she told me so

sammie jo's red hair always
flamed like her personality until
she lay in her coffin.

i was her favorite cousin.
she told me so
whenever we saw another,
grabbing me in a hug, warmed
me to the bone, linking
our souls for a moment.

i was her favorite even though
we were only related in spirit.

in truth,
sammie jo loved pain pills more.
she laid brain dead on the floor,
so unlike the girl i've loved.

but, so like her, she in the end
gave the most for everyone;
she lives on through her gifts of life.

i wonder who got her heart
because it's always been mine,
she told me so.




(for the redheaded wild child,
i've missed you so.)