Uncle Mike

The time that I spent with you
And the memories we share,
Should be filled with happy moments,
Yet I feel nothing but despair.

I should have felt my heart break
When my mom said you had passed away,
But emotionless and emptiness
Was all I felt that day.

The anxiety of seeing you
And the nervous feeling that flooded my thoughts,
Now fill me with regret
When I realize through you, what I was taught.

The courage to make the right choice
And determination to follow through.
Saying no to what is wrong
Is what I’ve learned through you.

Your death was only a light rain.
No thunder, no lighting, no strive.
Now you’re somewhere better,
Where your thoughts can come alive.

Breathing does allow you to live,
But without feelings your life will end.
The thoughts that went through your head every day
Were nothing but pretend.

You were left in a permanent fog.
The disease invaded your soul.
There was nothing you could do.
It took complete control.

You would have been the best uncle
If you had had the ability to say no,
But that one decision changed your life
A full thirty years ago.

You suffered through three decades
With no purpose to life
Hallucinations and delusions
You dealt with so much strife.

But now you’re in a better place.
Your soul can finally rest.
Rebuild its self and carry on
To a life where you can be your best.

-- Kienan Brownrigg '12

Submitted by the author.  "To me, this poem is about a subject I hide from most everyone I know, but through a poetic medium, I was able to bring my feelings alive. I hope that through reading this, other people with hidden stories can express themselves in a similar manner."