To Michael (not forgotten), January 23, 1989
By Kathleen Bragle 
 
On gray winter days such as these
the memory of such anguish and pain
which were your life/death
seem almost muted.

The once choking pain which was every breath inhaled
now seems to retreat into the past
a vague hurt which
catches me, unprepared, with a dull ache.

The fear of forgetting- of your being forgotten
is suddenly more real
and with horror
I stop
and catch myself
and pause
and breathe deeply and REMEMBER

Dear baby, your life was real and never to be forgotten!