Dearest Clarissa

You would have been 24 today,

and in all likelihood we probably 
would have drifted apart, two kayaks 
in the rapid white waters of this world.

You would have been 24 today, 
and maybe we would have laughed 
about our lives and the decisions
we made at night underneath the sheets.

You would have been 24 today, 
and I would have called you Mayumi 
through a not so smart cellular device while 
you sang that one sweet song of yours. 

You would have been 24 today,
and I should have made sure that you
always knew how much you were treasured.
(Ironically) it kills me that you felt so alone. 

But you would have been 24 today,
And I would have bought you flowers, 
the kind that bloom ever so slowly, 
just to see your beautiful smile.