The Angel on My Couch

We had nearly identical lives, eyes

Shared dreams, struggles

Both childhood victims of men, of justice

I lived, she died

I’ve played it in my head a thousand times

There is no explanation

*

As a teen, I whisper to her, tell her

Of loves, conflicts

No funeral, gravestone night visits

She is with me

She listens to me, replies honestly

We ride our bikes together

*

As an adult, she comes when I’m drowning

Losing battles

I see, feel her gliding gently down

To comfort me

I move over on the couch, she sits here

Her cold spirit gives me warmth

*

I tell her I’m losing faith in people

She brings it back

We talk, listen to music, silence

She laughs with me

She stands, begins to float away again

Still grinning, see you next time