LONGING FOR D'KODA

My heart beats different now,
On June 20, 2022, at 9:15pm, my soul left too.
Held her close as she took her last breath,
And mine stopped beating in sync with hers, in death.

The room was quiet, her heart still,
Beautiful cold skin, silence deafening, my mouth dry and face wet from burning tears

Lost my best little friend, had to leave her there,
Walked endlessly to the parking garage, nothing normal anywhere.

Was I dreaming? Lost the feeling of feeling real,
My soul screamed for understanding, hope, and peace to reveal.
Arrived home, but it wasn't home,
Gathered her things, preserved the smell, memories to hold.

My children looked to me for answers, but I had none,
Went to our room, broke down, couldn't breathe, chest caving in, alone.
Take me now, God, I thought, I can't be here without my daughter.
It's 2025, and I miss her more with each passing day.

Her sweet voice, infectious laugh, enthusiasm for learning, all gone.
No parent should outlive their child, no comfort after losing a piece of yourself.
My D'Koda was everything, and I wait patiently to see her again,
To hold her close, give her kisses, run in sunflower fields, lost in love's sweet refrain.

My D'Koda.

Ayanna Edwards is a published author who explores various genres, including dark fiction, nonfiction, short stories, and novels. As a devoted mother, she balances her passion for storytelling with her family life. With a love for crafting compelling narratives, Ayanna continues to push the boundaries of her creativity.