I Will Never See a Flower in Her Hair

No clashes over curfew
No arguing about mall trips
   skirt length
   too much makeup
   too slick boys

No charged silences
broken      only
by the ring of an incoming text

No sass no backtalk
followed by a quick hug
and a “see you later”

No shopping together
for a prom dress
or heels

No laughing
at the salesgirl so hungry
for a sale

No laughing
ever

Grief has no edges
No shelf life
No breath

They say it’s too soon to talk about it
Offer thoughts and prayers

Perhaps they will help me
choose
a dress
for
her
coffin