in crowds

another cancer
comes
and takes
the life of one you
love.
the sorrow is different now.
the adding
of dark
water to the pond
where once
there was none.
you heard of death,
read about it,
saw it on the big screen,
when you were young,
but not once
did that shadow
cross your path,
that hoarse
whisper find your ear,
like it does now,
in crowds.