My Aunt 
Has died
But I hold her 
Tight  inside

I still have her name
My mother
Her sister 
Gave me her name
Her only sister
My middle name 

And “Proud Male”
a painting by Benjamin Chee Chee 
Which for 50 years
hung above her piano 
Is right there
On my wall

In North Carolina
A state she probably
Never saw

My Aunt 
Has died 
And there is 
One less person in the world who loves me.    

~ Robin J. Phillips, written between Oct. 23, 2022 – June 18, 2024
It takes some time to sum up a love so big