Vigil by Valerie Parente

I mourn all the art
that doesn’t see the light of day.
I mourn all the words
that go unread on a page.

I mourn all the means of expression
that get stifled within.
I mourn all the girls who play dumb
and turn codependent.

I mourn all the universe’s signs
that people ignore.
I mourn all the sullen voices
begging to be heard.

We hold these vigils
to guide the way for those lost
may the light of a trillion candles
illuminate their path out the dark.

– Valerie Parente (8-29-2026)