But Not Forgotten by Rory (California)

they say only the good die young 
but I’m saying they’re only good 
because they left us too early 
but I’m saying that too early 
can’t be early enough ​

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if a person can be an angel 
when they never get to be anything else 
I’m saying that no poetry 
could ever be as good as the unwritten 
whatever’s on the tip 
of a severed, silent tongue 
still quivering in the pen 
hanging from a cold hand 
I’m saying those are the places where infinity lives 

they say only the good die young 
but I’m talking 
and you’re driving 
and the car hasn’t swerved yet 
and I’m still holding onto gold stars from fifth grade
and so if you don’t mind I’ll just tell you my thoughts
in hopes they distract you from the endless road ahead

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Rory is currently a secondary school student in California with a passion for creative writing. Her work has previously been published in Trouvaille Review.