Carpe Diem
In 2017, one of my best friends passed away due to a motorcycle accident. While I don’t usually write poetry, I tend to find that writing it helps me overcome any strong emotions I might be feeling, especially grief. I unfortunately have had the experience of grieving the loss of many loved ones in my life, both close friends and family. Zachary Diem was no exception. I first met Zach in 2015 at UNC, as he had been my then-boyfriends roommate. Zach was always there for me and never judged me for the decisions I made and I could truly be 100% myself around him. One of my favorite memories of him comes from just a few nights before the accident. We walked to the Nerd Store in Downtown Greeley to see a guy I liked at the time, and we talked about life and what the future holds for both of us. In just the few years I knew him, he taught me that life is meant to just live and that it’s okay to take risks. While his last name being Diem was the main inspiration for this poem, he truly lived by the words “seize the day” and never let anything or anyone stop him from doing what he loved. Even though it’s now been 7 years since he passed away, I still miss him greatly. While I know he would belittle and make fun of me for writing a poem for him and getting a tattoo in his honor, I know he would be proud about the person I’ve become today.
It's amazing how fast
Everything can change.
We want moments to last,
No matter how strange.
We dream of the future,
But rarely the past.
Then we get thrown into stupor,
Wishing to go back.
We look too forward; too far,
Too blind to even see
Just how close we all are,
Even when standing right next to me.
My mind and heart are full
With memories like a museum.
Today you taught me one rule,
And that is carpe-diem.
I still wish it weren't true,
And I wish you were here.
Again someday I'll see you,
But for now, I keep you near.
