Obituary/Ash Golownia

my parents haven’t heard 
the news; their youngest
daughter has died

they mistake
me for Her

i haven’t found
the heart
to tell them, so i
take on Her mantle 

i sleep in
Her bed i wear
Her clothes

Her name becomes
my own

as i look into 
the dusty bathroom mirror
i remind myself that
we are not the same

yet still I can’t help
but see Her in me

Her name feels
like venom from
my parent’s mouths
i try to hide it

one day i will tell them
but not yet

instead i grieve 
alone in Her room
I write Her obituary
only to throw it in the trash

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Ash Golownia is a first-year student studying English with a concentration in creative writing. In addition to poetry, they enjoy writing fiction as a way to express their thoughts and emotions. When not writing, Ash can be found reading, playing games, and crying over spilled milk.