before she could

she didn’t get to see her soccer team win their last game.
she didn’t get to see through teary eyes, him on one knee, his arm extended with his hand holding that velvet box and the ring she always imagined.
she didn’t get to see him waiting at the end of the aisle dressed in that smart tuxedo and bow tie.
she didn’t get to hold his hand as they took their first steps as a married couple.
she didn’t get to fall asleep on his shoulder as they flew to their honeymoon destination.
she didn’t get to experience the joy of looking into her baby’s eyes for the first time.
she didn’t get to hold her screaming child after the little one fell off her bike and scraped her knee.
she didn’t get to buy a house with him.
she didn’t get to pick out furniture with him.
she didn’t get to pick out the color of the house with him.
she didn’t.
she didn’t.
she didn’t.
~
she died before she could.
she took her last breath before she could.
her heart stopped before she could.
her eyes closed before she could.