For Bede
(2014)
For my love of 36 years
Brown hawk with spotted tail, soaring on the wind, balancing like a sail. Your piercing cry
Old friends walking on the beach, the waves bring in, memories, of carefree days;
Driving through the small towns of America, children of all colors playing in the streets, some with tattered clothes
Memories of my childhood Visit more and more Each day, As ghosts of past relatives Cast their shadows,
As I age this last quarter of my life, I am fading into the background. As I let go of roles,
When I first heard “The Blackbird,” In the middle Of night, I was just thirteen.
White heron skidding the blue, grey water, of the bay. How free and easy you make it look,
On this New Year’s Eve Direction lost Drifting like blowing snow To and fro. A freeze comes
Red, yellow and orange leaves Fall quickly now And create a tapestry of color That fill my mind With joy.
Pretend there is no tomorrow becau… there might not be. Live like there is only this momen… that is the truth. Nothing is solid but whispery,
An owl hoots on this cool, crisp Spring night. A sound that’s distant yet echos
I remember your smile, your laugh,… you gave so freely. It’s hard that you are gone. I sigh and walk along the bay.
There is my shadow, A dark outline of this body And yet, it also holds,
Life is not fair at times... But of course things Change quickly down the line, We are born into a No guarantee world.
Holy Holy Morning glory Blooming in a haze Of purple light. Holy Holy