For Bede
(2014)
Her smile was like gold, Her lines were often bold, Her stories of wisdom told, In books that are now sold. She has left the earth,
This is the America I know: A sea of white, black, red, yellow And brown faces, Strong minds and voices Raised to the sun,
At that magical time When the yellow moon Sets, And the pink mist Of dawn,
Standing at a crossroad Between this life And the next, Heart in hand I knock on that
Brown hawk with spotted tail, soaring on the wind, balancing like a sail. Your piercing cry
As I enter my sixty-third year, Fall leaves grace the path I love, With hues of red, Gold and orange.
On a walk this morning, the rocky cliffs that reach the blue-green sea, talk of strength today.
The many places I have been And countless faces I have seen, The many tales to be told, Into the universe, they unfold. It’s all a passing show,
Lately, a sadness pervades, I mourn for youth, perhaps passion of younger days. With age, some of that passion
Firefly shine your light, Brighten my life, Lead the way, through The meadows, in my mind. Firefly, float so high,
It is what it is Despite my wishes for it, Otherwise. You are who you are Despite my expectations,
Some days you’re in bliss, Some days you’re in pain. Some days you’re up in the clouds, Some days you’re down in the flame… Some days you get what you want
Yellow finches Line the bird feeder Against Spring’ s canopy Of green and purple tapestry. Back and forth they go
Time is going by fast, Trying not to live in the past, To keep priorities straight And not falter at the gate. To join the universal goal
Twilight slides in quietly as birds fly to warm nests. Pink hues of evening reflect in the clouds. Soon the moon