his voice stronger
still shaking with Parkinsons
with news that he fell
but laughing- only bent, not broken
the bruises left of long life
life now without wife
and home
he talks of people gone
and grandchildren grown
and tells me
‘I’ve not forgotten you’.
its the disappearing
graying of temples
and long standing walls
leaning now on their memories
how quickly they leave
disappearing in
neglect, left to collect dust
on old photographs and letters
they were here once
busy like you, late to work
and laughing, making love
and meals, raising their voices
and children, living
ah, there’s the rub
the dead are left to their own devices
playing bridge and counting clouds
leaving the living to go around
in their immortal mortality
while the ashes cool
and death never takes a holiday
Its the result of all things left behind,
those by default or determination
without so much as a backward glance
or sorrowful surrender.
Its dusting off the year’s funk,
tossing habits and had-tos
into the bin,
reaching for the latch of tomorrow
and slamming
the
screen
door
shut!
his eyes sparkled
I remember
his spark
his very being sparkled
effervescent sparkles
glitter and shine
laughter that bubbled up
into sparkles of joy
he sparkled
*** my brother, Frank Allen Gresham – oh how he sparkled
I looked it up
the etymology is from Old English
blod – blood – bless
our blessing
deep as bone
life giving
in every fiber
of our being
no matter the situation
we can’t change it
any more than we can live without it
we are blessed
ask and it will be given
just be sure
you know what you’re asking for
cause there are many doors
to be opened
and many answers
to the same question
sit
breathe
take stock
come to your senses
then stand with feet planted firmly on the doorstep
knock
there is a hand on the latch already
the journey has been overwhelming
the road long and arduous
with pitfalls
and wrong turns taken
only to double back
to crossroads and bad directions
maps scribbled quickly
on the back of my hand
and instructions
both kindly given and some
not so much
straight and narrow paths
stumbling blocks and rocky roads
have led me here
right now
to a place
if not smooth
at least well paved with good intentions
I will release this burden
kick off these dusty boots
and rest here for a while
