Her hands clasped to mine
we walked along autumn’s path
crunching beneath our feet
the remnants of yesterday’s glory
she picked up a leaf
what I thought was dew was a tear
“why do you cry, my love?”
my eyes thoughtful
“life is perishing beneath our feet
we are crushing aged spring
we walk the burial ground of the seasons”
“press this amber leaf against your heart
feel its resonating warmth
hear him tell you his story
let it be a reminder of the past
then welcome the new season
a time for ends and reflection
reach your hands to grasp the snowflakes
purity falls over barren trees
and spring returns to remind us
of that which we have lost
and of that which we might gain”
“another year of this loss?”
I saw her eyes pool
“I don’t think I can bare it”
“but another year of promise as well
life, love and new beginnings
those too will grow in the coming year
one day we will look back
the skeletons beneath our feet
will not sound like death with each step
I will once again look up
and see life blossoming in your eyes”
This week marks the second anniversary of the death of a child in our neighborhood who was tragically swept away by a flash flood The lights represent candles and sentiments that lined the family’s driveway last year. Blue ribbons hang, year round, on our trees, sign posts and mailboxes in memory of this loss..
penned in moon dust 