From garden green we began the climb,

Rising up from heirloom vines,

In northern shadows born to strive,

Towards freedom on the other side.

And even though we fought to rise,

We found but one way to survive,

To intertwine our aging lives,

Which held us up from time to time.

Against the stone lashed weather's grind,

Where mortar weakens, water finds.

A frozen swell behind the lines,

Opened a gap where you went with your mind.

You shot through the crack and into the bright,

Between the space and into the light,

Feelings fleeting, then you went blind,

Shedding the burden of holding on tight.

And in the place where you now reside,

In solemn slumber on satin you lie.

You'd like to tell us not to cry,

Feel pity, anger, or agonize.

Once your blossoms drooped and died,

You saw that living itself is the prize;

We should never fail to recognize,

It's a gift we have, this thing called life.

(c) 2008