Abbe

My mother gave me this black and white, unsmiling picture of my great-great grandmother, who died young and the only person in our family that I look even a little like.

Unsmiling face,
Serene, content.
Beauty and grace,
Quiet elegance.

Only a picture,
To know of you,
Can't be sure,
It tells the truth.

Did you feel complete,
Before you went away?
Did you yearn to keep,
The night from your day?

Did life ring true,
Your wishes fulfill?
Or was it too soon,
Time stood still.

A mirror's reflection,
My soul do I find.
A moment's inspection,
Clear, in my mind.

Much more you could tell me,
Were you still here today,
But in your eyes I do see,
A mist of a place.

A place we belong,
Shared memories of two,
A lovelorn song,
Never quite through.

A meadow of existence,
Wildflowers in moonlight,
Too quickly extinguished.
Captured n midflight.

Held aloft...
In a picturesque place,
Eyes so soft...
I see my face.

A stranger to me,
With my blood...tis true,
Though it could not be,
Somehow..I am you.

Dreamwind