In October

I cup your ashes

in my trembling

hand

 

A cold gray heap

with traces of white

surprisingly free of scent

 

Above the sky so blue

the sun highlighting

the tops of the trees below

 

The ridge of limestone

overlooking rattlesnake point

our favorite place

 

The wind always

whispers gently here

today it moans my pain

 

From this vantage point

the clouds look whiter

and the sky bluer

 

In early autumn

the trees are slowly

showing their changing colours

 

It’s surprisingly cold

up here today

all this sun is deceiving 

 

Or perhaps it’s just me

I’ve put this request off

not knowing if I could honour it

 

Not carrying out your wishes

haunts me in my alone hours

so here I am today

 

You and I

on the ridge

we loved this view

 

Today the sun

high above

casts only one shadow

 

Here I stand alone

with you in my hands

and a broken heart that won’t heal

 

The gods take pity on me

dark clouds move in

rain on its way

 

Droplets falling hard

turning my face upwards

rain and tears flow

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'in October'
MCS,
I loved the weaving of emotion and nature's beauty in this one. The memories, sharing and the focus on love and what it stood for. You show how to do the right thing. Moving forward in tiny tentative steps. I feel the reality of loss in your words and also the hope for the future as you deliver your loved ones ashes. It is like a special occasion, a ceremony. Beautifully done.
Blessings,
Kathy

[kdarcy]

A sad but true moment of life on this plain, sorrowful moments run parallel to celebrations ... a frown is a smile turned upside down. Very touching and well written thoughts always come from the heart ... I felt the loss and great sadness, as I too stood there. Be well, thanks for sharing

[Nativespirit]

I had thought to read about autumn, the color of October but you take your reader deep inside that which should carry a warning, 'beware, heartabreak ahead'. Beautifully written, deeply felt.

I wrote words such as these not too long ago when, at that last final moment, I said good-bye to two of my sons.