Rest Peacefully / Endings

                      Rest Peacefully

When I first saw the stark black print
on the white paper like background
starting with R.I.P.
I sat staring blankly.
Not wanting to move,
hoping against hope
something would happen
to change the name that followed.
Yes, the lump in the throat rose up
with the words, “Oh no,” escaping.
The tears would come later.

The sky is clear and cool this morning.
The day after.
I listened to a recording
of your voice.
I smiled recalling your words to me
in a brief conversation,
so very long ago.
It was enough to know we had made contact.

I found myself at the ocean’s front
sitting in the sand just looking -
remembering.
Pausing as another friend said this day.
“You caused us to pause and still do .”*
He was right.

As were you.

So I paused thinking about you
and the many words you crafted together
in unforgettable thoughts . . . and memories.
You changed lives in those thoughts.
You made people care for each other
and to care for themselves . . .
and dogs, and sunsets,

and all cats named Sloopy.

I’ll always think of you
when Charlie Brown days enter my life,
or when it rains.
I hope where you are
it is indeed “A Safe Place to Land.”**

(* By Chris)
** Mr. McKuen’s homepage.

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~



                 Endings . . .

Endings come too soon
for those of us who loved you
and cared about you.

Rainy day writings
Or pausing to make us think
Daily flight plans sent

Memories abound
Chasing sunsets, dogs, and dreams
Kind thoughts for us all

Under warm sunshine
Each of us will remember
Notes of love by Rod.

Gravelly voice heard
deep inside my memory
and your smiling eyes.

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note

Remembering

Reviews

[Sara Mercury]

When you describe hearing their voice in a recording, a tear came to my eye. I once owned a recording of my mother reading a poem that ended with "I love you." After she died, I played that tape over and over again, just to hear her say the words I would never again hear on earth until it wouldn't play anymore.

I get it.

Great job!

[Michael G.]

Sara Mercury Thom,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with me. Everything you wrote about, "I get, also." It is rare these days I come to the Cafe. I'm thankful for your kind thought for this memory of mine. I'm honored it brought forth one as lovely as yours.
Michael

[Nila M.]

This is very touching and a beautiful homage. I lost my grandparents recently and wish I had the ability to process those feelings with this much tenderness and honesty. Thank you.

[Michael G.]

Thanks Nila. That's very kind of you. Sorry about your grandparents. It is never easy, no matter who they are. My Mom past away just last week.
May I offer that when you do speak of those feelings, just let your heart guide your words. I've seen your work . . . you have more than enough ability, my friend.

[Nila M.]

Thank you so much. Getting to the heart is the tough part for me. People always tell me I intellectualize too much, it's probably true. I'm very sorry about your mom. Thank you for kind comments. And best wishes.

[Michael G.]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. They are appreciated.
Before I retired, I was a golf professional. One of the things I taught my students was getting their head out of the way of having a solid golf swing. (Those tips don't really work well for writing, by the way.) But when you do achieve that, you'll find the heart knows how to handle it. Don't over think . . . just allow it to happen.

[Nila M.]

That is wonderful advice, and believe me that I'll take it to heart. There's a type of zen archery that teaches a similar concept. I went to a driving range once and I couldn't even get the ball off of the ground. As a pro I thought you'd get a kick out of that haha. It's not as easy as it looks on tv.

[Michael G.]

I'm glad I could help. And yes, I got a kick out of that.

You were probably trying to hit the golf ball, and probably hard. I never taught anyone how to hit a ball. I taught them how to make a golf swing to where they wanted the ball to go. If it was a good swing, the ball simply got in the way of the club and went where you wanted it to go. If it wasn't, it went somewhere else. It is really that simple. Then there was the "secret" lesson that worked every time.

[Nila M.]

I was definitely trying to hit the ball. And I did hit it but it just rolled out in front of me along the grass. Never got how people could loft them up for hundreds of yards.

[Valentine]

It isn't always easy to say good bye to even someone that we admire through his work. Good by does,'t seem like enough said. Valentine

[Michael G.]

Hi Kathie. You are right. Good bye seems rather small when knowing you will never get to say anymore to them.

Just a note, Mom lost her fight last week to Alzheimer's.

[An Ordinary Woman]

A wonderful sentiment to a wonderful author. I'm sure he approves.

[Michael G.]

I don't know if he would or not, pal. I would hope so. There's one of his songs on Utube, called, "September Comes Around Too Soon." It's well worth listening to.
143 pal!

[An Ordinary Woman]

Thanks and I'll check it out! 143 to you too! Hugs!

[Marie]

He left the world a better place than he found it.
Perhaps somewhere, beyond our scope, he still writes his poetry, sings his songs.
Or he simply adds his being to the Great Source. And that would be okay with him too.

[Michael G.]

He most certainly did, didn't he? And I think you are right, Marie . . . it would be okay with him, too.
Thank you so much for your comment.