bed-side on the last day

grandson,

do no weep
when my breath
hangs here

suck it into your lungs
and i will live
with you forever.

winter will come
shadows lengthen
nights will hold memories
of warm nights
by warm fires

my finger tips will be gone
but my breath
will careen through you
until it crashes into your heart
and lodges there
with you
forever.

the rasp my voice will smooth
but my words
will sharpen on your tongue
until they slice away the boy
and reveal you
a man

grandson,
do not weep
when my eyes close
and I rest.

arise. awake.
be alive.
you are my dream.

spring will come
daffodils will leap up
a highway of gold
before you
behind you
inside you.

my eyes will be gone
but my breath
will shade your eyes
i will see that robin
that sings to you

my tongue will stop
but my song
will be the rhythm of your heart
until we are one song
and our lyrics
are love.

grandson,
do not weep
where I go
you will follow

my path is your path
my life is your life

Summer passes
Autumn arrives

breathe, my grandson
breathe