My Gatekeeper

Every voice needs an ear

 for it to be free

 

Every writer, a reader,

 or the words cease to be

 

In my case I’ve been lucky

 though she came to me late

 

For my dearest sweet Laura

 —the key to my gate

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2018)

       ‘To My Dear Friend Laura’

 

The Joy I’m Without

I walked with Colby,

 he never walked with me

 

His spirit to guide us,

 his love in the lead

 

We circled the globe

 a time and a half

 

His tail was my compass

 to guide us steadfast

 

In all kinds of weather

 we stuck to the trail

 

Under sunshine and rain

 our forays prevailed

 

In May of last year

 he collapsed on our walk

 

And with valor he tried

 but his body would balk

 

Its been downhill since then

 with him not knowing why

 

The knowing inside me

 his neuropathy slide

 

I knew it was coming

 as he struggled to stay

 

And he fought till the end

 on this very sad day

 

As I looked in his eyes

 for the last final time

 

Willing to give up my life

 for his health to revive

 

The fates were against us

 his clock had run out

 

The pain in his parting

 —the joy I’m without

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November 9th, 2018)

 ‘Today, I lost The Best Friend I Ever Had’

 

 

 

Eternity Smiles

Caught in the same web

  of insecurity

 

  —we write

 

To ease the pain, to emancipate

  the joy

 

  —speaking truth to our doubts

 

Freeing them upon the wind, all

  questions unanswered

 

  —as our voices escape

 

Crying out names that only heaven

  will know

 

  —while eternity smiles

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)