At the Cremation

At the Cremation

Smoke filled the air

Joy and sadness mingled with dust

Twisting writhing spirits in the sky

Dreaming of the day we touched the ground

All the love and time that streamed across the plane

And wound down

The pyre floating in the sea

We watched for remnants

Of what used to be

All of our memories

Written across the sky

How could we be happy

But we needed to be

As this is what was meant to be

Time is just a measure

It’s the words that create the page

The chapter ends

Another begins

Eyes staring out across a horizon

Of light

All clouds unobscurred the path

A smile and a conversation had

As tomorrow might not be so sad

The journey begins today

Discarding the weight of the body

That reaches the sky

That touches us with rings of smoke

And all the loved ones wave goodbye

The portrait measures its final stroke

And we remember all the words,

Written or spoke

How will they see us tomorrow

When we’re on our way

What will they say another day

When the wound is somewhat healed

Only a glimpse of the pain

For the soul that’s gone away

We wait here on the shores

And will follow

One day soon

To rise among the embers

Of our lives

and forever shine anew.

9-26-11