All of Her

Holding them in our hands,

neatly cut, well printed

photographs of moments,

and people now gone.

Here we are at our wedding.

Just you and I, your father,

and the judge at the town hall.

Here we are standing

in front of your parents house.

Here we are at the rehab center

visiting your mother 

right after we married.

She looked so overjoyed.

Even now, sitting at the table,

I can see her here, 

across from me, lighting up,

smiling, singing, 

making me laugh

and her herself as well.

Do you understand

how much of herself

lives on in you?

 

Grounded

How far will the birds fly today?

How high will they ascend?

From a distance

how small will they appear?

Standing on the ground

can you imagine

such creatures taking flight?

From behind a window

watching the grey cold

covering the sky

you wonder

of your mother's health

as she rests in a hospital room.