I imagine the lakes as the tears I never
Cried, in the hope that they somehow
Came out after all as lashing rain
From the heavy northern sky.

I wish you childhood memories under
Sapphire blue streaked with careless
Brush strokes of white, framed by
Forests and imagination.

People spread like spilled ink, further
And paler into the unmarked expanse
Of blank paper. Fresh white paint
Pealed and dulled, and neatly trimmed
Grass was overgrown with weeds, but
We stayed where we were.

Eventually I outgrew the nest and
Flew away, but somewhere along
That line you became a memory
That creeps up on me and
Makes me wonder if you have
Found your wings yet.

I wish you a life of beauty and love,
And I wish you knew that I still
Think of you, my precious friend
Who helped me through so much.

I wonder if you ever bathe in lakes
Of my not quite tears, look beyond
The lush trees to the distant east,
And think of me.

05/16/2011

Posted on 09/05/2011
Copyright © 2025 Richard Vince