Like to the sun-tanned rocks was his skin;
Gold with a tiny shade of gray.
Like to the curling moss clinging to the trunks of oaks
Was his wise beard.
Here we see a spirit of the river.
This Free Spirit, as old and wise as the boulders
That shape curves in the waters,
And yet as young and fresh as the newborn dragonflies
That fly through the air and between trees.
Here we see a spirit,
One whose lips were shaped in a constant smile,
One whose lungs evoked constant laughter,
One who never ceased to love those around him,
Nor cease to love himself.
Here is a Free Spirit,
Now in the next world,
Playing paddle ball on the beach.
Here is a Free Spirit,
At peace and smiling.

*This poem is dedicated to my dear friend Daniel Free Spirit, who passed away last week. Though the river will never be the same without his playful self there, his spirit is in the water, the rocks, the sand, and the trees. I will always greet his spirit with a kiss to the wind. Rest in peace my friend.

Do not stand at my grave and weep..
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry..
I am not there. I did not die.

though i've tried, but in vain;
for it's me, you still blame.

our relationship, a razor blade;
a beautiful diamond, ruby red.

smoothing out edges, no one dared;
all i'm left, is shattered and shred.

we won't go back now,
keeping to our vows.

drenched in a world of silence,
hoping to deface violence.

She was once a strong woman,
Over time she grew weak,
But that isnt quite the truth,
Because,
As her body grew weak,
Her heart grew strong,
She was an angel on Earth,
Now she will be an angel else where,
As sad as it is to see her go,
Think,
Atleast she is no longer in pain,
Someone who has been here,
My entire life and longer
I dont know how im going to cope,
As long as i do cope,
I think she will be happy,
She was loved by everyone,
I never heard her name spoken negatively,
She had no enemies,
Her heart was open,
She doesn't care about your past,
She loved everybody no matter,
Now she must leave this world,
But she remains in the hearts,
She left us her memories,
She changed us all,
She no longer has to be afraid,
She no longer needs to suffer the pain,
It's hard to believe she is flying with the angels,
But she was an angel,
Put here on Earth,
Now she will be deeply missed,
Rest In Peace.
December 20, 1950
May 9, 2013

If there is any life when death is over,
These tawny beaches will know much of me,
I shall come back, as constant and as changeful
As the unchanging, many-colored sea.

If life was small, if it has made me scornful,
Forgive me; I shall straighten like a flame
In the great calm of death, and if you want me
Stand on the sea-ward dunes and call my name.

In Inferno, in a lurid inferno, smell of the dead bodies
Extreme lustful, famished, ferocious, poisonous worms are in a procession of merriments.
Swarthy, in grave swarthy, a sightless life, listening only lamentation
Coming, someone is coming towards me to help but no intention.
Having seen the face of light very little light, Brother, listen to me, “we are two souls in one.”
I see death through the death “Will you save my son?”
                          
“ Oh Mom, why are you lamenting? Why are you smacking your heart? I feel pain for that
May I get a few drops of water? I will not beg yours milk, I am not frightened by death.
From an Inferno I have witnessed another inferno
Swimming in the ocean of blood instead of crying, I am the bravado.
See mom- no tears in my eyes; get up mom to see your child’s face
You came alone? I can’t find my father’s face in this death’s race.
I will sleep mom, I will see the world through my death
In the eternal world I will call you “Mom” this is my eternal oath.

Death stands above me, whispering low
I know not what into my ear:
Of his strange language all I know
Is, there is not a word of fear.

Anxiety and depression
collide within me;
a tornado raging,
stealing my air,
pulling me in.
The debris of my life,
swirling around,
destroying everything
threatens my death.
Fight or flight --
my legs are tired;
my fists are weak.
The storm grows black;
I cannot move.