Days went by as she screamed in her sleep
She whined and cried like a fetus so weak
Her mind was scattered and bruised by the pain
And all I could do was lay beside her
Unable to share any of it in vain

Until late one night she lay silent in bed
With a smile so soft, without a tear in place
With soft words so subtle, and a voice so sweet
She raised her head slightly and whispered quietly to me
“Good night, son” and fell silent in sleep.
I for once, was finally at peace
And so with a quick sigh of relief soon too fell asleep
But it wasn't till late next day, when I woke up
That I found myself sitting next to her, cold as ice
Her face was pale, her body had gone stiff
It was then it had hit me, that now forever she was gone
It was then that I realized it is forever she has slept.

I cried and wept that day like never before
Frozen like her, paralyzed, unable to move no more.

Yesterday he asked permission to kiss her.
"When pigs fly!" she said, with a laugh and a scoff.
Today he marched in holding a pig with wings
Duct-taped on (so they wouldn't fall off).

He tossed it in the air, I swear it did fly
I know because I saw him kiss her goodbye.

life can be less than a pleasure
in this place where the rest are weathered
preset on a quest forever
resorting to their desperate measures

life can be light as a feather
when you'er blessed in the test of endeavor
regret for the best is never
and everything just comes together

I will let this happen.
I will wash all away.
I will melt into your body
as it keeps my mind at bay.
I will not over-think
I will not think at all.
I will simply enjoy it
let you leave me enthralled.
I will not question my feelings
I will not indulge the doubts.
I will let you remind me
what our love is about.
I will not weep anymore
unless the tears are of joy
or the beautiful fact
that you are my boy.

Hey Father Death, I'm flying home
Hey poor man, you're all alone
Hey old daddy, I know where I'm going

Father Death, Don't cry any more
Mama's there, underneath the floor
Brother Death, please mind the store

Old Aunty Death  Don't hide your bones
Old Uncle Death  I hear your groans
O Sister Death  how sweet your moans

O Children Deaths go breathe your breaths
Sobbing *******'ll ease your Deaths
Pain is gone, tears take the rest

Genius Death  your art is done
Lover Death  your body's gone
Father Death  I'm coming home

Guru Death your words are true
Teacher Death I do thank you
For inspiring me to sing this Blues

Buddha Death, I wake with you
Dharma Death, your mind is new
Sangha Death, we'll work it through

Suffering is what was born
Ignorance made me forlorn
Tearful truths I cannot scorn

Father Breath once more farewell
Birth you gave was no thing ill
My heart is still, as time will tell.

July 8, 1976 (Over Lake Michigan)

If there is a place for truth in this world, I hope it is here.