Rhonda (elegy)

we look through tear-filled eyes

at that wide smile 

smile of the

warrior

battling                 battling

demons

of death of spirit 

smile of the

mother

pride and love

blindingly bright 

smile of the

wife

partnering           completing

blanket of fulfillment 

smile of the

friend

listening               supporting

showers of joy 

smile of the

pilgrim

adventuring each day

determined gratitude 

even tears

fearing                  mourning

death’s terrors

can’t obscure that smile

Paul Ruben

you paint newness

in subtle colours and textures

a perfect nose

round cheeks

pliant red lips 

your brush describes arcs

head resting in crook of mother’s arm

dimpled hand touching throat

eyes lashed curves

sleeping sweetness 

backs of our fingers

lightly draw

across your sleeping face

sometimes your arms twitch

in a startle

infant dreams

filling your canvas of caresses

one step for life

one step first step

inside crowded hockey rink

yellow shirt

holding string tied to yellow balloon

many others like me

survivors 

one step first step

more of a shuffle really

beside hospital bed

pushing IV pole

after surgery

survival 

one step first step

chemo chair behind me

winter is almost done

and all that awaits is

the rest of my life

surviving 

one step first step

towards Zamboni door

and we all step out into drizzle

one foot in front of the other

till we hear the count

one two three

and release our balloons

yellow orbs rising on the wind

hope

survives

Lester Young

all is fresh

and lush

and smells clean after a spring shower as

you wait for him on park bench

cool air pleading for warm sun

two robins hop on grass

pulling fat worms from the moist ground

and then he shows up

           wearing that pork pie hat 

pencil thin moustache

above uncertain smile 

you begin your walk

at a slow steady pace

so you can enjoy the trees

and first flowers of spring

he seems to revel in every sight and sound

and chats quickly

not missing a single important

dynamic

along the way  

he refers to the truth of

spring

in the world

the birth

the rightness of rain

the chill of the wind

the welcome warmth of sun 

and then he turns

and you see his eyes

under the brim of that hat

pleading

pleading

pleading…