Snow falls–pure, floating silent on the breath of angels,

Soothing the harsh reality of winters abrasive chill.

We long for the newness of spring, but it cannot be;

Buds cannot blossom without the falling of seed.

Though the pain of withering seems eternal, it is, but life–

Reminding us that we will be called back to whence we came,

Back to the earth, back to the soil that nourished us,

Back to its enveloping arms for everlasting rest.

To those that remain, this offers little comfort.

A void is left that no other can fill,

Instead its life is to serve as a constant reminder–

A living testament to those that came before and are no longer here,

Exuding the beauty and goodness inherited through time.

Though their delicate flower, has sacrificed its petals to the wind

And their stems have crumbled to dust;

Their image remains forever embedded in memory,

Never forgotten–often replicated in their honor.

Just as the lowly flower, we are left to serve as reminders,

Reminders of the harshness of our own winter, that takes;

Yet still it welcomes the beauty of spring with open arms.

Though tainted with elements of sadness,

Spring does promise hope, hope in the joy of birth,

Joy in the remembrance of those departed,

Joy in the love shared, the warm kisses on the cheek,

The hugs, the laughter, the kindest of words;

Joy in having had the pleasure of knowing and being known,

Loving and being loved, cherishing and being cherished.

What greater honor is there in this momentary world?

I can think of none, nor would I trade them for another.

With longing and sorrow we say goodbye to one so loved,

Though our separation is as brief as our living.

We will reunite one day beyond this earth

Shedding this body and freeing our spirit as if no time at all had passed.

Placing our souls into the gentle hands of the Creator,

We take comfort that we will be cared for and cherished in Heaven

Just as we were cared for and cherished in life.

Say not farewell, for farewell tenders nothing but sadness and permanence,

“Until we meet again” seems much more apt

Be firm in the knowledge that we will…”meet again”

In a place of beauty amongst those that we have loved,

Never again to be parted.

 ~

~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

~

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I was asked to speak at my grandmother’s funeral a few days ago and had written a couple of poems that I thought I might read to honor her memory.  This is the one that I did not read, but I hope that you will enjoy it.