the strength of memory

i wondered what would remain

when it seemed that

so much was being lost...forgotten

sitting with you in silence

you reached for my hand

and held it for a very long time

i hardly dared to breathe

not wanting to break the spell

when the tears came

i let them fall

you were leaving

and your struggle

was so hard to witness

for i could see

that in the last days of your life

you remembered

everything

push-me-pull-you

what was that you said?

"don't come."

but i came anyway

and you were happy

i didn't listen

then you said

"don't leave."

but we both knew

i had to go

you came to admire

my strength

not realizing that

like dr. doolittle's

push-me-pull-you

we shared

the same backbone

savannah

how can i explain savannah

her beauty transcends words

still, i search for them

knowing that you, too,

have such places of the heart

that place where

once you pass into her

your first impulse

is to weep for joy

imagine yourself there

and you will know

my city

my home

asana

sit down

there's something

you need to hear

pay attention to the wound

the thin red line is speaking

i come to the garden

gentle lady, mother of nine

widowed too young

no time to grieve, life had to go on

times were hard

in later years,

when you could take some ease

you planted the whole front yard

on clemson street with flowers

a little outpost of eden

you were already white-haired

and worn

when i came to know you

i loved the way you poured coffee

into the saucer for me

laced with sugar and lots of cream

you would pat my hand and say

"come sit near granny"

and i would snuggle up beside you

my head on your bosom

i did not know then

what i know now

how age and

the cares of this world

catch up with us in the end

how i wish i could roll back time

and join you in the garden

once again

morning glory

beautiful brief flower

born for morning

you fill me with longing

for the land of eternal day