I remember when the grass was green here,

And your pond reflected the light of the sky.

And her eyes reflected the light within her.

She walked proud and beautiful as

A vision, down the white steps, past the eyes of us all.

And so we danced round and round, joyful, glad to be alive,

Glad your lawn was green then, and your water was blue.

I remember walking in the cool warmth of dusk

Through your fields and your trees. Touching the

Water with fingers of fire, the sun sank slow behind black

Branches; and still the birds were calling as night

Began to fall. And I walked across your bridge,

Barefoot across your green, green grass, and up

Those white stairs, joyful, glad to be alive,

Glad your sun was bright then, and your

water was still blue.

I remember when we were all here, and

The table reflected the reason we gathered together,

And our hearts and our faces reflected the light of

Why we had come: because we are family,

If only for one day. And we were thankful then,

As only family can be, and joyful, glad to be alive,

Glad your house was a haven to us all, and your

Kindness was true.

I remember the laughter that was here, your

Smiling face. I remember how your hand stretched

To pull me across a freezing stream is one of my first

Clear memories; your face is one of my first

Clear memories, and your voice I’ve known

My whole life. And I remember your spirit, your

Vibrant color, and your joy, so glad to be alive,

Glad you could see the grass, so green, and the

Water so blue.

I remember. But now, I look out your window and

There is no sun today, will be no sun tomorrow, and

I dare not go outside for the chill is much too cold.

And your grass is straw. Your water is brown and darkened

Grey, just like these stone stairs, down which many

A child’s foot has passed; down which many a time

Your foot, too, once passed. But never again will it

Climb down to the water, down to the tangled

Weeds and broken limbs. And I cannot find it in me

Anywhere, in any hidden place at all,

To be joyful, or glad to be alive,

When all I see is your grass, once green, and you

Water, once blue.

We remember. Forgive us these recollections,

For they are all for love of you. And send to us

The strength to try to remember, that where

You are now you are joyful, glad to be alive,

And where you step now the grass is always green, and His

Water is shining blue.