My dear step-father, Joseph, passed away on June 3rd of a long-term illness. You will find his picture in the photo section at the bottom of my blog. In memory of Joe, I am posting “The Garden,” a poem I had written under my married name. This poem was first published in our family memoir, For the Time Being (Authorhouse, 2007).
Faithfully yours,
Mandy Berlin
*****
THE GARDEN
You found me crying in the garden for my sweet one who went away
His spirit's rising on the wind now, to greet the newness of the Day.
His sadness drops away like petals falling on a sparrow's nest
His joy is in the little creatures I hold so dearly to my breast.
His laughter's in the morning sunshine that lights my path along the way
His heart is hiding in the wildflowers I gather tenderly today.
His soul is searching for the New World, a world I have as yet to see
May his spirit find refreshment in some sweet river flowing free.
May the dove of peace alight now, on his shoulder on the way
May he pick the fruit of New Life to give him nourishment each day.
May he find his truest freedom in the World that lies beyond
And may his spirit lie in peace now until we meet again, at Dawn.
