Amelia

the clever one, she’ll do well

she makes everything look easy

an old head on young shoulders

the glue that holds us together

there’s no need to worry about her,

these rich superlatives

now tumble freely like sixes

thrown from beyond the grave,

to the wounded bird that must

once again learn to how to fly,

when all the sympathies 

and condolences are spent

flowers dead, cards packed away

photographs perused

a calmness will descend

and healing will fracture the sorrow

new feathers, new wings, desire

to fly up once again

(written for a young woman who lost her father this week)

*

© Graham Sherwood 10/21