Just as a perfect rose

Majestically stands alone

Upon your pedestal

Perched center stage

You are at home

A flawless image

Cultured and poised

You command the room

Captivating those 

Who’ve come in reverence 

To witness your elegance

As your talent unfurls

Firmly rooted, they’re mesmerized

By this mellifluous serenade

That unfolds,

Just as petals of a delicate rose

While love rains tenderly 

Under a thundering applause

This gracious garden grows

In thankful repose

On this special night

Time, a single thorn

Brings the eve to a close

As excited anticipation ignites

Bold red flares take flight

Then descend so gently 

Just as falling petals 

Of an exquisite rose

An enchanting sight

And a lovely way to, 'Say Goodnight'

Bravo, beautiful Rose

As my feet slowly slip 

Beneath the endless sand

Waves appear as mountains

As I go under again

I find myself gasping for air

Unable to breathe

Relentless, the powerful sea 

Washes over me

Hard to believe its gentle touch

May offer me an end

As I drift my eyes capture

The wings of a soaring bird

Suddenly it lifts me

Carries me 

I'm free

How I wish that I had written this

Just a few days ago

When you could have read it 

Then I’d be sure 

That you would know 

How much we love you 

For all that you have been 

A loving mother, y Abuela 

And our trusted friend

How I wish that I could tell you now

Just how much you’ve meant

How often you are thought of 

And how much you will be missed

You taught us so much 

About unconditional love 

How sacrifice and forgiveness

Offer a meaningful life

Through tears, laughter 

And abrazos

We shared so much life

It's now so hard 

To say goodbye

I hope that you know

That you’ll remain 

Forever in our hearts 

And always in our minds

How I wish that I had written this

Just a few days ago

To tell you

That you are so loved

And that our love 

Will never die

There was a sudden storm

Whose raging winds

Blew our world apart

For years we tried

To pick up the pieces

To move forward

To move on

Our dreams disappeared

Within the darkness 

Days drifted into years

As we methodically or 

Mechanically tried

To fit the pieces

Back together again

We gave it our very best

Although we were missing one

Love remained, yet buried away

For fear that it too may vanish one day

We made it through, we three

We survived

But how do we 

Face another tragedy

How do we say goodbye

After all we’ve weathered through

Can’t we try 

To find the love

That we saved in that far away place

Remember what made us whole

Unpack and let it go

Try to forgive the forecast

Of that dreadful day

Let storms pass

As they may

Look deep inside, to try to find

The love we vowed to keep

That corner piece

That missing link

To be replaced

When calm returned

To restore or complete

The puzzle that was once our life

That with our love 

Managed to survive

A single seed

In search of a home 

To find its roots

A place to grow

Alone

In darkness

It waits

For life to begin

As it evolves

Nurtured by time

Its strength

A will to survive

Eventually rendering

Fruit to bear

A life fulfilled

As time prevails 

As seasons pass

Impossible to curtail

The passage of time

But moments reside

Sewn firmly

Within our minds

Where time stands still

And generations 

Remain in bloom

Coincide and resume

Lush landscapes 

Resilient roots 

A family tree 

That began 

As a seed

That lives on

A field of memories

Planted securely

Within our mind

Her face within the mirror

Peering cautiously

Somewhat distant

As though she’s

Searching for yesterday

Fine lines around her eyes

Convey her story

In total honesty

A rendering of changes 

Seen quite visibly

This definition of

A life well lived

Etched deeply

By lessons learned

Along the way

A mere price to pay

As receipt 

For a family well raised

Her strong hands

That comb through

Painted streaks of gray

She watches

As they fall 

To gently frame her face

Her expression 

A thoughtful acceptance

Drawn so deliberately

Without the need

Or attempt to erase

Her honest legacy

This confirmation of 

Seasons passed

A generous gift 

Not all are fortunate 

To receive

She’s gained so much 

A grateful life

With tender memories

The mirror tells her story

There’s truth in what she sees

Not solely an appearance 

Rendered on

Reflective glass

There’s so much more to see

Words of thought

A well so deep

Their meaning buried

For safety keep

Emotions

Sculpted and etched

Perfectly planned

Whispered quietly

To pen in hand

Their beauty unshared

To only plain 

Pages of white

A love denied

As petals drop 

And seasons change

Letters folded and frayed

Buried tightly away

While she lies

Again on this night

As words age

In lonely silence

She waits