I thought you knew

That it was all in jest

As I joked for fun 

And had a laugh

You never once complained

Or shed a tear 

You hid your pain 

As I concealed my fear

We’re quite a pair

You and I

Misunderstood, confused

Afraid to try

To speak our truth

Find the answers to why

Perhaps with time 

We’ll learn to change

To shed the masks

We wear so well 

And find the courage

Hopefully, with age

Until then

Take my hand 

Let’s leap together

Into this unknown land

I’ll break your fall

You’ll take a stand

Together we’ll learn 

Together we can

Pure white linen

Trimmed with lace

An heirloom borrowed

From an earlier day

A baby’s breath

Its soft caress

Felt gently upon our face

Red petals falling silently

Their edges, worn and dry

Gather together 

Slowly marking time 

A morning’s promise 

A cerulean sky

For a day 

Bathed in heavenly light 

Whose golden rays flicker 

Between bare branches 

Before the cold 

Of winter’s night

Each dawn brings change

As colors fade

And streaks of gray

Transform our lives

I try to envision

Exactly where you are

How far you’ve travelled 

Skating across the universe 

On the brightest shooting star

You left so quietly

Never wanting a fuss

Your goodnight 

A surprise for most

But you’ve known for a time

That you were more than ready

To begin your climb

To soar beyond

Lifes mundane

Abandoning stubborn pride

And yesterday’s pain

To discover

What’s beyond the stars

That shine so bright

Under a golden halo

Of astonishing light

But, try to remember

To send a sign

To let me know

That you’ve safely arrived

A shiny penny

Butterfly wings

A early morning cool breeze

I’ll be here waiting, wondering

Whether you’ve found, your forever

In love's perfect grace

Crimson leaves falling

From deciduous trees

Twisting and turning

As they yearn

To fly free

Under golden rays

Their colors magnify

Soaring like birds

With wings so alive

Leaving their mark  

On the crisp autumn sky

They’re completely content

On their final descent

Landing on pillowy beds

They blanket the ground

Eager for sleep

Before snow touches down

With each coming season

A beginning, an end

An eternal dance

Of leaves in the wind

Feeling thankful 

But undeserving

Asking, “why me?”

While so many others 

Suffer in silence

I was spared 

Set free

How do I repay 

Such a miraculous gift

When mere words 

Cannot explain

How grateful I am 

To be here

Yet, still confused

The enigma remains

I’m just ordinary 

Without extraordinary gifts

Following my path each day

Trying to be 

Better than I was before

Hopefully, this answer 

Will find me 

Quietly, in my dreams 

In this peaceful place 

Where angels whisper

While I listen, intently

The white sands remembering

How she sat on the shore

Digging her shovel in search

Of treasure, years before

Though taller, she walks 

Along the waters edge

Still searching for something

Not knowing

That she’s finding herself

Like the sea

A beautiful vision 

She’s strong and free

But she, herself, cannot see

Her edges polished

By waves of pain

A shining sea glass

She’ll glisten again

Her siren song

Sent in the winds

Was captured by a love 

A world away

Her treasure she’ll find 

Deep within

Her sea of love 

Will rise again