Which path do I take

With one foot immersed 

Securely in the past 

Repeating old habits 

Hard to break 

While the other seeks autonomy

In a new and better place 

How do I become someone 

Who no longer contemplates

A life that could have been

And instead lives for today

Throwing caution to the wind

I’ll have to start slowly

Taking one step at a time 

Letting go of your hand 

That I’ve held elusively in mine

Why are new beginnings 

And necessary changes 

So very hard to invoke 

If I choose to embark on the future

Must I leave the past behind

I long to feel the suns warm rays

As they gently caress my face

While climbing 

Captivating mountain peaks

Claiming each new obstacle

One victory at a time

I’ll probably still reach for you

When I fall

It’s comforting to know 

That your hand will

Always be there 

If, only in my mind

Recollections of your love 

Give me the courage 

To converge

My once upon a time 

Life of yesterday

With the reality

That is today

Roll down my cheek

Leaving a stain

That I can never erase

Memories resurface

To remind me again

Of a raging storm 

That should never have been

Things hastily said

Emotions entwined 

Words thrown astray

Misunderstandings that

Caused immense pain

Can’t be revoked 

Or unspoken once said

A torrential downpour

Of thoughts flood my mind

I hope that you’ve found

A place warm and dry

As I never again

Want to feel 

The tears that you cry

Lost in brilliance

Sleepless and alive

Mesmerized by 

Twinkling lights

Dancing diamonds

Finely polished by 

The nights velvety black sky

Safe beneath their glow

I linger

Trusting their familiar patterns 

To embrace me

A welcome home

They continue to delight

Despite years travelled

I’m a child once again

As their stedfast scenes entertain

Whether shooting across the heavens 

In a silvery flash

Or quietly at rest

They fall before my awaiting eyes

As I gleefully attempt a capture

So elusive are they 

As they disappear from sight

Their promise to return

Brings me back 

To this unwavering expanse

A constant companion

A comforting contrast

To chaos and turmoil

Littering the ground

This utter serenity above

A most powerful retreat

A gentle friend

To calm and shelter me

At days end

Though times change

And life fades

Diamonds are forever

A heavenly refrain

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