I would love to trade recipes, rate books and movies
Make up the extra bed, with a chocolate on the pillow

Exchange hugs, share triumphs, confide desires,
soothe disappointments
Talk until hoarse, and laugh 'til it hurts

How I long for an envelope with familiar handwriting, and
the directive, "Now it's your turn to write."

I replay conversations in my head
Sometimes we have new ones in my dreams

The shadow of your absences stretches
Time passes; loss endures

The memories are still close to the surface, ready
For the children, now almost fully grown

I am willing to tell them, but the act of remembrance
plays an astonishing game
In their subconscious gestures,
they already know you as they know themselves.

Your light gleams within us.

Posted 03-24-08 by Sky Pape, in memory of my sister,
Paula Pape-Lipson
 
Image & text © Sky Pape 2008. All rights reserved