Ashes In Grand Lake
2009 October 25
For Suzan Lane Bastow
Maybe you read the words in prayer
as your mother and father huddled there
on the shore of Grand Lake. As you were
waiting for water to know you wholly,
I wanted to believe in Christ.
It was your gone body demanding
waves at our toes against the shore –
I must go. I must go on alone.
We were buoys up to our shins
your sister’s water arm in mine
as we poured you gently in – a hush –
all of us swimming and swallows
quietly singing in the oak above
and you, at last, breathing in.
Beautiful piece, brother. I like that it is a grand lake and the last line is perfect.
Many thanks, Anne.