Rolling cascading 

Sparkling as they fall 

Stunning in their 

Thundering descent

Each droplet 

Minute

While standing alone

But joined together

A force so strong 

That effortlessly

Crumbles stone

Creating 

A carved path 

That carries them home

This circle of life 

Where some, not all

May be led astray

While searching for

Their road well traveled

Yet to be

Etched terrain

Their destiny

Challenges confronted

Along the way

On a quest to find

Their source of strength

A drop in time

A resting place

Their waterfall

At ocean’s edge

Cool soft sand 

Caresses my feet

As I run

Farther away

Escaping the day

Buried seashells quaver

As though calling my name 

Focused on the horizon

My mind begins to ease

With every step

I’m uplifted

With each colossal crash 

I’m carried by waves

A feather in the wind

Slipping into the past

To another dimension

Where I’m with you again

At last

Free to breathe 

This familiar scent 

Of salty air 

And balmy breeze

I’m exactly where

I want to be

Where we’d meet

Beneath the glow 

Of a shimmering moon

Along the waters edge

Our dancing silhouettes 

Held forever in 

A gentle mist

Where time stands still

In this sacred place

Where sand meets sea

A treasure trove

Of loving memories

Where you still 

Hold me tenderly

In the eternal rhythm

Of the song of the sea

A vast expanse 

Of sparkling lights

They flicker and dance

Above us each night

A commanding performance 

After a quiet days rest

Their intricate patterns 

Celestially designed

Unveil an endless beauty

That surround them

On this darkest twilight

These familiar portraits

Suspended securely in space

Render a heavenly language 

To communicate

Details that guide 

Paths for us to navigate

Through treacherous seas

Or threatening roads

Their brilliant vibrations 

Help to lead us home

This universal heartbeat 

Conducts a chorus of light

As billions of stars

Take center stage 

Brilliantly each night

Silently they sing

A most spiritual song

Of peace everlasting

As they lead us home

Emotions rise and fall

Just as tides upon the sea

Turbulent waves 

Of crashing pain

Seem unending 

So deep

Swirling patterns

In the sands of time

An ever-changing landscape 

A transformation

How quickly life 

Calms and cascades

As today 

Becomes a memory 

Of the past

As light replaces darkness

Days crest and fade

Tender moments

Lost and gained

As waves of pleasure 

Replace our pain

When we least expect it

Life begins again

When asking myself 

Where the time has gone

My thought is always the same

If only I had ten minutes

To bring you up to date

Ignoring all the trivial things

We’d worried about at length 

I’d consider this brief time carefully

Savoring each second 

As they tick away

I’d reintroduce you 

To our two wonderful kids

Both amazing adults today

Each with familiar

Habits and traits

So reminiscent of you

Ten minutes

To catch up

Years of stories to relay

We’d laugh, then cry

Finally the chance

To look deeply 

Into your eyes

To hold your hand

Tightly in mine

And share 

A loving embrace

Ten minutes

Before closing

Our book forever

With a long 

Overdue goodbye

Emotions rise and fall

Just as tides upon the sea

Turbulent waves 

Of crashing pain

Seem unending 

So deep

Swirling patterns

In the sands of time

An ever changing landscape 

A transformation

How quickly life 

Calms and cascades

As today 

Becomes a memory 

Of the past

As light replaces darkness

Days crest and fade

Tender moments

Lost and gained

As waves of pleasure 

Replace our pain

When we least expect it

Life begins again

I hear your soul 

As it speaks to me 

A gentle voice 

In my thoughts and dreams

A whisper in the wind

It comforts, caresses

And consoles me

At just the right time

It intervenes

To clear my mind

So lovingly

With strong arms 

And gentle hands

It holds me

Emotionally, lovingly

It fulfills my needs

A reassurance 

That you’re always

Here with me

A reminder 

That love exists

After this life ends

That love never dies

But rather extends

A cascading wave

An echo in the wind

Love too returns

To love again

Where does love hide

On those days 

When it fades

When feelings change

Does love cease to exist

Or lock itself away 

As a protection

To remain safe

Does love turn to stone

Become calloused 

When alone

When no longer shared

When tucked on a shelf

Hidden within pages

Of an old photo book

Or pressed within glass

Dying petals 

Marking time

Desperately longing

To be revived

To feel the touch

Of another’s skin

To hear soft words 

To begin again

Where does love hide

When its tucked away

Does it turn to stone

Does it really fade 

Or does love 

Begin again

In its own time

At its own pace

When it has found 

The perfect resting place

Winds of change

Blackened the sky

Eclipsing a light 

Once so alive

In darkness 

Blinded by pain

They walked a path

That very few take

A loss so somber 

Loneliness reigned

Their innocence forsaken

They searched their faith

They suffered in silence

While eyes turned away

Their destiny sealed

By a twist of fate

Forced to mature

Far too soon

Years slowly passed 

As the storm raged on

The depth of their sorrow

Buried deep inside

Solely expressed

Within their eyes

A lonely place 

Where truth resides

Remembering my small fingers 

Clutched securely 

Within your hand

Our arms swinging 

As you walked

And I skipped 

Happily, as we laughed

While cautiously keeping step 

Avoiding sidewalk cracks 

That if stepped upon

Would break our mother’s backs

Our smiles etched reflections 

Splashed firmly upon 

Shiny storefront glass

As your grasp 

Silently signified

An undivided love to last

As I reminisce 

I recall another

Who offered me his hand

With promises kept

To have and to hold

We held on tight

Although our love 

Did not grow old

It brought forth

Two glorious gifts

That arrived precisely 

In their own perfect time

I held their little fingers 

Soundly within mine

But somehow they quietly

Slipped away

As they grew up overnight

They’re able now 

To stand alone firmly

But every once and again

We walk together

Skipping through memories

Reflections of time

That has passed lovingly by

From one generation 

To the next

Hand in hand

We’ll hold securely

Merging the future 

Forever with the past

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

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