Elegy to John

I think a happier babe was never born,
He smiled before his eyes could even see,
And graced our home with love from that first morn,
Content within the arms of Mom and Me.

A tiny boy just slightly bigger than my hand,

With sharp and wondering eyes of ocean blue,

And flaxen hair as bright as desert sand,

He welcomed life with relish as he grew.

 

As long as I was close he showed no fear,

He knew that I would keep him safe from harm,

And even when he stumbled shed few tears,

Retreating quickly to my big, safe arms.

 

But as he aged his ventures swelled as well,

Outside umbrellas life is often hard,

He found that others cared not when he fell,

And often gave him little to no regard.

 

When starting school he slammed against the wall,

Erected by the “Norms” of brick and steel,

Walk so, and heed the rules or face us all,

You must conform or face our weighted heel.

 

He tried his best to follow these new rules,

But “Norms” found fault with every ginger step,

They taunted him with constant ridicules,

And always found his efforts quite inept.

 

He found it hard to fathom that disdain,

Unable to understand how some could hate,

Another soul who caused no harm or pain,

For them nor wished a cloud of evil on their pate.

 

So, when rejected by this mass of “Norms”,

He sought the solace found in splinter groups.

Others who had weathered similar storms,

And found some peace in smaller secret coops.

 

Within he found acceptance, warmth, and love,

He welcomed this new life with relish new,

The smile that needed naught to flash above,

Returned to flourish as the morning dew.

 

This lasted till the gruesome illness came,

And most of his new friends now found excuse,

To stay away as though becoming lame,

But there were some whose love was not obtuse.

 

Vicki came as did his friend Edwardo,

And Family gathered close around him still,

But loving arms could not delay the blow,

He left us here and soared beyond the hill.

 

Epataph

 

His ashes still are part of Mother Earth,

His spirit lives in those who loved him most,

So there’s no need to sing a long sad dirth,

Cause John still lives within his loving hosts.