a sketch of the newly-gone

 a view past the sundering

what a gift it is

to be able to gift another

with words that reach their best

to sketch a loved one who has left us,

and, in that audacious effort,

hold a bit of the wonder of the person,

then those who knew them

might feel enough of them in the words

to allow a view past the sundering,

my hope is to approximate a significant expression

of how this person was true to self,

and how each amazed the world they lived in,

every time I write of someone who has left us,

I am thankful that I can honor how well they were themselves,

and also honor how well they can still be with us.

by Henry H. Walker

August  18, ‘24