Lynn

The family gathered, but he wasn't there.
Fresh tears came, a few awkward laughs.
A picture frame fell. It said;

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

Consolations and memories were shared.
Outside his room, a green field dotted with gopher mounds.
A hawk soared by on the wind.

We stole a moment outside, by the fountain.
The sound of water diluted sorrow.
Blooming oleander leaned in,
along with laura pedlam more red than green.

With last goodbyes said, we drove away.
In the rear view mirror I saw him leaving as well,
But I knew he wasn't there.