Tidings of mourning sweep through the sombre trees
Of the doleful spring breeze
As the breath leaves her body for the last time;
So ephemeral is life that whilst we grieve,
We discount the value of memory.

My grandmother’s soul will never dissipate
From this cosmic earth;
Its heavenly fragments shall be dispersed,
Shedding eternal light on emanating spring blossoms.


A subtle smile moulds from my silent lips as I recall
Her dynamic spirit and youthful effervescence
As she would whip out an eggplant parmesan or banana cake
Or recount a dose of her childhood, sheer gratitude in her soles
As she stepped off the immigrant boat towards liberty.

Alas, her soul drifts on to a better place
And as I mourn, a flame kindles within my heart
To have known her, to have loved her,
For I know I’ll be reunited with her someday.