Crossing au naturale We lose our parents Then we loose each other, And I pray my children Go not before me And wait For my journey to end.

Our grandparents Have departed So many years before And it has become Increasingly difficult To recall the Visions Of their presence ... But the feelings remain

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends Like leaves in the autumn Drop to their resting place One by one .... Sometimes aided By a strong wind, A pouring rain Or perhaps fatigue ... Or perhaps, It was just their time.

When I look back Over my shoulder At what lies behind me, I am aware Of the Words... The words I spoke, And those I did not, Or could not, For I was busy and preoccupied. Doing things, Or doing much of nothing.

So now I find myself Relegated to writing poems, Some contemplative, Some reflective, Some infused with my sorrows, Some my pains, Some my joys, Sone my hopes, And a myriad upon myriad Of dispositions I wish to revisit, And those I never had a chance, Or never took the time To experience

But considering how i was reared up, The thing more important That the cast aside dreams, The achievements and failures Is the hope, The hope that I will see you all once again For that eternal embrac