A Certain Gentleness In Departure Poem by RIC BASTASA

what choice do you have? to stop saying a word?
use the period finally to your conversations with her?

come to think of it, there is already a link between
her world and your world

she plants the stars and you bring some planets
you put this little galaxy
in motion and there is this movement upon space
in space
like a haze disappearing

remember how hands hold each other
grappling for the meaning of touch

remember how thoughts entwine
to define what caress and endearment are all about

this is not a game anymore
this is dust giving a name to another speck of dust
they burst in the color of the clouds
in celebration

we plant love, she takes in her will to live,
you must give her what is due to her wishes

if love does not grow, try compassion
let there be a little flower in her desert garden

if there is nothing left, just be the fog, the wind
leave silently without the door knowing it

let there be gentleness even in departures
she is asleep, let her finish with that last dream