Chrysalis

The absence of light.
Curled and entombed,
You battle a frigid fight.
Full of wonder.
Full of fright.
When will it end?
Soon.

A thousand gashes.
A million burns.
As each night turns,
Winter’s frost
Chisels away and rations
Deep-seated passion.
Revealing the loss.
Revealing the cost.
When will it end?
Soon.

Lack of hydration,
Rich in frustration
And increasing suffocation.
Unable to stretch,
A pinhole of light
Taunts and tickles…
What a sight!
A desire to hatch.
A desire to take flight.
When will it end?
Soon.

Creaking and cracking…
The sound of final demise?
Or maybe a calling…
A warn from ancestors before-
Audible pleas and cries,
To carry on their lore.
To carry on their song.
When will it end?
Soon.

A deafening snap!
Violent incoherence…
Welcoming rays on endless tap.
Deciphered inference…
Standing tall,
Full of color.
Full of resolve.
When will it begin?
With the spread of your wings…
Now.

1,460 Days (And Counting...)

One thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Days.
Exactly one-eighth of my life,
You’ve been away.

What else is there to say?
I’m left here turned over on my side
With nothing to do but curse and cry.

I try to stand and fight
For each happy ray of light.
But without you
It appears only imminent darkness is in sight.

For this life
Has lost meaning.
It’s keeps me up at night.
Wondering if there is more.
Wondering what horrors are still in store.

Then I see your beautiful face,
Even through all the pain and suffering,
A smile, somehow, is left gleaming.

It’s a necessary reminder,
That with a little courage,
We can face anything.
Even through the most difficult trials
Or in times of crippling self-doubt.

It is just another wary bout
We must overcome.
For life is beautiful and full of love
If we choose to be strong
And strive to become
Who we are truly meant to be.

You are the constant reminder,
Day in and day out,
That life does amount.
And I will continue to fight.
Take in every ray of light,
With unrelenting joy,
As I continue to make you proud
And count the days until I get to see you and recite:
Mother, you were right.
You were right.

The Hound that Found Me

I found this Hound!
I always bellowed
With exceptional sound,
Yet no louder
than the howl that quickly followed.

With extraordinary ears
Flopping under her paws,
She possessed a stealthiness
That everyone could hear.
You were the cutest puppy
My lonely, aching eyes ever saw.

I found this hound!
Was persistently told
To each and everyone around.
With previous owners so cold,
How fortunate you were
That you were sold.

Watch out!
Because the tables turn
Oh so quickly!
So fast,
It almost made me sickly!

For this Hound I found,
Who howled every time
I came home
And whimpered each time
I left her alone,
Grew older and older.

She grew strong and wise
And somehow always knew
When and how to console my cries.
With her long, colorful body
She became the world’s best
Cuddle buddy
And, despite my flaws,
My best friend too.

It took many years
With you by my side
To overcome the fears
Chaining me inside.
Deep down,
I always knew
With each droopy-eyed stare
And every slobbery kiss
I was the fortunate one.

Now it’s my time to be strong
While you take your final sleep.
I must admit I was wrong.
You were never the hound I found.

You were the hound that found me.

The Night Sky

The night sky is vast, daunting and devoid of light.

Upon ascension, you shine with an effulgence bright enough to cast away any worries or fears. For you are still here. That much I can decipher with each somber gaze upon the night sky.

Your strength carried you far and carries you even further, still. Now let it guide those who look upon the night sky.

Let it be a guide in times of sadness. Times of grief. Times of wonder. And in times of uncertainty. Let it be a beacon of light during the darkest of hours, for your presence forever glimmers in the night sky.

The night sky may remain ever vast until we reunite. However, it is daunting and devoid of light, no more. And how could it? With your strength. With your light.

For this night and each one thereafter will be brighter than before, because it is you, now, providing the light.

The light in the night sky.