At Leffingwell Landing

A gull gliding on an impression of violins

triggers a swift memory

of her last days amid hospital white,

Unexpected tears slide down my cheek.

Sea rushes white-lathered against stony shore,

while a flock of aimless blackbirds pecks dry ground.

All these tokens suddenly open grief’s latch,

stumble in to dislodge hope from her transient root.

Winging silhouettes of pelicans pass overhead

and the sorrow-filled song comes again.