“The only purpose in life is to live

                                and not to talk about love, but to give.”

I hardly ever spoke “that” word;

A feeling need not speak its name.

In deep silence it can be heard,

Without the word becoming lame.

I like to say it without words,

Like to write it without a pen,

Like to let it fly, like the birds,

Without interference from men.

Like to hum it as tender song,

Like to cry it with painful tears,

Atone for all when I was wrong,

Make up for minutes, hours and years,

When I was less than expected,

When I was sour, angry, or hurt,

By moods unduly affected,

Answered with words that appeared curt,

When I might have offended you.

I’d like to soothe the pain I’ve caused,

Mop up the tears that fell like dew

And restart smiles where they had paused.

I’d like to right all, if I could,

Without a word spoken, or writ,

Recreate innocent childhood,

With days, years, forever sunlit.

Alas, I am only human,

Failure and weakness is my fate,

Sadly I lack the acumen

All old hurts to alleviate.

But before my last day is up,

Before the sun sets in my sky,

The last drop empties from my cup,

I must openly testify…

I just have to tell you how much…

… not with words… but with joy and bliss,

Tell you only with gentle touch,

Tell you only with tender kiss,

Tell you all that was in my heart,

Whisper without a single word…

Let you know before I depart

And leave behind this sad old world.

If there is a world beyond this,

I’ll meet you at the “pearly gate”,

Wait for you with a tender kiss,

All of my sins to expiate.

© P. J. Oszmann (2004) 

©Illustration: Created in Photoshop. (Photo of Erika at the Royal College of Surgeons in 1983 upon receiving her Postgraduate Diploma)