Memory

Memory

 ( for my Mother, Juanita Fay Austian Neighbors)

You crossed the boundaries of life

to sail in Heaven's sea

and I was left to bridge the gap

between the world and me.

You left a child too young to see

you didn't choose to go,

a child who grew into a man

before he came to know,

that you left too, a legacy--

a memory of love

that God himself would be content

to be the owner of.


~ Dean Neighbors

Prudence

I love the gentle ways of you,

predictable and lovely, stark

simplicity is what you do,

it's sun or shadow, light or dark.

You dance your dance, you take your stand,

the conversation's short and sweet

with friends who, briefly, held your hand,

with wistful dreams, with self deceit.

Memories are in your book,

that time and grace forbid you show.

You know my page but never look

and, like as not, it’s better so.

“Oh, lunch.”, I hear you softly mutter, 

“Jelly, bread and peanut butter."