going home "on the moon"

 My Aunt Jean died six years ago today.

This poem was written in her memory.

The title came from a comment made by Jean's youngest sister,
Aunt Jessie, who was with her when she died.

in its trek across the sky

did last night’s moon

shed light

into the room

where sisters, a daughter

 and death

hovered near?

did its radiance shine

on those

waiting to hear?

at the end

did moonbeams

caress the hand that held yours close?

did silent teardrops

glisten

in its glow?

death came at night but

 your laughter

echoed

against the moon’s pale light

while we said goodbye

it illumined

the path

as you traveled

home

March 2006