Grandma
can you hear me?
May the wind carry my voice to you
in a whisper�
"I love you, wait for me".

I wish you didn't have to go
that you could stay
and your breath could flow.
Yet I have learned
the air inside
your breathing space
has shrunk in size.

Awkward the rise,
strenuous the fall,
so labored, so visible,
so deep within
your heart's abode.

Are you in pain?
Would kisses make it go away?
You know I said goodbye
some time ago
with those same little kisses,
-you know the ones-
lips corner to corner in a sweet caress
that healed out bruises,
and mended us
when we became undone
tiny and short,
but, Oh, so many!

We'd follow you anywhere,
and this you know,
but your journey is one
where we cannot go
Yet, even so,
from across land and across sea
we're headed your way,
Grandma
please, please,
why don't you stay?

Oh, matriarch of generations
if you could speak
what would your counsel be?
to not cry,
to be strong,
that you've been happy,
have lived long
you've witnessed blessings
and they far outweigh
the days of sadness
which were shaded gray.

The phone rings again,
and the news is grim,
it sears my heart,
and burns my skin.
I raise my eyes
in hope, and pray
I may see you again,
that I not be late.

Grandma
can you hear me?
Can you hear the wind?
It bears my voice,
and carries my prayer,
in a whisper:
"I love you,
always,
wait for me,
I'll be there".