NoPAD Chapbook 24: I'll Be ______

One of these days, I'll be dead
And you will live on, I trust,
My lovely ones,

For lovely you are,
And I have loved you fiercely,
Faithfully, sacrificially:

My beautiful bedmate,
My strong young sons,
My delightful daughter.

You'll know I did not love
As well as I had wished, and yet
You'll know I loved the best I could.

When I have gone, as go I must,
May echoes of my imperfect love
Birth joyful melodies in your souls.

NoPAD Chapbook 23: Alone

A Note from the Blogger: Yes, I know this was supposed to be done like... a year and a half ago. But I had the urge to finish this old project, so that's what I'm a-fixin' to do.

The first leaves took flight in October,
swayed by windy persuasions,
leaving their brilliant comrades
to brave the bluster somehow.

In February, the last holdouts lost hold,
as winter's breath strengthened,
their stems torn from limbs
by the dry, enduring chill.

It is March now, and there you cling,
my final, fierce maple leaf,
equal parts cussedness and glory,
holding on to the promise of spring.