memorial

the breeze a gentle reminder

of his touch near my shoulder

when he wanted to share

the antics of a bird on the wire fence

or a doe still beside the pine

at the edge of the meadow

i had not yet seen

a trice or two

gentle moments catch us unaware

draw us into knowing we share

something deeper than words

shifts into catching our breath

the ululation of screech owls

claws raw the wounds of loss

while mourning doves coo companionable comfort

a sunbeam pierces thunderhead

to light a path between heaven

and earthling and soft peace settles

on a mourning gasp

moments without preparation

startle us into assurance

beyond grief or fear, if only

for that instant

comforting coincidence

sometimes the rain deepens

my sorrow

as though the earth pain

at my loss

but more often not

mere happenstance

and then my friend

quoted Einstein: ‘coincidence

is God’s way of remaining

anonymous’

glitter that is gold

only mount hood ghost-like on my horizon this morning

chill, pallid fog has muted the blue of portland’s west hills and pale

more distant cascade range

until flakes of burnished gold and snippets of vivid pink spurtle

like pinprick explosions of color to vouch for the coming of day