On the wings of the wind and the trickle of

Cherry Run

We’re having a hard time here, most of us.

This is like a foreign tongue.

We know about ashes to ashes and all.

It’s walking the walk

and talking the talk that’s tough.

Why did you want this farewell?

Was it the traveler in you,

your unwillingness to stay in one place,

your need to find new places?

Was this your final getaway?

Was it mostly for you or mostly for us?

Just so you know, it made saying good-bye

both more humane and more painful

at the same time.

The first of the chosen ones,

you loved your sunshine, geraniums,

sandals, and glitz.

We loved your zest,

your penchant for baubles,

but mostly your wit.

We loved you as you loved us.

You know we are not done grieving, 

We miss you still,

I think of you each morning.

We were not ready to let you go.

But we’re not in charge

So we are here to send you off as you wanted.

May it ease our heartache to hitch your ashes

to the wings of the wind and the trickle of Cherry Run.

Good-bye, darling Jo, mother to just about all of us

You did it your way, that’s for sure.

Ride that puppy all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

And breathe easy.