To Aurea Domínguez
I
An ancient body harnesses a soul
fresh, young, vibrant forevermore.
The rest of us are left behind on Earth
and shall never again share in your mirth.
If I could be at your side now, listening
as you whisper your story, eyes glistening,
and tears pacing down my cheek in pain,
I’d be there, just to hold you near again.
Yet destiny has tossed me out of reach;
in your last moments the distance I cannot breach.
Don’t leave just yet, sweet lady of my life.
Allow me the chance to some time bide
So that you do not leave this tempestuous world
Without hearing a goodbye from this young girl.
I am the girl who loved you so, but never knew.
The time is done to attempt to show my love anew.
Am I really too late to tell you that I need you still
When throughout life this was never what my mind filled?
Don’t leave just yet, heavenly being,
whose breath is now unjustly fleeing.
Please wait a few more days so that I may
Sit by your side, some of your pain allay.
You are at peace, grandmother, not in dreadful agony.
But I can’t be so without your voice before you face eternity.
II
Thank you, sweetest being, for granting me one last time
the dear sound of your voice, the loving glance of your eyes.
Thank you for waiting, allowing me to bid you goodbye,
to kiss and embrace your frail body before this unfair demise.
III
And now you’re gone, and left us here, alone.
Without your love, this house may never be the same.
Can these four walls ever again become a home,
when the warmth that filled them had your name?
How can we now honor you enough,
you, loving spouse, you, gentle mother,
you, loving grandmother, you, angel from above,
when we know that by your side we can be no longer?
*To my beautiful grandmother, Aurea Domínguez, whom I shall sorely miss...*
Copyright ©2004 Surey Rodríguez