A Poem to Jackie Gray

The Vine Upon My Wall

To my neighbor Gayle who has pancreatic cancer.  May 18, 2011


February 2009 I returned to California from New York after burying my father.


There was a message from Jim, Gayle's now husband.  He said Gayle asked


him to call me.  His message I will not forget.





A few months later, I was sitting outside on my patio watching the vine grow from Gayle's wall to my wall.  She was always concerned about the vine's invasion.  But I always loved the vine and watched it grow with little care by me.  Then that day as I was sitting,I thought I would care for the vine.  I bought the trellis on which the vine grows.  I believed caring for the vine, keeping it healthy, would keep Gayle well.





The vine represents a living being that breaths and grows.  It takes its arms and wraps them around one another, the way people do when hugging.  I think this was the thinking I had for this poem.  Today Gayle is weak.  She doesn't talk anymore, and doesn't stop to visit.  I think now is a good time to post this poem.





You were the neighbor with whom I shared


as years went by without a disguise


You were the neighbor with whom I shared


the laughter and tears





You were the neighbor so concerned


your vine groweth upon my wall


When I said I love this vine upon my wall


I will let it grow upon the wall and it will


attach itself to the trellis with arms so long


twisting and knotting to hold on tight


It is the birth of a new arm that lets this


vine live so it can wonder upon my wall





This vine will know its birth as it grows


upon my wall


This vine upon my wall is my gift to you


This vine with veins of me and you


It is you this vine that lives and grows


upon my wall





I will remember you


The Vine Upon My Wall