right as rain, bob, right as rain

right as rain, bob, right as rain
(for bob bobrowski- 8/21/04)


last night the screen door blew back
hard, against the side of the cabin
the rain fell sideways, onto the floor, and death strode right in

i'd met him before
my teeth clamped shut, my heart stood still

right as rain, bob,
right as rain

i knew who he was there for;
i had tried to think and feel ahead
for this moment, I tried to set the table for this
unbidden meal, tried to prepare for
and accept the tears that would fall on the tablecloth;
it didn't help, one bit, my heart still stopped

we are woven together, in life's unfolding tapestry,
woven closely, with familiar threads; our parents,
our children, and those who are our family
without blood, those who we have traveled with forever;
we journey with these souls, bound to our hearts
by slender threads; we carry our lives, together,
we drink from each other's cup; we are blessed
with our love for each other

I will not take down one painting;
I will not tell my children not to cry;
I will not grow bitter at life, at fate;
I will continue to paint the world with the colors I see, bob
I will continue to laugh at myself,
I will always fight the good fight,
love without fear, and dance with one hand held high;

and I will always hear the screen door, banging,
and laugh out loud;
I will look at the falling leaves and see the myriad
shades of life's beauty, as you showed me

I will close the screen door, now, gently,
quietly, and snicker at the falling rain

right as rain, bobby,
right as rain.