Memory of Water - April 26, 2007

Prayer for Departure

It was yesterday in the early afternoon light

I held your hand closely in mine, the rosary beads 

draped between our hands - together, passing 

from one bead to the next, 

Hail Mary, full of grace, 

flavoring the room - a balm;

breathing in deeply all that is. 

The Lord is with thee 

ninety-five year old vesseled spirit 

with staccato breath. 

Blessed art thou among women 

emptying with each exhale in the 

lengthening pauses 

of 

nothingness. 

The tide leaves the shore; 

each wave withdraws deeper 

into the sea. 

Blessed is the fruit of thy womb 

a vessel made of red earth and chile; 

once strong legs, a blackening blue

as you take your leave 

no longer needing them. 

Ticket in hand, you turn away, 

look at the clock, see that it’s time, 

and move toward the gate that reads 

‘Departures’. 

Holy Mary, mother of god, 

water pouring into its source, 

the vessel empties, 

the breath rests, 

and this time -

does not 

return. 

Pray for us sinners.

The red-brown clay dries, crumbles... 

returns to the earth, 

now and at the hour of our death, 

as you leave, 

a breeze 

rejoining 

the 

wind. 

Amen