As a glistening droplet
Set free from a leaf,
A brief quiet grimace
And then his release.

As the bonds were cut loose
From the web Illness wove,
A great sadness descended
On those whom he loved.

The weight of generations
Took hold of our souls
We were left with a family
No longer all whole.

Eyes closed, mouth open,
Face frozen in time
Now shall we remember
This man in his prime.

January, 2005