free

he was a strange and beautiful bird

that entered into the corner of my eye

while gazing on something important

so important I can barely recall it now

only the bird

ten years ago today independence day

he flew away as fast as he first appeared

all of that light and beauty erased

and with it a small part of me

i never thought to declare missing

i try to honor my boys by being

what they would want

a friend told me yesterday

happy and remembering the good times

it works just not all the time he said

in a moment a switch flipped

my declaration of lost and found

of course a part of me died

but a new bud appeared too

while you took flight love remained

as it is written your life is but a mist

but your mist cooled my overheated life

giving love to three kids and newfound friends

i carry your memory as your work of art

and i never ignore birds weird or otherwise