there will be rest (an ode to auie)

("In my planet, one can see the sunset 44 times!" the Little Prince said. "But one loves the sunset when one is sad..."

"Were you sad, then, on the day of the 44 sunsets?" asked the pilot.

The Little Prince made no reply.

-- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

This then denotes the final grief
Upon this dying earth
After 44 sunsets, there rushes
Only hollow sounds of the wind
Piercing, shivering trees now bent
Drop their golden green leaves
upon the soft brown earth
where you will seek rest.

From dimming twilight
Love, too, has fled
Alone is voice for those who,
Like the leaves, have laid themselves
Again in cold and furrowed earth
Where you will rummage for rest

You shall be then part of the earth
And of the sighing breeze
Which treads on gently whispering feet
Above you
Aching
Weeping
Hoping
No balm can ease this deepest, surest pain
But as long as we have you thriving in our hearts,
There will be rest, AUIE.
There will be rest.

(Oct 16, 2008 is auie manuel's 40th day after we laid her to rest. the family will have a "letting go ceremony" which we billed as REACH THE HEAVENS, TOUCH THE SKIES. on that day, i will read this poem for her.

auie died on sept. 7...4 days short of her 44th birthday. while we continue to grieve for auie's passing, let us continue to walk the path she has trailblazed: a narrow path which only those whose hearts are kind, all-good, fun and filled with childlike wonder, will ever care to take.

on behalf of the manuel and cequina families and all those whose lives our dear auie has touched, thank you. thank you. thank you!)

ode.to.auie.jeanscequina.mcmlxix.oct142008