The Closing of his eyes

His eyes are closed now, the dappled sun no longer fills our eyes

like it did that October 18 when his son and I joined hands in front of 

friends and family.

It was Fall Equinox where the day and night approach each other, where

nighttime comes sooner every evening, and, in that moment, I should have known that 

night would eventually fall, and day would no longer arrive.

his days have ended, even as ours will continue through this Fall Equinox

and back towards Spring, where the sun will arrive a little earlier and 

leave a little later.

perhaps this is what we should remember in this current moment of darkness and loss.

but, wait for that moment to arrive naturally, as the weeks pass by and we

spend weeks of winter and cold, long nights as there

is no way to rush into Spring, the shallow joy of forever Spring

does not appeal as one would miss the gradual swelling of brown buds

into the pale green that promises Spring.  

Let his eyes rest in darkness, as ours swell with occasional tears.

Do not rush towards happiness, but rest quietly in appreciation of

what was, and what was lost.  

RIP, Big Papa.