By Dorothea Barth ©2016
So very many years it's been
Since you left your earthly kin
In anesthetic sleep you went
And we could scarcely comprehend
You told me once with certainty
When we spoke of philosophy
You would not wish another life
The vale of tears, the senseless strife
Where are you now, I sometimes wonder
Quite nearby, or are you yonder?
Does your spirit lightly roam
Released from fears and cares of home?
You lost your dad when just a lad
War stole the youth you might have had
You struggled with your worldly toil
And from injustice did recoil
It is difficult to mention
The troubles of your own invention
Those you so tried to keep at bay
That would not, could not go away
If you were to glimpse below
Behold some things you'd like to know
They happened after you were gone
Some happy days, some triumphs won
A spouse you would be glad to meet
Fine youthful kin for you to greet
Endeavors bravely undertaken
Some taking root, and some forsaken
Sweet songs well sung, long roads well run
A crafted verse, a tale well spun
The violin is still alive
In many ways, your children thrive
And if all's not as you expect
Let no judgment resurrect
Except that you might find it true
That we were good enough for you
