Based on a line drawing by Mohssin Amghar
i’ve walked with ele’s most of my life
followed their truncated trail
never abandon one who’s down
postpone your trek forward
kneel down
be there
for beloved ones who need you
more than you need to walk on
 
shockwaves still vivid from a day back then
when Sister Mary Edward ~ our fourth grade nun
it was as if I’d been asked to swallow a piece of glass
we were told Eskimos leave their elders
to freeze on a chunk of ice
paddle off to take up their hunting tools
elders and young family members agree
this our arrangement the way it’s supposed to be  
this icy story shocked me as I quivered in my sailor suit
a chubby Italian girl behind blue framed glasses
pushing back a veil of tears
even after all these years
shocks the monkey today
after moons have passed away
I can gratefully say
 
never left my mother or father on a chunk of ice to pass  
instead they transitioned honorably as we witnessed
their soul’s liberty

and my precious Godmother her bibbly bobbly spirit
waved a magic wand as she met Jesus ~ this her sacred goal
now she comes to visit each anniversary
in the body of a morning dove ~
flaps her wings and coos from above
as she sends us all ~ her Love