IFJM -- April 29, 2016

My darling Martinella,

How do you love a person
who never got to be,
or try to envision a face
you never got to see?
How do you mourn the death of one
who never got to live.
When there's nothing to feel good about
and nothing to forgive?
I love you, my little baby,
my companion of the night.
Wandering through my lonely hours,
beautiful and bright.
What does it mean to die before
you ever were born,
to live the lovely night of life
and never see the dawn?
Ah! My little baby,
you lived like anyone!
Life's a burst of joy and pain.
And then like yours, it's done.
I love you, my little baby,
just as if you'd lived for years.
No more, no less, I think of you,
the Angel of my tears.
   ~Author Unknown

All my love,
Mommy

IFJM - April 21, 2016

Mr Moon:

If I could snatch a star from above,
and place it in my hair;
moon beams of light wrapped 'round my waist,
a sash that I would wear.

Black velvet sky with shadows blue
would fit to be my gown;
The brightest gem from the Milky Way
I'd set upon my crown.

I'd be a Queen, and you the King.
We'd rule the galaxy!
You'd be my Aldebaran, and
I'd be your Antares.

But looking down on the Earth so small,
your tears of flame would spark;
a shooting star (they'd see below)
to melt my icy heart.

Aquila would fly, Leo would roar;
A regal star Crusade. 
We'd join together, you and I,
to chase Orion away.

But you are there, and I am here;
miles between divide.
Light stretching forth from years ago,
To reach my heart that died.

-- Lizzy

IFJM - April 20, 2016

Dear Mama Robin,

You're back!!  All winter long I wondered if I would see you again, after what happened last year.

The boys and I were so excited to learn of your nest outside the bedroom window.  Several times a day we would check on you and your young ones -- and we were delighted to watch your babies take their first flight out of the next that late May afternoon.  So you can imagine how happy we were to see you return last autumn for your second batch of hatchlings.  The last time we saw you, you went off to find food for your new babies -- then you never returned!

I worried all night about them (the storms were terrible) --  but still, you were nowhere to be seen.  I don't know what became of those babies -- and it broke my heart to think of it.  

But that is all in the past and I shall pray you have many health babies this year and that your period of mourning is behind you.

If I could make a single song

As lovely and as full of light,

As hushed and brief as a falling star

On a winter night.

-- Sarah Teasdale

Love Lizzy

IFJM - April 17, 2016

ALONE

I am alone, in spite of love,
In spite of all I take and give --
In spite of all your tenderness,
Sometimes I am not glad to live.

I am alone, as though I stood
On the highest peak of the tired gray world,
About me only swirling snow,
Above me, endless space unfurled;

With earth hidden and heaven hidden,
And only my own spirit's pride
To keep me from the peace of those
Who are not lonely, having died.

--- Sarah Teasdale