Mind-Body-Spirit, Garden of Remembrance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Today, our thoughts fly to the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Italy; the living and the dead.

Nature, as we have seen, is constantly reminding us that humankind, for all its progress through the ages, remains vulnerable. (As if we need reminding!) No less vulnerable, the human spirit, but also an indomitable life force.

Now, memories are no compensation for reality. Nothing and no one can compensate for the loss of a loved one; family member, lover or close friend. Even so, it has been my personal experience that memories can keep good times as fresh in our minds as when we first shared them, and in so doing any tears - in time -become more like spring rain than some relentless wintry storm.

Such is the power of love that that it will inspire the human spirit for generations to weather any storm, repair close-knit communities damaged by events beyond their control, and most importantly, concede love the victory over grief. Speaking up about it invariably helps, although words can never quite express what mind-body-spirit are telling us all the time.

This poem is a villanelle.

MIND-BODY-SPIRIT, GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE,

In thoughts so near, so far away,

inspiration visits old Memory Lane,

love’s fairest flowers here to stay

Whether or not we choose to pray,

love will survive us time and again

in thoughts so near, so far away

Deep sleep, no guiding light of day

nor dark, only kisses like spring rain,

love’s fairest flowers here to stay

Come despair keeping life at bay,

cue for human love to take the strain

in thoughts so near, so far away

Where a body quits worldly affray,

good hearts repeating its finer refrain;

love’s fairest flowers here to stay

Though life bury us in colours grey,

trust human goodness ever to remain;

in thoughts so near, so far away,

love’s fairest flowers here to stay

Copyright R. N. Taber 2016