In Memoriam

At times my tears involuntarily flow
because I was unprepared for the pain
of your sudden departure
and the loneliness of the paths
on which we walked together
and the emptiness of the places
where your voice has become silent.
I often go to your garden to seek solace
and find that each tree and plant and petal
each leaf, and every blade of grass
testify of your patient and tender care.