For My Wife, Janet

This poem started when I was faced with writing my wife's obituary.  I found the standard obituaries published in the local newpapers to be incredibly boring dead things that gave the facts of ones life without the essence. Then it came to me, what I really wanted to do for her obit was a poem.   The following is meant to be a series of haiku's designed to capture different aspects of her life.  When I set out to write this I did ask for helpful submissions from her long time friends. Ultimitely, all but the last stanza, however, was my own.  The last stanza is from a rather complete poem in and of itself written by her friend Cindy Tanner entitled "My Tent Friend". It was just too good to leave out.

Huge bright blue eyes deep

Spontaneous welcoming smile

Crinkles a familiar face

Cherry wood stock

In your hands alone

A table emerges

Single set of tracks

Dew covered alpine meadow

What the world needs now

Entwined though our hearts may be

Our time was short

My soulmate

Gentle touch

Caring soul

A life well lived.

Her Eyes, Smile, Heart - Freed

Vessel broken; showers All

Memories; Goodness.