7th January, 2010

VANESSA MALISA

The day that I was born into this world

I stared into her beautiful eyes and I said

'Mother, tell me what I already know.’

And then I developed into a playful little boy.

And while I kicked the soccer ball on the open field,

And hit the cricket ball eagerly with my school friends,

I looked into innocent eyes and,

I saw.

I grew tall and handsome, and thrived at high school.

Became school captain and put my head down and studied hard.

My teachers were my role models and I listened carefully to them each day.

I looked into wise eyes strong with integrity and,

I knew.

Then in Paris one winter’s day on the main street, I met the woman of my dreams as

The wind raged.

She had long golden hair and a smile that reminded me of my mother’s.

As we exchanged vows in an ancient Roman Cathedral

I looked into her hazel knowing eyes and still,

I saw.

We had our first child,

He had her rich laughter and my wisdom

We played with him, fed him and nurtured him.

When I held him in our Coburg home, the sun warming his forehead

I looked into his grandfather’s eyes and,

I knew.

Then our children grew up and left home.

We moved to France and retired to the country.

My wife fell ill and as she lay on her death bed

I held a cloth to her forehead and

Looking into her open eyes,

One last time , I saw.

It wasn’t long after,

When the wind and hail eased

And the blossoms covered the trees

And I felt pain in my weary heart.

 I took one last weary breath

And I saw what I had always known

From the time I had opened my eyes

To the day that I had closed them.

God.