Budding

Do not go without, first, my telling you I will see your face again in all the sunlit days I'll scoop you from puddled rain And wash the dirt from my hands Remembering your hands sprinkling seeds to insure a summer meadow Do not go without, first, my thanking you For laughter and lectures love and late night dance lessons Your kindness kept me company through some of my darkest days And in sharing with you I found a sweet shelter and a sunny porch Do not go without, first, my honoring you For all that was simple, all that was safe Every beacon of brightness you cast into my life I remain magically tied to these memories But to know you are elsewhere Seems but a dream