The sun is paying a temporary visit
I hold an urn, a box, a container
The wind is brisk and chaotic
I stand by the shore, by the rail, in the garden –
These are the ashes, the remains
Of a mother, a father, a sibling
Or a child, a pet, a love
And I must follow their wishes –
I open the holder and tip it
The dust to dust slides free
Into the air that surrounds us
It blows up rather than down –
It hangs suspended for a moment
We see their image, I swear
Through tears, through memories, through laughter
Then it is gone, forever –
But it has surrounded us
And will live in us
Will be a part of the earth, the wind, the water
And our hearts will dry our tears tomorrow.