Not Here

An ode to Nirmala

The sun coloured soundless wheat fields

Stared across the olive green walls

Beside it I stood tall

You were not here

The light broke through the darkened clouds

Spreading across my doors

There I was, in awe

And you were not here

Butterflies in the garden fluttered purposefully

A beautiful dance orchestrated

There, I hesitated

For you were not here

Lavender fields whispered softly in the winds

Far beyond my wondering eyes

There I stood beguiled

Still you were not here

Under the oak tree on the hill by a restless brook

Taking in all that is God’s beauty

Here, I rested lightly

However you were not here

And when the evening purple seized the horizon

Swallows danced in the sky

By now, weary grew I

Why were you not here?

I cried out your name but you never passed

I called and called but all in vain

Still you never came

You were not here

The stars that painted the heavens looked down on me

The zephyr wind on my skin

Where have you been

You are not here

Sadness filled my soul, loneliness consumed my heart

The wars of nine hath passed

The salten sea still steadfast

What tis I hear

A cradlesong, a sweet, sweet lullaby blew into my ears

Sweetly, softly, gently ‘twas

My heavy heart I toss

You were here

In my grieving I hath forgotten your laughter and your smile

Your pleasant words and your caring touch

It was I who did not much

Were you not here

A voice descended consoling, comforting, soothing

In my dreams a soft whisper

Beside me you always were

“Always I was here”

So in my dreams when sadness slumbered you came

With divine providence cradled me

These words you spoke to me

I am here

In the sun coloured wheat fields on the olive green walls

That watched you in your marbled melancholic hall

I was here

In the light that parted the clouds brightening the skies

Butterflies I sent to please your eyes

I was here

In the lavender hue with the breeze I whispered

In the oak that kept you while you rested

I was here

In the evening skies with the swallows I peeked

By the waters of the creek

I was here

In the starry night and the zephyr winds

And always in your dreams

I was always near

I am and always will be here.