A Sparrow’s Heart: “All The Pieces Of You”

For my precious sister, a tribute her sweet little J.D. who would have been four this month:

I grasp for any piece of you.

Scattered in the wind of a July breeze,

As numerous as the stars of that same summer night,

Are all the pieces of you.

A smile, sweet laughter,

Your little, raspy voice calling after me,

And there you are in the memories of my heart.

My head might tell me they are the fantasies built from sorrow,

But to my soul, they are as vividly real as the air that fills my lungs,

The tears that fill my eyes,

and the tender smile that tugs at the corners of my lips

As I remember you, all the pieces of you.

This is a recall of the heart, a place where tragedy cannot find you,

Because I will protect you there.

Safe and sound in that place will be your first tooth,

Your first step, your first day of kindergarten,

And then that last kiss goodnight before the recital of our bedtime prayer.

As I hold inside of myself all the pieces of you,

Time escapes me, and there you are.

You have become a man in the blink of an eye.

The reflection of your precious life sped by so quickly,

and you are so breathtaking and…and, I love you so very much.

Your hands have far outgrown mine,

and they envelope me as you hold me in that same familiar way.

I remember this piece of you very well,

For it is the same blanketing comfort I wrapped you in

The day that you were born.

WE LOVE YOU J.D.