Empty Nest
For a long while we just stood there,
one foot on each side of a deep, mountain chasm.
Then suddenly it separated farther,
forcing us to jump hand in hand to the other side.
We left behind us a noisy, beautiful camp sight,
where for so many years
our time was spent guiding our children
across the streams and through the canyons;
excited to be showing them all there was to see and do.
I longingly looked back,
expecting to see them waving their arms and calling goodbye,
but, it’s empty there now.
Where is everyone?
I look deep into the beautiful blue eyes of the silver-haired man
whose soul is so intricately woven with mine.
I feel at peace as he enfolds me in his arms.
Here we are again, just the two of us.
Has it really been thirty-two years?
We can feel each other’s emptiness as together we gaze back to
where our hopes and dreams began.
How can we go ahead without our children? Surely they need us.
But, “Look!” we laugh!”There they are up ahead!
How did they get there?”
They motion excitedly for us to hurry and catch up
so they can guide us across the streams,
and through the canyons,
and show us all there is to see and do.
@ Edna Henke
That is beautiful!