2023 Sep 21 - I Walk to Be

A Better Son

I walk for respect

And tribute and gratitude 

To my mother

For my mother

For the way she held her rosary 

In her final days

Until her last pulse

In her last breath

She instilled in me her faith

So I walk

In her honor

To say thank you

To repent for my sins

Within the 

Whirlwinds of emotions 

And memories that transcend the moment

Step, step, step

Go, go, go

Wait, stop, rest

Just go

The click of walking sticks

Marking time like the tick tock

Of a clock

The beat of a heart

Go, go, go

Breathe 

Step

Go

Sudden piercing jolts of memories 

Reflections radiant like a rainbow

Sparkling in the mind

Being thoughtful and graceful 

Careful and careless 

Giving and unforgiving 

Timid and brash

And harsh

Harsh

A painful truth

Eventually 

I cried in silent shame

Once, twice, many times

And cried again in open agony

Wishing I had been a better son

Wishing things that can’t be done 

The rain washed my tears

Into the flowing streams 

Carrying them away

Into the earth

While my strength reborn

In a collision of dreams

Wishing I had been a better son

Step, step, step

I rejoiced in somber gratitude 

Strength surrendering to my faith

Forgiveness of the rain on my face

My mother sent me rain

What lies ahead

Is preordained 

Not luck, not will

Just faith

Wishing to be a better man

Wishing things that can be done

A husband, a father, a brother, a friend 

Praying with the faith

That was instilled in me

By my mother

I love you

On the way

On the Way of Saint James