Arden

She’s gone, they had said months ago

but it hadn’t seemed real

til the sun began to show

through storm clouds

dark and heavy

rain drummed low and steady

on the casket set to rest

she had said a party would be best

a life’s celebration

not knowing a delegation

of funeral goers would soon stand

on rain soaked land

Her life cut short by a fallen plane

there was some mystery about it

but no one knew who might gain

from passengers and crew

lost underwater, father, daughter

mother, brothers, people of all walks

and creeds.

there was something peculiar about no

exits touched

a strange and tragic day

so, was there foul play?

Arden didn’t know—but why did Cass

have to go

she hadn’t lived twenty years

that made Arden sad the most

and rain mixed with tears

slid down his face

he thought of what could have been

a sweet and happy place

he now would never see

Maria asked if anyone had the words

to bid farewell to she

who had set so many dreams in motion

Arden raised his hand to say goodbye

wondering if past them she’d fly

if she could see them standing there

watch the grief they did share

Cass was a strong, lovely woman

no other could compare

Maria nodded her head

half not believing

her daughter really was dead

Cass planted seeds, Arden said

of compassion around the world

so many he imagined her vines

around all the earth curled

green leaves together unfurled

to cup rainwater and let people sip

from kindness rejuvenated

would Cassidy set sail on a ghost ship

or a stairway to heaven climb

either way would be fitting

for Cass loved any time

she might embark on an adventure

Arden imagined maybe a bean sprout

would carry her off away from earth

In Cassidy’s memory let’s plant a tree

guardians, watchful over earth

and maybe Cass could even see

through their leaves

each funeral goer held out a palm

hoping this tree could be a balm

to their grief, and some read out psalms

they left the graveyard in solemn procession

Arden had a confession

no matter how many trees

he planted in her name

the world would never be the same

as Cass had left it