Mothers secret

Tell me a secret of living, dear Mother,

a new one I've never been told--

some hint about life to remember you by

that will stay with me when I've grown old.

"An overlooked secret of humans, my child,

is that each is a seed that will flower,

and that each has a future of limitless joy,

whatever the pains of the hour.

"And I tell you that no love has ever been lost

nor is anything out of place--

that your work is to strive, to give and to know

in this journey through time and space.

"Your grandmother told me the same when she died

and I willingly pass it along.

May your living go deeper than what you can see

and your heart hear the Infinite Song."

Now rest, dear Mother, and sleep your sleep

in a region where pain is unknown.

As long as I live I will treasure your words

and will pass them along to my own.

Alan Harris