By Charu Colorado

Shore in August
At the end of day birds bright and bold
proceed into eternity
Speed across the darkened sky
and disappear in a sweep of golden light.

I watch the torn asunder cloud
reveal the hover of plover wing
Above their final cliff side habitat
Serene the chant of wind and surf subsides.

What Matters
My father
The captain of traveled saleways
Said a cool farewell
To money and medicine matters
As he charted a pain free golden skyway
To reach the admiring ear and eye of God.

He took his final moments seriously
His breath the hoarse whisper of departure
Eyes lit with shining triumphal light
One arm beneath his head
As he lay on his side
He smiled at me

Was there a transition spectacle he wanted to convey?
I could not bear to not know
So turned away and left the room
When I returned he was gone

Mother went down to the morgue
To make final arrangements.
I went into the family waiting room
And - sightless - thumbed through Life Magazine