Of Beloved Aunt Winifred Wells

© August, 1959, Barbara Grace Lake

[My cousin found this among some papers
that my grandmother apparently saved.  I’m
happy she saved this one]

 

Don’t grieve for me –

 

Don’t look upon my stillness with despair
for I have gone –

 

And happiness that had so long eluded me
I now have found and it
embraces me –

 

Be joyful for me –

 

Because the cares and trials of
worldly life are merely shadows
of meaningless memories –

 

And these too will pass –

 

And so your grief will pass from you
to mingle with the ashes and dust
of that which sheltered me –

 

Until the time has come when you
shall cross from life
to greater life –

 

And I will greet you joyously –

 

Then you will say to those who mourn their loss –

 

Don’t grieve for me.