I held my dad's hand during his final, peaceful breaths on 17 July 2002. Later, still in deep silence, I lit a candle and recited this poem. Now I light a candle for Bill, and offer this poem to you Ann, Julie, Sean, & family:
Flight to Freedom
by Rabindranath Tagore
My love, my heart,
Let this time of parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death, but completeness.
Let your love melt into memory
And your pain into songs.
Let your flight through the sky
Begin with the unfolding of wings.
Let the last touch of your hands
Be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still oh beautiful Love,
for a moment
And say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my candle
To give light on your flight to freedom.
Ann West
1st January 2015
