JKLeahy (I wrote this poem yesterday for my cousin Robert)
The Angels’ Trail
In your journey, after the earth
at distant shore, you will berth
The end of Angels’ Trail you will see
Lifeless as dust in the wind, we will be
Vibrant and free as a bird, you will soar
In Godspeed your wings find you sooner
No blood, pain, or will you suffer
Here, bounded in grief from tragedy, earth life quiver
Trapped in naked depth of sorrow, we linger
Cloth, wood, soil and stones enfold remains
In earth, we buried with your shell are our souls
In wind, as a dandelion you will lift higher
Earth’s gravity draws darkness, we see death
Hold back tears, your brothers’ will
Hear their songs, when the wind is still
In dirge and tears, sisters call you fond epithets
Where you, dandelion rests, is where Angels’ Trail begins
Follow beside where the lights glow
for darkness, as deep dark wine bestow
swallows where the shadows go
Seek your mother, for she seeks you
Your brother, aunts, uncles, your sister too
In patience, expect they will be for you
at a place where they had once passed Angels’ Trail
Gaze ahead; leave earth with your memories
Be light on your feet for them you will meet
Drowned in sorrow, our heart bleats
Softness is your voice, abound to share among our kin
Rejoice will be, the angels in triumphant
and kin spirits who had long passed The Angels’ Trail
Robert was a handsome, healthy, living young man in his mid twenties. He was buried today in my village, Wagang. His life was taken tragically last week in a car accident, leaving behind his two young children – aged 14 months and 4 years old, and a young wife. Robert went for a ride with our other cousins. They were all sober and picking up another cousin sister at Nadzab Airport, 40 minutes from Lae City, Papua New Guinea where he met his death in the tragic accident. The details of the accident are not known to me nor my brother who made the call to me. Four others are in critical condition at Angau General Hospital, Lae. Those of you that follow my blog, Robert was the third son of my Aunty Yellow (Yang Yang) who died last year. She was instrumental in my upbringing and specifically, my traditional fishing and dancing skills. Robert was a little brother.
Tribalmystic Stories 
I am so sorry even as I appreciate highly the obituary in soul – stirring words. Life leaves us little to expect and we must all leave at short notice. A peaceful rest to Robert ‘ s soul.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read Dr Sreela. I appreciate your very kind words.
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Incredibly moving poem………
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Your words means a lot to me Alex. Thank you.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Joycelin. I hope you find the courage to take you through this difficult period of your life.
Sylvie G
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Dear Sylvie, it is very kind of you to send me a message. It means a lot to me. I just wanted to write something for Robert, as I am away in another country and won’t be part of our family and the rituals they have to take to celebrate his life. This is a only a small way, my way of remembering him.
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You have my deepest sympathy, Joycelin. This is a very tragic story. It is always difficult to come to terms with the death of one so young. Your poem for him is lovely, as is the one sent to you by Kurt Struble above.
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Thank you so much for your kind words Millie. It means a lot to me to have friends like you. It was deeply touching for Kurt Struble to send his poem. I am so grateful. No-one in our family can understand what happened. It is difficult.
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It will take time to understand what happened . . . and why. It’s bound to be hard to make sense of things for a while. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping things get a litttle easier day by day. Look after yourself.
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no words can give you what you
need ….
there are strands of
caring and love emanating i see them
surrounding … i wish you
peace … joy from the light of
beautiful memory …. i’m taking the liberty of
sending you a piece i wrote about death and
burial …. perhaps it will give you a ray of
hope during this incredibly difficult time ….
– Where I’ll Sleep –
I want to be buried surrounded by the
fields of my youth … next to other
kindred souls who decided to
lie in similar peace … on that
grassy knoll sheltered by a
giant oak … it’s limbs spread
wide to shield us, it’s roots embracing our
boxed homes … cradling us in our
sleep … distant from the
hub-bub of life … too far away for
casual visitors with plastic flowers … our
serenity only slightly disturbed by the
occasional car rushing by … the sound of
tires rolling fast … metal barreling through thick air
rising from summer heat ..when
corn silk and yellow seedlings … trees and
grass all join in the
dance of life, thrusting higher and
higher toward the Sun … the same as my
neighbors when they produced seed,
multiplied, then passed on … leaving tiny bits of
themselves behind to prove there’s life
after … .
In the stillness of winter’s most
beautiful, clear night … I’ll rise from within the
Earth to glide on moon’s rays … the wind my
flesh/the air my
breath/the stars my
sight ..
The oak tree above my haven … .
doesn’t matter if he was cremated … the thoughts are still the same … my thoughts with you and your loved ones … and his …. ks
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Thank you so much KS. I really appreciate that. Your poem meant a lot to me. I had to run into my garden for a while, yesterday…..It was so kind you. Thank you from me and my family. (Love).
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