Life Is But A Fragile Dream Poem by Kathleen Reguindin

Around me, he plays and flutters
A week-old orange and black, against the sun he glitters
He flits and floats from flower to flower
Savoring the subtle sweetness of nectar.

From the top of the hill, just a mile away, I see a friend's boat's white sails
Smoothly and gently blowing with the wind
Pushing through water under the able hands of the Captain
Water and sailboat are one, intertwined.

Without warning, a storm strikes, heavens opened
Waters choking down my exquisite orange and black friend.
In the distance I see my friend overboard, both hands up, the picture so clear
Slowly, gradually he disappeared, my worst fear.

They were just both here, but by twist of fate, gone in a blink of an eye
It makes no sense, to the heavens I cry why?
Taken too early from a family and friends who loved and cherished him.
I who have known him for only a few years, my heart feels heavy and grim.

He brought me so much cheer when he put up a work of art
A plastic butterfly that he himself painted orange and black and hung up.
He was known to help everyone and give the shirt off his back.
No more will I see this man, the time ran out of his cup.

Alone that night, I gazed into the distance, still in shock over the tragedy
And what do I see in the sky? It is him, gazing down on the water, smiling
And on his strong shoulder was my little friend's small wings fluttering
This countenance a reminder of both life's strength and fragility.

In the mist of the night, they both floated away
Goodbye, goodbye, fare thee well, my good friends.
Return home to the Father, show each other the way.
Those of us left will miss you to no end.