In my green youth, spring beauties bloomed,
 Violets jeweled my life with friendly faces.
 Each promised purpled constancy
 And each I clasped and cherished.

 Years, clustered, ripened in my summer's sun,
 Bade me dream of wine to share.
 Friendships warmed in lengthening days
 While butterflies, spiraling, ascending, danced.

 Now fallen acorns wait for leaf burial;
 Now wither white rays and golden heart
 Of pearly everlasting, false to its name.
 Trees rust in cold, damp nights
 To mirror my own autumn oxidation.
 The harvest falls to foxes
 And purple verities are dun and done with.

 Strange, in the grimness of winter's glare,
 Hope ripens orange on persimmon trees
 Whose bitter fruit begins to shrink,
 To soften, yes, to die.
 But mystery unfolds as just before release
 It is transformed to total sweetness.

 Hold on, my heart, relinquish naught
 Which through the seasons love has bought.
 Old dogs are dearer than the rest;
 Old wine is good, old friends are best.

Fred Lanting  10/11/80

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

-Author Unknown