Poems by Brian A. Bendall

Often, when it's late at night
And no one's 'round but me,
My mind will travel back in time
To my sister's memory.

So many scenes will fill my head.
It's hard to keep them sorted.
All our laughter, talks and games
Through life have been aborted.

But my mind keeps you alive,
Though memories all it shows.
Still, I need to talk to you,
My questions to propose.

Are you happy where you are?
Are Mom and Dad around?
Can you see the thoughts I have
Or words I've written down?

Are you warm in winter time
And cool in summer's sun?
Has the pain that sent you there
Been mercifully undone?

Do you and Mom and Dad play cards
Or talk throughout the night?
Do you still have the forest walks
You loved with pure delight?

Do you still have the laugh you had
When I'd say funny things?
So much of you I'll never know,
Unless I had some wings!

It's been so long since you've been gone,
And still, it's hard to cope.
I want to get to where you are.
Could you throw me a rope?

Is Jacob's Ladder still around,
Available to rent?
If you could send it down to me,
That would be heaven-sent!

A rocket ship or "beam me up,"
A sling shot or a jet!
All might help me get to you.
I would have no regret!

Oh, well...

I guess that I am stuck down here
Until I pass away.
I hope you're there to take my hand
When time is up that day.

Then we can talk and laugh again,
Play games without a care!
One more question, then I'll go.
Will you be there?

I've tried to write so many times,
But it's been hard to say in rhymes.
I'll try once more and hope you'll see
Just what your love has meant to me.

Thank you for your pain at birth
That brought me to my life on Earth.
Thanks for all the time you spent
For cuddles and your nourishment.

Thank you for the stories read
As I lay cozy in my bed.
Thanks for your enlightenment
To solve new mysteries life had sent.

Thank you for the cures and care
When sickness caught me unaware.
Thanks for tucking me in tight
And kisses on my head, "Good night."

Thanks for comfort when I cried
And tissues used for tears you dried.
Thanks for courage to go on,
To see from night, a day will dawn.

Thanks for freedom that you gave
To go outside, the world to brave.
Thank you for the friends I'd meet
That helped with friendships I'd repeat.

Thank you for your help with school
And teaching me the Golden Rule.
Thanks for praise when I prevailed
And understanding when I failed.

Thanks for parties that you gave
And birthday cards I tried to save.
Thanks for meals I loved so much
And baking skills that few could touch!

Thank you for your help to write
My stories you helped bring to light.
Thanks for helping talents surface
That made me see my life had purpose.

Thanks for tears when I left home,
So I could make it on my own.
Thanks for tears when I returned
For visits that you long had yearned.

But now...

Your life I loved has run its course,
For time will take us all by force.
Your love for me, not kept inside,
And no conditions were applied.

So, thanks for all things, small and large,
Your love saw fit to do ... no charge.