Bella de Sophia
The first time I saw you, your face smiled at me from the bark of a mighty tree.
Your voice whispered to me a chorus of love through the leaves on the wind.
I was but a small boy at the time. But I recognized your spirit even then.
Through my lonely life I remembered you.
Always a murmur on the water, always a whisper on the wind.
The smell of jasmines somehow reminded me again and again.
When I held your tiny body, I knew.
Your first smile was like a hurricane of joy.
Your first words were like the sunlight on the trees.
As time marched on the world was like a hammer.
Its relentless blows turn joy to exhaustion and sadness.
It is a weight that you now know yourself.
I would shield you from this hurt if I could.
I would take this pain from you and bearer it myself if I could.
Perhaps now we can truly understand one another.
Understand how a grim weight will take a hopeful boy.
Understand how a dark cloud will take a joyous girl.
and turn them into blind people who look down at their own feet.
I remember now your voice in the leaves.
I remember now your smile so relentless.
I would have all the days going forward be of joy and laughter.
Someday when I am but a memory.
You will see my face in the trees.
You will hear my voice whispering to you a chorus of love through the leaves on the wind.
May your memories be only of good things.
May you smell jasmines and be reminded of me.
May you hear my laughter on the voice of your grandchildren.
Be full of joy, for life is as good as you want it, and has hard as you allow it.
Be full of gratitude, for your life is a miracle and you are loved when many are not.
Be full of magic, for you have much to give to all those who see your light.
For my Sophia
I love you beyond these mere words.
