Two Sonnets Composed at Day’s End
1
I sat by Nan Everly’s humble bed
And strummed softest chords of gentle song
As in her purposed face I clearly read
Signs not of earth but that to heav’n belong.
As if with effort sourced deep in the bones,
And with eyes far off but lips forming sound,
Nan drew breath and in otherworldly tones
Whispered “I once was lost, but now am found.”
Just then, a vision – to earthly eyes dim –
Spoke clearest words to her who would be free,
Beckoning “Come soon but first close the hymn.”
So Nan sang, “I was blind but now I see.”
In the eyes of my friend I saw these two:
World left behind and the glory anew.
2
Chuck Ferraro stomps – his calm hour is past –
And broadcasts perplexed pain through the day room;
His audience, deaf to the routine blast,
Lends no carp nor cure for Ferraro’s gloom.
Then movements that – pull! – exceed his short rein
Cause to shriek an alarm of jarring tone.
And now a chorus of fuss and complain
Is directed to him who sits alone.
With eyes grown heavy and body in rest,
Ferraro descends and Ferraro sleeps
And visits with the ones he loves the best;
He’ll speak at dinner, but now silence keeps.
It’s a blessing to sit among these friends,
Resting where the lucid sky never ends.