Jennie Lives On In The Forest With Me

Cascading down a road

Divided naturally by gravel and pine needles

That have waited long to be a pathway

Of hope, of forgetting.

I wound down the drying grass of hope

I panted to keep up with the unyielding forest

I waited here with you

Making memories keep fears away

Of the future, of changing lives.

I looked upon the mountains stretched in a line

Old as time, new as me

I saw them build from small brown hills

Into snow-peaked wonders that challenge and mock

I waited, and worried about the wild boars of ambition

That dragged me to the city of lights

While the darkening silence of the forest beckoned and taunted

The price of my shades against the sunlight.

That spot just below the snow peaks, hidden ever so discreetly by tall blades of grass

That spot, where you and I sat and had a conversation carried silently

By the wind whispering words to us.

You had laughed out then

The sound ringing out, like a pleasant tune

And I looked at you wondering, how you could be so mesmerizing.

I had looked at you in admiration, in love

I had felt pride and joy creeping in.

“That’s my brother”, thought I.

The one who held my hand with his

Maneuvering the motorbike with one hand alone

Just to keep my fingers warm

Just to keep the harsh gravel of the jungle roads away from touching me.

You are gone now. But your laughter continues to ring in my heart.

You are gone now. But that spot where we sat will remain ours

You are gone now. But my words will always be for you.

You are gone now, Jennie.

And I only wish I could whisper “happy birthday”

To that face that lit up smiles like butter lamps in a monastery.