Celebration

What is there to celebrate
           when a love dies
when a love has nothing
           more to give
when empty words
           fill the silences
when heartbreak and longing
           stalk the streets
and not a finger is raised
           to ease the pain

The petals on the orchid
           fell one by one
marking time
           leaving a litter
of white flowery flesh
           on the floor

Part of the earth’s process
           of birth and death
that only love transcends
           with its rich textured
feelings and warm words
           that can illuminate a life
deeply if all too briefly

John Lyons