(Dona Eley, June 22, 1951 – Jan 22,2023)
A white, featureless Meadow
But defined, neat borders
By dark cold water of the creek
Demarcation of white and dark.
I peer down, a perch high up
Near the cabin rafters
The cold, dark water
How to describe this dark?
Dipping my hand, cutting it off
At the wrist
The children played there
Yesterday, Oblivious
Of the Cold
Hour upon hour, sledding
Down the path
To the dark water
I tried it, the inner tube sled
Tumbling, spinning,
Colliding with a tree, ripping a hole
The kids were
Disappointed, but conciliatory.
I have video of her
Riding this luge
Down the runway
To the dark creek
Screaming
Of fear and delight.
That was her
Those eight years of illness
Fear conjoined with delight
Until she approached the line
Demarcation of white and dark,
And stepped across.
I occasionally see her,
On the other side.
Having crossed the dark water
Not waiting, not beckoning
But looking back
With contentment.
The man-of-sorrows
Had crossed before her.
Dona's Blog 
Beautiful writing, Dave. Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Iani
What a wonderful memory of my happy friend. She is the best! (still is…)
Thank you for this. I can picture Dona doing this! Yes she had a beautiful life and was grateful for it and you. Her legacy is all of you and the many of us who she and you led to deeper faith. I often think of the bible study times in your house. Hugs, Andi
This is beautiful Dave! Thanks for sharing! I enjoy hearing from you as I enjoyed hearing from Dona. I imagine how her life intertwined with yours completely changed you and how eternally grateful you are, and the deep longing that comes after witnessing such a profound transition to the other side and such profound change and loss for you. You describe it so candidly and so poetically I’m left with an impression of what it must be like. All is satisfied and whole, already- not yet! My heart holds much love for you and your family and you will be in my prayers! God bless you!
Beautiful, David! I love your continuation of her poetry. Your two lives intertwined together. She was such a special woman, and you are a special man. We miss seeing you. Rita
I love this celebratory word picture! Thank you to the poet for sharing.
Beautiful celebratory words. And thanks to the poet for sharing. 🫶🏼
This is beautiful! Sent from my iPhone
David, thank you for this beautiful poem. I’ve read it multiple times. Every year on 1/22 I ask myself, what gift of prayer for her could I give? It always comes to mind that she would say “pray for David , girls and all the family”. So I pray for Encouragement, comfort, wisdom, courage ,abiding faith o.
Simply beautiful, moving and true. It conjures up the age old crossing the Styx. Unlike Persephone Dona was not in love with Hades and darkness but with life and humanity because of her deep Christian faith. Her legacy IS beauty and truth.
Marie
David, this is so beautiful. I can picture the whole thing and it brought both a smile and tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing and keeping the beauty together alive.