scattering
they had come to the island
to scatter the ashes
daughter
son-in-law
husband
about to leave Thailand
and not yet found
a fitting time and place
to fulfill
the dead woman’s
last wishes
the beach she named
had turned into
a scuba resort
bars
music
hedonism
I had just come from a monastery
yells
bells
smells
a chance encounter
lead to an impromptu service
at first light
we had a little fire
we had incense
and chanting
time for people
to say their bit
to remember
to cry
it came to the part
where she poured out
grey remains powdered
a life in the surf
this daughter returned
she laughed and cried
at the same time
I felt the aching heart
of the world
embracing everything
HC: 2020