Fully Alive

A second poem by Wilda Morris. Its beauty and meaning need no introduction.

for Aunt Ersel

by Wilda Morris

Though sickness

racked your fragile body

these last few years,

your special radiance—

hardy laughter and quiet prayer,

deep thoughts and caring conversation—

kept you fully alive until the end.

The strength with which

you lived and died

burns into my heart

a picture of your rising.

I feel your presence

in the lavender dawn

and the rising sun

of this new day.

_________________________

Poem copyright Wilda Morris, all rights reserved.

Illustration, copyright Ysabel de la Rosa, all rights reserved. 

Wilda Morris is past President and current Workshop Chair of Poets & Patrons of Chicago. Her poems have been published in numerous anthologies, literary journals and other publications, including Alive Now, MO: Writings from the River, and Seeding the Snow. Her blog, at wildamorris.blogspot.com  provides a monthly prompt and contest for other poets.