WordS for Cousin Rick

As a young boy, My mother would often remind me; “we preach our own eulogies everyday, by the way we choose to live.” A good life leaves very little to be said at the end. I’ve been to many funerals, though I can not recall the words that were spoken — I do remember the lives that were lived.

Ricky’s life was one of the most inspiring eulogies I’ve ever observed. 

In my ear, I can vaguely hear his voice; “ hurry up, keep it short cousin, your gonna f@ck-up my life’s work with your words.”

 So I’ll be brief.

I was fortunate to have had a cousin as my closest friend. He was a socially irresistible guy.  I was always challenged by his way of dealing with people. He had a way of being comfortable and making others feel the same. A confidence I’ve always admired. 

He was consistent. I’m sure we each have our own versions of Ricky, but If we were to compare them, I believe they would all look surprisingly the same.

Ricky was a practical man. He required things to make sense, and have a useful application. 

He was among the most reasonable people I’ve ever known, and I loved him dearly!

COUSIN
Cousin Ricky, how can I write you? you have left us – and I find you to be most difficult to describe. 

what words can I use, or language to symbolize my feelings.  It seems that feelings are all there is, in silence – they have no use.

the most magnificent sound ever whispered, seems to linger, like the last of fall’s golden leaves, reflecting the radiance of the sun.

knowing you has been the pleasure of my life. 

the wonder of you was not in the doing, nor the learning we shared – your being was bountiful.

there was but a single existence between us – and still. for what was will forever be, and the glee of your memory is the vision forward. https://youtu.be/YwLgxyVjwk4

by K. Osei

Day Of

light comes 
silence break,
morning dew,
songbird’s wake

grass to trim,
errands to run
to buy a cake.

a daughters focus
on perfect setting.
a sons labor 
absent fretting.
clocks ticking,
august heat,
all are sweating

to unveil the smile 
of Leo’s child.

no, swatting
at bugs
nipping away

the delicate dance 
of backyard butterfly,

southern breeze 
flutter the leaves,  
as trees gently sway.
all in harmony
converse with joy
amid this feline day. 

sun fades,
evening shades,
as tiki burns the night. 

by K. Osei

MeaNing

meaningless meaning 
resembling dreaming.

meaning flourish not its own 
for nothing we know 
breeds alone.

tutelage tells it be true,
imagination claims
a different view.

even life i scramble to live
is held by meaning 
i strain to give.

all iS One with many names
yet all is nothing just the same.
that i suppose, behold or feel
is the intent that makes it real.

lessons of meaning perhaps a sham? 
can nothing mean 
as it seems – 
or particles of hologram?

by K. Osei

WeEDs

“shout-out to all the weeds
growing through the cracks,”
keep on pushing 
keep fighting back!

today a weed
tomorrow a tree,
strong and firm
as conceived to be.

thrusting
to majestic height,
around obstacle 
reaching for light.

unsightly appearance,
a nuisance they say,
cuttin and sprayin
won’t keep you  away.

Indigenous to land
tethered to earth,
provisions for man
organic birth.

no paved road
or cement walk,
repel the pressure
of nature’s fault

Random surface fractures may be the most insignificant, yet compelling indications of a force greater than our daily conceptions of life. They are unconsciously passed over. Asserting themselves upon frailty and age, whether a crack in the road or a wrinkle in a mirrored reflection. It signifies something far beyond observation. An unyielding determination of something invisible, constant and consistent, spontaneous, unpredictable, incomprehensible law. Nature will be what it is determined to be — and so it is with man. It is an endless riddle and we are all conspirators in the plan — willfully or not. An eternal reminder of inevitable existence, sovereignty and subjugation harmoniously intwined. It is putative of everything and nothing. The weed and the crack are beautiful collaborators in the lesson of life. Within the cracks lay the mystery of contraction and expansion, creator and creation. The balance of power between the two – yet there is only one.

by K. Osei

Cerebral insurRectiOn

it was a party of peace, serene and divine,
not a sound or thought my soul could find.

thought came, with his thinking friends, 
in worry they huddled and trouble begin.

doubt was conductor, of confusion and fear, 
as they all competed for an attentive ear. 

sadness arrived and cased the room,
looking for partners in the dance of gloom.

faith stepped in, banishing thoughts of alarm
followed by stillness and all grew calm.

they scurried about searching for shade,
back to the silence where they were made.

by K. Osei