A Fearful Chasm
by Jocelyn Fuller Chrisley
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The minister spoke
as the trees moved with her breath
Lord
On this day and in this space
I need to believe in the reward of a well lived life that is heaven
And pray that I will be able to breathe without crying
and remember what her voice sounded like
We were not ready
because she was alive enough
to live a life full-
Of authenticity and creation
Breathing on the walls of her studio
Of love poured out to family and shared with friends and lavished on pets
Of riches
Who gather around this house
sharing stories about a woman
who was stunning
My sister is sleeping and my father is tucked away
from the crowd of commiserate strangers
because his companion on this first day of the rest of our not normal life is a cold
Everywhere there are tables laden with homemade fruit salad and peanut butter fudge bars-
the smell of bright flowers filling in the gaps of heavy conversation
We offer a prayer of thanksgiving
for the life of Judy
Sing Amazing Grace and bloom
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