on the day you were born
it was raining. there was
no snow anywhere, there
by the sea

from that day
until the day you died
you loved the ocean
and the rain

i have kept these memories
in a box of salt water
where shadows of light
rock peacefully

inside the box there are
shells in every imaginable color
on the white cliffs
there are angels watching over you--

even though i usually don't exactly
believe in angels,
i see them in this box
writing the record of your life

and it's much longer
than your actual time on earth
there are patterns of light
caught in a shifting mist

the sea was here before we came
and will be here
long after we are gone
there are reflections

where your ashes
add color to the waves
in my box of salt water
when i look up at the stars

i believe i see the one you made