A Message For My Children
Barbara D. Holender

I will be busy when I die
leaving messages in several languages
along your possible paths,
clues you may not understand but
will recognize as mine, and therefore
meant to encourage.

I will never be done with this world–
I will leave my tracks, not to follow
but to know, when you feel most at risk,
no life is entirely without precedent.

You will find me when you least expect
in your words and gestures and, with the years,
in your morning face in the mirror.

My leavetaking will be a leave-giving.
Take to yourselves what possessed me–
The Tree of Life cries out, Eat, eat!
Be hungry.