Remembering Honey
A Blue Rose for the Sergeant
In memory of George F. Patton (Jan 14, 1936-Aug 10, 2005) retired U.S. Air Force sergeant, beloved mate to Vanda Lee Patton, adored paterfamilias, treasured friend, and illuminated spiritual being.
The seed that grew this rose
formed long ago.
It was something like a pearl
that fell from God’s loving eyes
and planted itself deep inside
the mysteries of this chaotic world.
The roots made their own space
and spread out through love shared
between people common to our lives:
your son Moses and my sister Vera.
Blessed by angelic silence
and nurtured by ancient wisdom
the seedling stem of this sky blue rose
broke through dirt and concrete
like a revelation foretold
breaking through the ignorance
of those too blind to see
and those too afraid to hear.
Then came the pain of thorns
produced from bitter experience.
And the unfoldment of elegant green leaves
developed out of secret knowledge
and the clear spiritual vision
of a humble dreaming prophet.
That we are able to honor
and share with one another
the bright pieces of heaven inside us
is what makes the rose
of this sacred kinship blossom all year round.
It is what anoints our lives in a holy way
with this rose oil perfume
of sweet grace, good faith, and enduring love.
Aberjhani
© 13 August, 2005