Contemplating My Friend Yasoda

Contemplating My Friend Yasoda

The lady of laughter

and practical kindness

has gone from sturdy to frail

in just a few months.

We think, when we hear,

"This many months left to live"

that they will be lived as normal.

Instead, dying's a progression.

In December I visited her at home,

in January at the hospital,

and in February the hospice.

She was smiling every time.

I gave her a bracelet of honey calcite 

labelled For Happiness. "A bit ridiculous,"

I said. "You're the happiest person 

I've ever known." Then I filled it with Reiki.

Her children thanked me as I left.

One of her daughters was cuddled up

next to her on the bed. The window view

was full of leafy trees. The day was balmy.

Last year we gathered for lunch

at the Rainforest Café – at a long table

outdoors, twenty or so good friends

feasting together on the bank of the stream.

I was sitting directly opposite Yasoda.

She threw back her head, laughing free –

but later patted her belly, muttering

about the hernia she thought she had.

I remember the time I said to her,

"Whenever someone's in need,

you're always there." She smiled, 

a trifle bemused. For her, it was just normal.

When our "wisdom circle" studied the book 

on the various origins of our souls,

it was clear to us all, she was Angel

incarnated here, still being of service.

This poem has no easy, obvious end.

As I write, her life hasn’t ended yet.

And even when it does – which now we hope 

may be soon – for us, she will not be ended.

14/3/18

Yasoda at the Rainforest Café, October 2017

Message received today:

Our Beautiful Yasoda left this Plane of Existence yesterday (Saturday 17/3/2018) at about 3pm.  She was surrounded by Her Loved Ones and had a Peaceful & quite Beautiful Passing.

She will be greatly missed by many but is now free from pain & safe and happy in the arms of The Divine. 

A Truly Beautiful Soul whose Heart Shone Always.