The Death of a Star

(For Shirley, 10-31-1929 to 7-13-2018)

Countless stars light up our lives

And fill our hearts with brightness and splendor.

Sometimes they flash with sparkling brilliance;

Sometimes their rays are gentle and tender.

A star to me was my cousin Shirley,

Whose comforting warmth and radiant glow

Outshone even our glorious sun.

Anybody who knew her would know.

Emitting the light of true compassion,

She never let the darkness prevail

Or woefully impose restrictions

On love impossible to curtail.

And, oh, that love shone on so many.

From a place close by or even from afar,

Shirley's loving-kindness would touch you

As though you'd been touched by the warmth of a star.

But stars do not shine forever.

One sad day their brightness will fade.

Shirley's light was extinguished this week.

Though death is something we cannot evade,

The light of love that Shirley spread

On all who knew her still glows and gleams.

It fills our hearts with goodness and kindness;

It gives us hope; it guides and redeems.

The most spectacular sunrise that ever

Spread across the New Mexican skies

Would still be no match for the beauty of Shirley,

Her smile, or the love that poured from her eyes.

Rest in peace, beautiful cousin.

-by Bob B (7-13-18)