ODE TO AZOOZ

ODE TO AZOOZ


Is there a place without memories
That I can go to escape
The pain and the fear
That casts a shadow over me to date?

How can I forget
Those soft red juicy lips
The cotton-like cheeks
And every other little tid-bit?

Perhaps it is so
That I really don't want to forget
My darling precious grandson
Who died at little over two-not lived long yet.

We pass by the sea-side
Memories there so fond
Of how he loved splashing in the incoming waves
And playing in the sand-O so strong!

Then there's the sky at night—
Oh! The beautiful star-lit sky!
The moon shining full and bright!
The memories so dear- O me! O my!!

And what about popcorn or potato chips?
Or candy and chocolate bars galore?
Or French fries and ketchup?
Only a few of his favorites-yet there's so much more!

Then there's his little thongs
Left as a lonely starking reminder
Of happy days spent at holiday time
So painful and yet so dear-got myself in a real binder!

Came across his discarded jacket one day
Quite by accident, you see
Was putting some things away in a closet
And there it was-just waiting for me.

Broke down at that point
Really lost it-couldn't go on any longer
Had to hug it just imagining-remembering-
His soft sweet little body

Oh God, I miss my little Azooz
So much it hurts physically at times
And then I have to remember
He was only a loan to us for the time

For as we are told in the Quran:
We are from Allah,
And to Him is our return.

In this is a lesson for us all
Myself first and foremost indeed
That we not hold on with such a strength
To this life – of that we all must take heed.