Elegy for Cousin Jan

For Jan Volley who died of cancer in 2017.

In memory of Jan Volney, a shining star
Whose light was extinguished far too soon
A Canadian scientist, a mind so rare
Whose work and legacy will live on

With awards and accolades, he made us proud
His brilliance in his field, unbound
His passion for knowledge, never dull
His heart and soul, forever sound

Jan Volney, a man of great renown
A symbol of hope, a shining crown
His contributions to science, a lasting gown
His memory, forever crowned

In the halls of academia, he made his mark
His research and discoveries, a work of art
His dedication, a shining spark
His legacy, a gift to the heart

Oh, Jan Volney, a man so dear
A loss so great, a sorrow so clear
His memory we hold, so dear and true
His spirit, forever anew

Ode to Lovonne Brown, my best friend since thirteen

Oh, Lovonne, my best friend so true
Since secondary school days, our bond has shone through
Through amusement and tears, we've shared it all
Through thick and thin, our friendship has stood tall

Your kind personality and caring ways, I adore
You're always there to lend a helping hand, and more
Your words can light up the cloudiest day
And with you as my friend, I know I've found my way

We've shared many memories, so sweet and dear
From study sessions to adventures here and there
We danced the nights away in adolescence, with hearts full of cheer
And through it all, our connection has been crystal clear

Oh, Lovonne, my closest friend so dear
You're the sunshine in my life, my guiding light, throughout the years
I'm so grateful for your sisterhood and grace
And I'll cherish our friendship, always and forever in this place

The flower poem

Flower so bright
Flower so new
Why does the humming bother you?
Spending your time, wishing you knew
Speak with honour
Stand with dignity

Suppose the humming stopped humming
What say you?
Trees look down on you and say nothing
Let your nectar stay sweet, and let the sun delight in your fashion

The wind blows alone, but it feels your presence
Its spirit feels the fluster of your petals
Trying to grasp onto one. Just one
'Til it realises that you stand firm

Your leaves whisper sweet nothings
Proclaiming your fun and varying colour
Pretty with no inside jollifies the leaves when falling down
Don't let whispers tell your time, for they too want to see you fall

The branches watch everything with intentions of mocking you
They too want to see everything falling, leaves and all
They see it fit to stand out in front of everything
When the rain falls, they laugh to see you drained
They dry faster more than anything
But don't wilt flower
Flowers are meant to stay beautiful

Visualise

Visualise I’m non-existent; visualise I’m a terrestrial dweller
Visualise I’m one of the people
Visualise I’m not modest; visualise I am a humble poet
Visualise I stand on my own; visualise God stands with me

Visualise I’m inferior or superior or in-between
Visualise I’m misunderstood; visualise no one cares
Visualise I’m mature; visualise I’m young at heart
Visualise, visualise, visualise

Visualise I’m hated; most are hated too
Visualise I’m loved; others are loved too
Visualise I like meek things
Visualise meek things like me have grown

Visualise other personalities; never be like them
Visualise Earth’s a large planet – it’s smaller than I thought
Visualise I’m irreplaceable
Visualise, ‘Visualise’ is too much
Visualise, visualise I am not enough

Timing and age

I may not be the right age
I may not have the right everything
But I have the right mind
The right determination
The right focus
So many impossible things in life
But there are still many possibilities
In God I trust, the way-maker
Humanity will disappoint
They are never around in storms
That’s how the many fake are designed
Poetry has become my best friend
I tell him all my secrets
And love him unconditionally