Here is poem I wrote for my auntie and read at her services in Chicago.
For our Norma Jean
this isn’t a poem
its words put together when words can never say enough
its a whirlwind
a big smile
a tight hug from a favorite aunt
that looks just like my mama
its love
this isn’t a poem
its a family story
it begins in a busy house that used to stand not too far from here
with a wild backyard
a warm kitchen upstairs
tall, steep concrete steps
that provided us many scraped knees
all our hearts can remember is
her laughing and smiling
if we counted all the times we heard her laughing
beautiful gap teeth smiling
head leaned back
soul a glow
we are rich
this isn’t a poem
since words can never be enough
to celebrate
to speak on the essence of her spirit
while the body is fragile
it bends
it fails
it gives out
spirit is stronger
no force is greater than pure love
her journey to short for us
lovely many times
bumpy some times
cuz life can serve up bumps and valleys and peaks along the way
her chapters unfolded like a large novel
i wanna keep turning the pages
we wish for more volumes
more hugs
more of her laughs
more comedy
more of her sweet nature
just more
more
more norma jean love
the essence of her spirit
will live on
your brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends
deep down wish our collective love for you would pull you back here
our tears would drown out all pain
but
with deep breathes
we release you to the creator
rest now
rest in perfect light dear one
the essence of your spirit will live on
Tricia Hersey
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| from left to right: My Auntie Norma Jean and My mama Jean Marie |
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