Floating Ashes

As I gazed out over the slow-flowing creek Suppressing the agony of losing my child Tears never fail to spill down my cheeks As I have repeated this ritual for awhile Making these pilgrimages to this waterway While I stood on this same slick muddy bank I enjoy observing the bluegill and catfish play Paying their respect. For that, I owe them thanks A little army swims back and forth in formation Alerting the water inhabitants as they often do Like synchronized swimmers without expression Only swim close when they think I have food I scattered my only child's ashes in these waters It's been a year since releasing his charred remains All that's left of his handsome image is this powder It isn't easy to fathom or for my mind to contain For a year, I kept him in an elaborately made urn Held in a prominent place, I could visit each day Why he ended up in that urn is no one's concern But I loved talking to him as he sat on display His final wish was to spend eternity on the waves He has loved swimming since he was a small boy Honoring his wish, yet, I desired a common grave But his floating ashes do conjure peace and joy