Tributes

Laid in a ragged carpet, a corner of the street awash with vivid colour, a vision bittersweet. Between the sagging flowers, ribbons and cellophane, a portrait and a smiling bear whose face belies the pain. With passing days the blossoms wilt the colours fade, they die, raindrops run down the frame and glass the silent portrait cries. The world still turns, people walk past, flowers will soon be gone, rainbow of sorrow washed away and life will carry on. But my bouquet shall never fade for it never lay there, a posy that no hand had made, this corsage made of prayers. Sent skyward like a new bride's gift beyond the stars above, tied with ribbons that cannot fray such is the strength of love. More streets may fill with flowers as more sorrow surely comes, but my bouquet will still shine on like a thousand setting suns.