Honouring Ancestors

On a clifftop 
Overlooking a view of a tranquil calm sea 
The air is warm 
The sky clear 
The white waves below roll gently 
In a reflected indigo 
From the cloudless blue above 

We aren't alone 
On the clifftop 
Overlooking an ocean which brings in 
Memories we have yet to make 

We look around 
Watch departed loved ones appear 
Celebrating our life 
As much as we celebrate theirs 

Immediate family members smile 
We remember 
We love the familiar warmth 
The familiar faces 
Filled with looks of fondness 
And gratitude 

Grandparents join 
Coming together as we smile 
In recognition 
Filled with looks of fondness 
And gratitude 

Great Grandparents appear 
Great Great Grandparents 
Great Great Great Grandparents 
Going back further 
Joining in together 
All filled with looks of fondness 
And gratitude 

Aunts, uncles, cousins 
Friends and old neighbours 
And people we have never met 
Yet share the connection 
Of recognition 
Join the celebration 

We all look to the ocean 
To the memories yet to make 
And as one breathe in deeply 
And exhale 
And smile 

A choir sings 
Voices in celebration 
Reaching a crescendo 

Violinists play 
Epic sounding beautiful music 
Harpists 
Drummers 
Pianists 

All joining as one 
As our hearts beat in unison 

Looking back 
To our gathered loved ones 
All standing together 
Smiling 
On the clifftop 
Overlooking a glorious sunset 
Of reds and oranges and yellows 

Grounded 
Inspired 
Uplifted 

Our loved ones dance 
In celebration 
In sheer joy 

We are here because of them 
And they because of us 

We think of a question 
To which one of our loved ones 
May provide an answer 
A knowing 
An acknowledgement 

As the sun sets 
It is time for us to leave 
Once again we look back 
With love and gratitude 

And know all those who have gone before 
Are not lost 
And not forgotten 
And they are with us 
As they are part of us 

Always

We carry their spirit with us 
And our hearts dance with them 

Until we all meet again 
On the clifftop 
Overlooking an ocean 
Which reflects 
A hundred thousand stars