Love Poem: His Golden Essence
Susan Ashley Avatar
Written by: Susan Ashley

His Golden Essence

The oyster shell 

                       grows old
                                         
                                       and gnarled 

                                                                 but

                                                                                       
                                the  p e a r l  inside 

                                                       remains the 
                             
                                                                        same


Susan Ashley
March 22, 2021

(a monoku in non-traditional format)


Poet’s note: this poem is dedicated to my beloved father, Albert, who will be 94 years old on April 27, 2021. Though he deals with a myriad of age-related health issues, it hasn’t tarnished his golden essence. His mortal heart and mind may be aged but his loving spirit is ageless.

Updated note: my dad, Albert, a.k.a. pépé (French Canadian for grandpa), passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 10, 2021. He will forever be loved and missed by those of us he left behind.