“My Feather, My Father”

“My Feather, My Father”

How do I carry you

so much heavier than I

yet lightness grows

as you become more spirit than body

smaller yet bigger at the same time

fading into a liminal place

feather-light

now I carry you on my breath

easing your way with soft kindness 

caressing your forehead 

with gathering peace

sending love via fingertip

watching

waiting.

……….

Image and poetry ©2025 Wendy Lew Toda

Notes:
These are sacred days of goodbye, of standing at the threshold between life on earth and life beyond. I am grateful for people who have come alongside with love, who know this journey of loss in their own lives, and in whose eyes I see understanding that gives me courage. If you are keeping vigil for someone too, take a deep breath and know that you aren't alone.

Image: Iya Valley, Japan. The clouds lay upon the mountains with a gentle lightness. And the GREEN! All that green of the forest as far as the eye can see. There's something good for my spirit about being *in* that much color. In each breath, even the air felt green and clean and rich and so very alive. Something breathtakingly beautiful of God lives there, a standing invitation to be filled with life.