To Those I Love

TO THOSE I LOVE by Isla Richardson

If I should ever leave you , whom I love
To go along the Silent Way , grieve not,
Nor speak of me in tears , But laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you , for
Who knows but that I shall be oftentimes?
I'd come, I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?
And when you hear a song I used to sing,
Or see a bird I loved - let not the thought
Of me be sad, for I am loving you,
Just as I always have -- you were so good
To me -- So many things I wanted still
To do -- So many , many things to say to you -
Remember that I did not fear -- it was
Just leaving you I could not bear to face -
We can not see beyond -- but this I know
I loved you so - 'twas heaven here with you.

Sent by T. Emery Bray, husband of Mable K. Joiner Bray.
by Isla Richardson
Written to the Rogers family at the time of the death of Josephine Joiner Rogers 1945