Cardinal

I saw you today,  

Dressed in the prettiest red dress to ever be sewn, 

Wearing the cat eye mascara you always have. 

Your hair waved to me as you flew past. 

I swear I saw you wink.  

I remember 

You would brew tea, 

The smell of lavender filling the kitchen. 

I remember  

The long drives we would take 

Into a fiery sea of oranges and yellows. 

I remember 

The way you would lick your finger 

Each time you would turn a page. 

I remember 

Being told that you were gone. 

Nothing but frosty skin and ice cold eyes. 

I remember 

Walking into a room fit for the Addams family, 

Black and gray. 

I remember 

Watching you getting lowered into the ground, 

Never to be recognized as the person I loved, again.  

I saw you today 

Flying in front of my windshield, 

Having to slam on my brakes 

To not hit your fragile structure. 

I saw you today 

Flying up high,  

Up into the sky. 

They call you a cardinal. 

I call you my grandma.