i did not ask
to be Dushka’s
son––
nor was i expecting
to be sailing her
dream through seething
turbulence––
i accept my turn
in fate’s wheelhouse
blessings come
with unknowable
responsibilities &
storms have their way
of teaching us how & when
to give
thanks
the dark brings
dawn as surely
as each second births
the next
in the presence of her
ashes, i thank
Dushka for her
teachings
waiting calmly
to follow her dream
along its
way