Navy man's death

NAVY MAN'S DEATH

(For Gene de Guzman, husband of Nelia de Guzman in the tribute below, who passed away earlier as a Navy veteran).

I was there too under a shade

the gun salute shattered my pretense.

The bugle wail pierced the summer heat

for a moment drowning my grief.

Why is it that we only miss

those who are in their eternal rest?

In my book, Rustle of bamboo leaves, but originally published in World Haiku  Review, Vol. 1, Issue 2, August 2001.

Alpha and Omega

Last May 18, I received the sad news that my sister passed away. I was miserable as I was not able to even view her remains as I live so far away. Anyway, after ten days, on May 28, my grandson Anthony was born. He is the first child of my son who will carry my name to posterity. "Once a door closes, another one opens." God has ways of balancing our sadness and happiness.