A thousand monarchs ascending

Into the brilliant confusion

Rising above the eucalyptus grove

Ready to fly for a thousand miles

We stood together,

Our own gathering of her family

Our souls sent skyward

In lasting memory of hers

You, go through

The length and breadth of life

End up wondering why,

Accepting that there is no answer coming.

She sent us out with purpose

Decide what to accomplish that day

Knowing the serenity and warmth

Of her presence along the way

We became immune to loss

Nothing left to lose

That quite compared to that cost

As we continued on our paths

Youth has its advantages

As every old person knows

But to the young person,

The intensity of separation grows

Learning to fall asleep alone

The survivor surveys the horizon

All the bays and mountains in between

And the moment is right

Finds himself almost serene

As when that sun lifts the butterflies

And leaves us with our mouths agape

Until we too ascend.