Original poems
The Thing He Always Did
He had a way of arriving
with something already in motion:
a story halfway told,
a tool in his hand,
a question about what we were building.
I miss that particular energy—
not “an uncle” in the abstract,
but him, entering the room
exactly as he did.
Borrowed Skill
I still do one small thing
the way he showed me:
measure twice, take the longer road,
listen before answering—
whatever the lesson was.
Some inheritance
fits in no box.
It appears later
in the way our own hands move.
At the Edge of the Family Photo
He was never only
where the family tree placed him.
He had friends, work, favorite places,
private hopes we did not always see.
Remembering him well
means looking beyond the label
and letting the whole person return.
What this poem collection is trying to hold
This collection centers family stories, humor, skills, mentorship and the distinct atmosphere one relative brought to gatherings. That focus is deliberate: relationship-specific verse should do more than replace “mother” with “father” or “dog” with “cat.” The imagery, emotional distance and details should change with the relationship itself.
Personalization test
Before using a poem publicly, identify one image or line that matches the person you are remembering. If none of the imagery fits, choose another poem rather than forcing the relationship label to do all the work.
Prepare this collection for its actual setting
- Read it aloud before choosing it; spoken rhythm matters at a service.
- For private use, adapt a line with a name, place, habit, or detail that belongs to the person.
- If a venue, celebrant, publication, or livestream needs text in advance, send the final version early.
- Do not attach a famous author’s name to an anonymous or rewritten poem.