Mary Frederick Ahearn

May Departing

The Passing Spring
Birds mourn
Fishes weep
With tearful eyes
              —Basho, The Narrow Road to the Deep North

New Hope, over in Bucks County, is a river town, an old canal town, that we love all our years together. Wandering in and out of cool, shaded side streets, and the sunny, busy main street, we find Farley’s Bookshop. The bay windows display books of such variety that there is no question that we will stay awhile. Among the many books of poetry is the Penguin edition of Basho’s travels along The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Buson’s portrait of Basho graces the book’s cover. We add it to our bag of treasures.

Today, almost fifty years later, I hold the small paperback in my hands, looking at the old photo of you reading it, your hands strong and steady, a small smile on your face, in the shady, cool back garden of the Wildflower Cafe. Long gone, they say.

a warm day
a forever day
the willow leaves
still trail in the water
under the bridge

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About the Author

Mary Frederick Ahearn lives in South Coventry, Pennsylvania. “Writing is a great joy to me, and with it, the interaction with wonderful poets from all over the world. Reading, photography, and being out in the natural world are delights and solace for this introverted soul.”

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