SONG OF THE SPIRIT (Italian Sonnet)

                                   Essence of being, soul and heart entwined,
                                   inhabiting flesh to sojourn the earth...
                                   to mirror a life and sing of its worth.
                                   By God's will fashioned, by His staff divined...
                                   by His hand created, shaped, and defined ~
                                   His breath gave you life and governed your birth,
                                   to taste all things and know sorrow and mirth...
                                   soaring on wings and ripening like wine.

                                   Through your eyes life's wonders so richly hued,
                                   in your ears the music of nature plays...
                                   you are my magic ~ discovery's child;
                                   all beauty I find by your heart imbued.
                                   When you depart at the end of my days,
                                   cradle my soul in arms gentle and mild.