Today, February 26, 2019, is the anniversary of my cousin’s Mark’s death. He was killed on February 26, 1995 at the age of 24. I will never forget the day when I was told that he had been killed. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I even asked, “Mark, who?” I thought that I was in a bad dream, which proved to be a nightmare. Even though it has been 24 years since Mark died, still, there are days when I feel as if he died yesterday. When someone in the family dies young, it is a traumatic, shocking, unforgettable experience. Since I am a Christian, I truly believe that after I die, I shall see Mark again, because love never dies. I hope he knows how much he is loved and how much he is missed. I dedicate the poem, “How Much I Love Thee?” in memory of my cousin Mark. I wrote this poem back in 1999 or 2000.
How Much I Love Thee?
As long as the grass is green and the trees with leaves
As long as sweet music sings from piano keys
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
As long as the sky is blue
Me and you
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
As long as the humming birds give song
Always forgiving wrong
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
As long as I can look into your eyes
You the Prize
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
As deep the Pacific, as long the Nile
No matter how long the distance in miles
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
As long as I can get lost in your smile
Just like a child
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.
God my witness, the angels testify
That’s no lie
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee!
ETERNITY.
That’s how much I love thee!
ETERNITY.
That’s how much I love thee.
WORKING THROUGH IT 