Rest in Peace, Joji Kamimura

We leave but we don’t forget

The hearts that touched our souls

The hands that held our own

            and tried to lead us Home

We leave but we don’t forget

The ones who made us smile

The ones who saw the joy in life with lemons

            and made it more worthwhile

We leave but we don’t forget

The patterns in the paint-

The lessons taught with gentleness

            that countered all my hate

We leave but we don’t forget

The strumming of guitars

The waves of sticky summer heat

that beat down the California tar

Oh my friend! You gentle soul!

How could I forget?

You were the first to love me enough

            To tell me I was wrong

And with your courage taught me

            that God’s love is ever strong

I didn’t understand and deeply now regret:

I should have thanked you long ago-

Before your spirit fled.

Now you’re gone

but  I won’t forget.