As I began to unpack a box
near the kitchen window
I admired the flower garden
such an array of colors
Then, I noticed a partially
hidden tiny wooden cross
Curiousity got the best of me
and I walked outside to look
I pulled away the tall weeds
the grass and vines
There, I read..."Anna Marie"
"Our Little Angel"
Tears rolled down my cheeks to
know a little one rest here
I just bought this historical house
I hadn't noticed the small grave
I picked a near-by red rose and
placed it where she rest
I slowly returned to the kitchen
my heart heavy with sadness
It wasn't ten minutes later that I
looked out the window again
I couldn't believe my eyes for I
saw Anna Marie, a little angel
I dropped the plate that was in
my hand and as it shattered
She looked startled at first as she
held the rose I had left for her
Oh My God, she was beautiful
her tiny wings close to her body
Then she gave me a little wave
and slowly, she vanished
I cried out "Noooooo Anna, no
you can't leave, please"
She didn't return the rest of the day
and I cried myself to sleep
The next day I knelt down by her
grave as my tears flowed like a river
Desperately, I tried to search for the
words that were locked in my heart
"Anna", I sobbed, ..."you are welcome
here, please stay in this place
I lost my precious daughter when she
was little, I will love you as my own"
As I looked around, I breathed in
the wonderful fragrances
Lilacs, roses, lavender, lillies, oh
I was surrounded by beauty
I spent the day, pulling weeds on
my knees as blisters formed
I knew this was Anna's flower
garden, I wanted her to return
I didn't know why she was here, but
my maternal instincts tugged at me
I made it a point every chance I got
to look out my kitchen window
A dozen times I looked out hoping for
a glimpse of "my little angel"
It was that last glance, before sunset
that my heart jumped when I saw her
In one hand she held a small wooden
wicker basket, in the other, a flower
One by one she curiously looked for
another, till her basket was full
Then, out of habit, or sensing my
smile, she turned and looked at me
She had the most beautiful blue eyes
and I heard her whisper to me
Not with my ears, because she never
moved her lips, but I heard her
"My name is Anna Marie, this is where
I rest, please let me stay"?
OMG!!!! My eyes over flowed with tears
and all I could do was nod yes!
A sense of joy filled her face and I saw
her lips whisper, "thank you"
And in that split second, she disappeared
and oh, how I cried and cried
She reminded me in many ways of my
own daughter, tho not the same age
© 2002 Raymond Brown (All rights reserved)