His smile was something I will always remember

It started in the depths of his rough hairy cheeks

Spreading to embrace the wrinkles of a high forehead

His concern for the children could be seen in every step

As he called to each of them sharing the glad brightness

The fragile warmth of the winter sun.

Although he had no children of his own, the gentle regard

He had for them trailed easily about him from the dark turban

To the tips of fingers rough worn by mud and stone

With which he helped build the walls to keep out the cold

And shelter families from the sand and storm.

But for the children these same hands held a different kind

Of magic as he could weave in pieces of wood, paper and thongs

New life breathed in shape of dreams long ago abandoned.

Lost in shadows he spun before them their dark eyes quick

With excitement, cheeks resting in cupped hands as they listened

Still and enraptured by the hushed tones that fell like soft rain

Into the frigid earth quietly stippled in the half shadows of evening.

Knowing then the clock of his life had reached again into his soul

He would take his leave of them to find a quiet place where he could repair

The strains of daily living, quietly lifting his heart with thanks

For the small blessings that each day did drop quietly into his being.

Arms and body lifted in a quiet pattern of fulfillment, the litany

One with peace within, his voice carried in a wash of grateful prayer

Which marked his place and filled him with the grace of acceptance.

That he has gone now, leaves an empty space within many hearts

Of which mine is one. For these past months I have retraced

Steps of childhood to once more share that place of dreams

With one who with a quiet, crooked smile could still the hurt

Within my heart and lift my spirits with tales of daring deeds

Painted visions --- heroic tales of other times

In living memory, growing before my eyes.

For a moment then we would hesitate together, our minds rooted

In a fair world of fantasy, faces smoothed and lost to all

Save those who share the dream with us.

Myself and my uncle -- the Wizard of Kandihar. 10.12.01