I heard her in daylight unexpected,
Rebuilding my castle by hand,
Bricking the keep in a light sprinkle,
When she called "Larry" 'cross the stand.
For the first time in over ten years
I heard her plaintive call in my mind,
And turned to look, without even thought
That she had been gone full twice that time.
So rich the timbre, so sure the tone
That I saw her face in the rain,
Before I blinked to the memory
Of her passing - and ancient pain.
Then it came to me she'd sent a gift,
Reclaimed for me what had been taken:
Saddest thing mom left was her smile
Which memory had forsaken.
Now her face, smiling and sly,
Comes to me singing an Irish tune,
And though she's still a prankster angel
This gift's as solid as stone from Tuam.
