Marilyn dear friend

As I write this today

Things have now changed

You’ve gone on your way

As weekly I wrote you for such a long time

With words of encouragement

To your heart straight from mine

Mere words I would send you

To help pass the time

Words of fun and cheer

Meant to lift heart and mind

Marilyn dear friend

You who freed the spirit in me

To sing, write, and laugh

To savor life so free

You brought back the music

That lain dormant inside

A gift always now treasured

To be shared, not to hide

I look forward with joy

Knowing you again, I will see

And I’ll sing to your playing

Again it will be

I thank you for your passion

And bringing such light

I toast a life well lived

Lived out loud and so bright

As I think of you now and all that you meant

I smile that I knew you

And know you were sent

Let me list how I knew you

In words such as these

And thank God in just knowing

You did so much to please

A spirit so bright, A gift oh so clear

You lit life with such style

And brought life and love near

A light brightly shining

To all who knew why

A beacon of song

In a world passing by

A gift of color and style

Unique, never, bland nor gray

A gift shared with others

From our creator I’d say

From finance to romance

To teacher and friend

She sampled life’s flavors

In bright rainbow blend

An instrument of song

A tune and a smile

She said it all clearly

In her life and her style

Her love of the arts

And her passion for song

Seasoned our lives

To never just play along

A lady of style

"The divine Miss M"

Unique and authentic

Her memory won’t end

Played her life as a song

Told stories in her art

And added a special something

Which came from her heart

Whether baubles or jewelry

Or a special worn hat

She lived life so fully

A life played sharp, never flat

Our lives are now brighter

Than before her we knew

We remember how gracefully

She moved us to view

A life lived so fully

Inspired us true

To be who we are

Not just to be, but to do

I’m reminded of our calling

To love one another

In our very short time

To use our gifts wisely

In thanksgiving on high

We’ll miss you dear Marilyn

In so many ways

And cherish the short time

We shared in this place

But smile oh so widely

Knowing ever so soon

We’ll toast at heaven’s party

To a wonderful tune

So as Jesus now greets you

And asks you to play

His keyboard, our life-strings

Do resonate today

Andy Cirmo 12/4/04