To my Darling,

I am going away for a while. Treat my absence as if it were death.

Imagine my body in a place where the Earth nurtures, the sky nurtures, the sea nurtures. I will be growing towards the sun. Please celebrate. Remember the silver bells of my laughter and allow your soul to dance in the soft light of my memory.

Daily, do these things: Hold flowers closer to your heart than anything else — press them into your breastbone until their hum becomes your hum; stare at your palms and admire their beauty; write lists (the flavours of my kisses, the colours of my irises as they bloom throughout the day); when the birds cry out to you, listen — they are trying to tell you something.

I am dying, Dear, in this moment only. Shut your eyes gently when you long to be close to me (I will always be there. I will not fleet). Rest assured that I will be doing the same.

With love,
Your Red Rose.