A teenage girl kisses her father goodbye,

not just before leaving for school as usual,

but halfway through her hair and makeup.

Later on her Mum comes upstairs

and after a while comes in to tell her

that Dad has passed away.

Together they go in to see him,

still in his bed, as before,

but, now, no longer there.

Skin like wax, lifeless,

no longer unconscious,

as he had been earlier.

His parting gift to her

an awareness of

spiritual connection.

He had called her

and she heard.

Goodbye.