Although I will be absent for awhile
    My presence here will longer on.
You will hear my footsteps, see my smile,
    And hours we shared will not be gone.

There will be times when others speak my name
    And memories come flooding through,
Or you hear a voice that rings the same-
    All these will bring me back to you.

You will remember things we said, recall
    Still deeper things our words implied;
I will be absent, but never gone at all---
    My presence with you will abide.
Elaine Ledbetter