Eyes by Diane Barbarash

I wrote Eyes on what ended up being Berni’s last day. Grief hits us all differently. And even though I know that death is part of life, I found myself in this case helplessly unravelling. Every space in my home and even the streets around me had her scent, her presence, her memory. The flowers came from incredibly supportive caring friends and family which buffered my pain slightly, but her light was a constant in my peripheral, and my pain was indescribable.

Berni, my gorgeous German Shephard soul mate, my healing partner and greatest teacher. I miss you so much. You showed me that it was possible to love myself better, and love others more openly and authentically. Your gaze moved deep into my essence, changing me forever.

Thank you to the ones who inspire me daily to be true to myself when I write... Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Steve Earle, Sigur Ros, Kathleen Edwards, Kacey Musgraves, Julie Miller, Rhianna, Future, Bon Iver, Yellawolf, Lights and to songwriters everywhere