The Tuft Of Flowers by
Robert Frost

I went to turn the grass once after one 
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun. 

The dew was gone that made his blade so keen 
Before I came to view the levelled scene. 

I looked for him behind an isle of trees; 
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze. 

But he had gone his way, the grass all mown, 
And I must be, as he had been -- alone, 

'As all must be,' I said within my heart, 
'Whether they work together or apart.' 

But as I said it, swift there passed me by 
On noiseless wing a bewildered butterfly, 

Seeking with memories grown dim o'er night 
Some resting flower of yesterday's delight. 

And once I marked his flight go round and round, 
As where some flower lay withering on the ground. 

And then he flew as far as eye could see, 
And then on tremulous wing came back to me. 

I thought of questions that have no reply, 
And would have turned to toss the grass to dry; 

But he turned first, and led my eye to look 
At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook, 

A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared 
Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared. 

The mower in the dew had loved them thus, 
By leaving them to flourish, not for us, 

Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him. 
But from sheer morning gladness at the brim. 

The butterfly and I had lit upon, 
Nevertheless, a message from the dawn, 

That made me hear the wakening birds around, 
And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground, 

And feel a spirit kindred to my own; 
So that henceforth I worked no more alone; 

But glad with him, I worked as with his aid, 
And weary, sought at noon with him the shade; 

And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech 
With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach. 

'Men work together,' I told him from the heart, 
'Whether they work together or apart.' 

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — JoAnn (Miller) Loy, 76, of Walnut Creek, 
died unexpectedly Thursday, April 15, 2010, at John Muir Medical Center, 
surrounded by loved ones.

JoAnn was born Feb. 17, 1934, in Bottineau, N.D., to Gertrude and Bert 
Miller. She grew up in Kramer, N.D. After completing high school and nursing 
school, she proudly served her country as First Lieutenant in the United 
States Air Force.

Of the many blessings in her life, JoAnn was proudest of her daughter, 
Desiree, who was born Feb. 1, 1959, and raised in Hampton, N.H.

JoAnn was a nurse for 40 years. She retired in 2001.

She is survived by her sister, Nettie Miller of San Francisco, Calif.; 
as well as many relatives in Montana and North Dakota. She leaves behind 
wonderful friends in Walnut Creek, San Francisco, and New Hampshire, 
particularly Justin and Emily Looser of Portsmouth, who always considered 
JoAnn to be a grandmother to them.

WE REMEMBER: JoAnn's daughter Desiree graduated from Winnacunnet High School 
and went on to serve in the Air National Guard. After Desiree lost her life 
in an Air Force jet at Beale Air Force Base in California, JoAnn moved to 
Walnut Creek to be closer to her sister. JoAnn came home to the Seacoast 
every May to visit her dear friends and to honor her daughter on Memorial 
Day. She will be laid to rest in Hampton alongside Desiree.

JoAnn was a passionate, caring, and selfless person. She was a friend to 
all who knew her, and always found thoughtful ways to support the ones she 
loved, while never asking for anything in return. A skilled craftsperson, 
JoAnn's friends loved receiving her hooked rugs and stockings as gifts. 
She loved to travel and visited many countries throughout her life, 
returning home with wonderful stories she loved sharing with her friends. 
A dog lover her entire life, she spent hours each day at the dog park 
with her sweet Joey, both of whom established great friends there. JoAnn 
will be greatly missed by those who were blessed to have their lives 
touched by her.

SERVICES: A gathering to celebrate her life on the Seacoast she so loved 
will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at Rudi's Restaurant in 
Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, JoAnn asked that donations be given to 
the Animal Rescue Foundation, the SPCA, or other animal protection and 
rescue groups.