giver, painter, companion, guide
our center stone, our palmful light
swirled in grays and blue, the lake
sit with me, my heart awake
with ankles crossed and satin feet
your mind the miner of worthy keep-
sakes, rose mom, citron, fleured lapel
the toller of the Good News bell
your keystrokes, gleam, and joyful brush
your chocolate sauce and flaky crust
rememberer and modern line
each surface dear a silvered time
when you were near enough, the most
loved, most real, most faithful host
of all our good, our flaws, our cares
with you our honest selves we bared
intentionally you did the same
so we could know your inside frame-
work, and it was bright and calm and true
with solid ground and open views
imperfect here, now perfect greets
our Sue who crossed the shining creek.

and on her heels, her partner ever
our precious dad, and passion center
connection, voice, a giant man
practitioner of unplanned plans
weather, sports, the hero boy
an oystered world of simple joys
greet us still on green lanais
patios and memory drives
in our corner when burden bends
our steel, be there to recommend
this too shall pass, and strain subsides
you, our constant life ally
Mississippi, and Big Lake reach
clementines on white sand beach
water’s edge was near enough
for you to heaven’s hill and bluff
salesman, speaker, executive
sometimes hard in word to give
but never less relationship
or faithful love, or stewardship
of hearts, a man who waits for us
our Mel who swam the river rush.

oh, when we’re weary from tempered joy
an unfilled breath, a ‘now what’ voice
we lay another stone around
the grief we carry and can’t put down
building up a different living
one without your bodies giving
what we came to know as you
instead we seek your spirits through
wave and color, in wisdom stored
holding dear what you adored
a cooler breeze, a birch wood stand
the company of fellow man
movies, steak, compelling prose
kinship, humor, british shows
whole selves we earthed and etched until
your parting tore our sums, and still
the space that’s left from what’s not here
is flooded with your atmosphere
of love and mirth, assuredness
our priceless promise inheritance
we miss you, we miss you, and feel your light
our parents pooled in paradise.

Psalm 23

John 14: 1-4

Romans 15:13

John 1:14 & 16

Psalm 121

Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.