April Eleventh

LISTEN,
Today we gather to mark the passing of
The wise, strong, old guardian of our triber.
Without him we feel shaken - unsure.
We wonder what the future brings.

Listen.
An oak, a lion, a warrior
Has fallen.
The one who stood at the portals of our city,
Watching ... guarding,
Has passed.
While he was here he gave us strength,
Wisdom and love.
He provided the peace and security we needed
To trust, grow and raise our families.
When the night was dark or the path
Uncertain, we turned our eyes to him
For reassurance.

Listen.
Today we gather to mark the passing
Of the wise, strong, old guardian of our tribe.
He left us while his eyes were still clear,
His heart still strong,
His memories still good.
He left us while food and drink still tasted goo to his tongue
And his mind was alert and eager for new experiences.
We know he has gone on to another city
To stand with the guardians of the past.
And when we arrive at the portals of that place,
Whose vistas we cannot imagine,
There will be a familiar face
To greet us.
That far-off city --
The end of all our journeys --
Will not frighten us,
For he will be there and his presence
Will comfort us.

Listen.
The wise, strong, old guardian of our tribe
Has passed.
But as long as there are people who tell stories,
And as long as there are scribes who keep records,
His name will be remembered and honored.
His thousand good deeds
Will be recalled and recounted,
And his legacy of strength and kindness and love
Will enrich us forever.

Listen.
The body of the wise, strong, old guardian of our tribe has passed;
Yet his spirit and his life are still here,
Residing in all of us.

-- Jeanne Fenimore Levy