Stone upon Stone in Sand

 

Gray still sky over

Roiling silver sea,

Soaking gold to slate

Slabs of sand.

Satin rocks, ancient rocks

Worn and beaten

Smooth by

Merciless waves.

My brother is dying.

Her whispers cast

To deaf waters.

Salt to salt,

Whispered over and over.

Three speckled rocks

Chosen by grace.

One rock resting

in a noisy room,

Whispering silently

My brother is dying...

One rock for bedside

Where whispers and tears merged.

One rock more--

At last, gazing at her

Blessed brother, eyes closed, 

In steel gray casket.

Tucking a smooth

Ocean stone into icy hand.

My brother has died.

Tears to tears,

Sea to earth,

Cold hand to warm,

Words silenced,

Whispers lie heavy
in the heart. 

 

Dedicated to Robert Peck

 

January 14, 1951 - May 19, 1997

 

My brother

 

Sing a Song for Him

Source

Sing a song 

for

Robert…

On a soft night in May,

What had begun, quietly ended.

Room dimly lit,

Shrank into darkness.

Hands held tightly 

Unfold and fall.

Sing a song 

for

Him.

My brother Robert Peck  1951 - 1997