two pillars

1.
it seems death
is all around these days

sad and ancient teacher
lecturing each of us
with unknown words

two pillars
in one week

two momentary mentors
now leave us alone

two communities
meeting in me

how can I not grieve

how can I not fear
the world has become
that much colder

and I
much older



2.
bitter biting winds of January
speak through snow

losses remind me of my rage

icy roads kill
as sure as cancer cures

the calamities of age


3.
you may rest now
I suppose

(check in with God about it, eh?)

I rest less now knowing
there is still the quixotic work
that you began

some idea I heard...

from a pastor
who thought it useful
not paying the taxes
which fund war...

and a Quaker
veteran...

for peace


4.
the sun is leaving again
on her daily betrayal

sucking the remnants
of illusions and clarity
from all of my eyes

i know more than ever
there is fulfillment
amidst such appearances
of nonsense

i know too now
that death is only real to those
who have never seen

the grasses of the arroyo
enshrined in life's glow

and the ravens dancing

free



4.
you knew something
of the nature of life

you knew the truth of peace
in your heart

and so helped the rest of us
begin to see

at least its possibility
in the world

and to begin our own work
duly mentored

of finding
our own
hearts

peace



6.
Who now
can fill your shoes

stand where you stood

hold the space that
you held in the world

write the letters
you wrote

speak the truth
with such eloquent
humility

who will take the time
to commit their lives

to ending war

who will resist
so gracefully

without dogma

who will shine the light
of their awareness

of their Creator

into the world now
each day gently

as you did

who will care for His creation
revel in the fruits of Her garden

and water the seeds of
a sweeter world


who