~

here our gathered shadows,
in this hallowed place,
'neath its high hewn beams,
within its vacuous space;
to these storied walls,
we add our sighs of suffering;
to these earthly halls
for you in love we bring
our ties of heart and this,
for you a proxied offering,
for you a plea for peace,
on your behalf entreat,
a prayer for hope, for rest.
as earthly labors cease,
as in the distance,
earthly mem’ry fades,
may all its toil,
its daily rage,
dispelled as vapor be,
and in its place
may love remain,
as you ever rest in peace.

~

*post script.

for those lost from these halls,
taken from us ’fore their time
for Ernest, the Seeker, the Dreamer!

Matt, why didn't you talk to someone?
Why didn't tell a friend how you were feeling?
You could have let out all the sadness
You could have stayed, you could still be here

Matt, your mom is broken
She cries a lot
She wonders about you
She misses you
I miss you

Matt, your little brother is struggling
He doesn't smile as much
And his eyes tell you that he's seen too much
Ryan needs you

*Matt, I need you