Before me was the face of stage IV terminal cancer.
NO chemo or radiation would be given.
NO hope, no future was offered,
except which flowed through the plastic tubes
into his swollen veins to control his pain.
His eyes dull and lifeless,
reflected the destruction of body and spirit
that this insidious disease had taken on my brother,
once so vibrant and alive.

I didn't know what to do or say, so I sang for him.
Actually, I sang as much for myself as for him.
I sang the soulful chants that we shared a love for,
that we learned in the cathedral we grew up in--
Gregorian chants and hymns to our merciful God.
I stroked his shoulder and held his hand
and sang "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy",
wiping the tears away as I realized
that the mercy I was praying for was his speedy passing.

I longed for the days when his deep baritone
would meet my tenor as we tried to outdo each other;
"How great Thou art, How great Thou art!”
So I sang it solo. His eyes met mine with a flicker of memory.
And in that moment, I felt an eerie feeling of joy.
We shared that last song, though he sang only with his eyes.
He squeezed my hand  and  we were in the cathedral once again.
The ancient ***** bellowed shaking the air mightily.
Our voices resonated and filled the cathedral with glory!
“So sing my Soul my savior God to thee….”
Always will I cherish our  final song.