The desire was there,
In the back of my mind
Like a Christmas wish;
But it was the haste,
That need to not waste
The extra given moment
That brought me there:

The church yard was empty
(Save for the past, present,
And future of Memory),
And searching landmarks,
I found an extra mound
Beside the one I sought
(An unacquainted cousin).

"He does not lie alone then,"
I thought, "and not unvisited."
For a burned out candle
Witnessed a remembrance.
And I placed my simple,
Bunched offering on the still
Frost-etched December lawn:

Green juniper for hope in winter
(Blue berries for the Season),
Dried yarrow for healing,
Long grass for eternity,
Virgin bower for his youth;
And naturally clasped together
All, in our brotherhood.

12/31/2005

Author's Note: For my camp brother Karlo, the amateur botanist

Posted on 12/31/2005
Copyright © 2025 Leonard M Hawkes