by Peadar Ban
How the sun rose today, hesitant and shy
Behind a curtain of thin clouds across the sky.
How the many colored birds held back
Their song; silent feeding telling lack
Of joy, of life suddenly gone slack.
This is the first day on earth without my friend.
Bill Burke, who was easy to love, is dead.
Is that why, sun, you rose hesitant
Shrouding glory behind clouds blown thin?
Did you know him? Did you see him here
As he was when I first saw him and last
Marveling at beauty present, beauty past,
Amazing me and all with joy sincere?
Song lovers do you wonder at the silence?
Know the secret reason? Can you tell
Why there is no solitary bell,
Tolling, moaning in the distance
To match the deep, deep moan within?
Calm the air, calmer still my soul.
Nothing stirs at the center of all,
And I imagine heaven’s gates have closed
Behind him whose jolly voice disposed
Of worry, sorrow and despair.
Now, I must release him to God’s care
But I don't know. I don't know.
It is so very hard to let him go
Until dear hope brings sight of him again.
