November 1986

The Rain (part I)

we stood around the gravesite, silent

some bowed low

some bowed high

staring eternally

at a small, dark hole

(out of dust created)

(hence to dust returned)

we heard the words

we sang the songs

we stood then, silent

quiet drizzle falls

soft upon our heads

bowed in prayer

baptism of grief

all stand under

God

from life does call us

God

to Life does lead us

The Rain (part I) and The Rain (part II) were both written on

November 7, 1986 at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church,

Trenton, Ontario, after funeral services for Mr. Sikke Smit,

fellow bass and an uncle of friends.