November 1988

For Richard

so many years ago

we sang

a song of praise to God

a song I sing again tonight

alone

you

my dearest

oldest friend

were not here

I wept

with joy that I could praise my God

here

far from home

with sadness

my friend

that you are not here

celebrating with me

I remember years

we celebrated together

so long ago they seem

they are almost enough

although

I long to sing with you once more

the song we sang back then

Sing alleluia to the Lord!

For Richard, who is not dead

but the times we shared

are now long gone.