BROTHER (Born too soon)

Summer 1958

This morning I open the gift you give me
Wrapped in the thin breath of a Lunenburg County spring

A wreath of mist-scented mayflowers
Fragile skin, palest pink Leaves tough as leather

Grey granite boulders Their rough cries cut
In a dank distant past and delivered
To this hallowed pasture with intense faith
By some fierce and fiery glacier

Keddy Brook sings its bright melody
Thick and brown it skips over stones
Dipping my fingers into its holy well
I sprinkle your invisible bones
In not living, you avoid death
Sweet stranger who now inherits Jacob's land

I christen thee Jacob
Lift you into the hands
Of an all forgiving God

Centuries from now - long after
I am gone - your young spirit
Will splash through this brook
Still dance on this land
Our sacred trust

You bought this for me with your blood


NOTES: Birthed in Elsie's upstairs bedroom
Your only blanket this chilled hush
A solemn murmur of voices
Alone in my room, I listen
Dr. Bennett's feet retreat down the stairs
No one breathes...

2005 Aug 27