Un-published poetry

Dec. 12, 2001 my family's lives turned around. My brother, Tim, died suddenly in his sleep. As is my tradition when someone passes, to deal with the grief, I write poetry. I was going through my old poetry books that I had written in and found a couple of poems that I have not put out there for anyone to read. I feel now is the time that I can do that. Here are a few.

"Untitled"

"Brother, oh brother, my brother dear!"

That is what I would say

if only you were standing here,

yesterday and today.

But your time is here

God has asked for you back,

you know I will shed a tear.

But the love I will not lack.

For though I never said it enough,

and time and again I wanted to

-you were always so rough and tough-

it scared me to say, I love you.

"Untitled 2"

Each little piece carefully placed

in its spot, with perfect grace

finally the work is done

a ship whose battle it had won

just like the life of my dear brother

piece by piece, just like the other

the construction of this life gone by

had its straights, lows, and highs

starting with a thought conceived in the mind

but eventually leaving it all behind

pieces were broken, fixed, and glued

its importance as the pieces new

so, too, my brothers days

each step never mixing his ways

applying the last paint coat on

so did he fall asleep at the dawn

like the maker placing it in a safe place

God did the same with his life, with grace

the creation was finished and finally done

just like my brother, he's finally won!

"Tim"

(this one was published in the program for his funeral)

You are with Grandma now

and little Jacob too,

Jesus and all the others
are in God's house with you.

You, my brother,

regarded with much love,

are standing with God

watching us from above.

Please watch over us

each and every day

and be our guiding angel,

keep us from harms way.

One last thing

before you go

I will always love you,

I just wanted you to know.