I remember his bitter anger which he explained after he chastised
a stranger passing our peace vigil line who thanked him for his service. 
Yet, later he told me with happy pride that his time in the marines
had been recognized, a banner hung bearing his name
and years of service from a lamp post in our village.

Which made me wonder, were not all his years of speaking truth,
teaching children, standing up for justice, part of his life-long service?
May he keep singing peace through us as we push
forward without him through the harsh Mysteries
of what comes next.

Just thinking of him helps me whisper wonder
even with so many deaths arriving on all the airwaves.
Aren’t just as many births meriting our holy wonder
arising before our eyes or lifting off our singing tongues
with every breath, though they are not considered news?
                                                            5/30/2022
                Omer Day 44-Gevurah sh’b Malchut Shechina
                     Boundaried Strength within Majestic Indwelling Presence