STARS

A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING, ALSO FROM: SONGS FOR A FRIEND

STARS


HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER
 HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH

HE LIKED THE LEGENDS
THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS
IN THE SKY

HE LIKED THE WAY
THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN
TO FIND A HOME

HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT
HE HEARD THE SOUND
OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS
IN THE TREES
WHEN NIGHT CLOUDS
CAME SCUDDING
ACROSS THE MOON

WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
WHEN SHEEP BELLS
RANG CLEARLY
IN THE DARK

HE THOUGHT HE HEARD
THE STARS SING

PERHAPS THAT'S WHY
HIS FATHER MADE THE SKY GO DARK
BEFORE HE DIED


FRANK A VOLLMER