Lamentations

Poem by Larry Wray, 2011.

Written during our preparations for our Prague and Dresden Mozart Requiem performances.

Dear Shu,

Of course, I did not know your nephew, but his untimely passing touched me, as did your sadness.  I hope these words bring some measure of comfort.

               Lamentations  

Things of beauty and things of earth,

And skies that do not see,

Fate contrived to mock our mirth

For life has fled from thee. 

Four and twenty are far too few

To know how things should be,

And none so young should e’er construe

That love cannot be free.

You must have walked a lonesome path

Wandering to and fro.

We did not know or feel your wrath,

No visage did you show.

Our sorrow bids the wind lie still,

Breathless as a child at birth.

O could we but your life refill

That you should learn your worth!

All that come see the secret stares

In eyes as innocent as rain,

Images dear beyond compare,

Deep sadness to restrain.

They are all we have now save love,

And remembrances too few.

Solace steams like an unseen flood,

And faith may yet renew.

Had you but chosen to remain

To grace our lives in love! 

We can but wait that last refrain

To be rejoined above.

L. Wray

2011