Like leaves before a gentle gust of wind,
Your children race before you, past my porch
Where I sit reading on a Sunday morning.
Dressed so neatly on their way to church,
Run Toby, Dominic, and Caroline.

Good books can help us in our journey through
The surface of our life of sorrow---to see
A glimpse, perhaps, of ultimately who
Is the source of your eternal dignity.

In this life, after all is done and said,
On Pine Street and Virginia Avenue
Your family helped create our neighborhood.

After your departure, I will think of you
As an empty house remembers the smell of fresh-baked bread

Christopher Brooks April, 2004