Stand and pray
even in the midst of death
and dying
all around – 
the thunderous sounds 
of souls crashing,
the stench of life-long illnesses
yet to come,
the fearful courage
of men climbing toward the fight – 
stand and pray
even as death
rips at your own life – 
stand and pray 
as they who have walked 
the heavenly road 
before us have, 
even as death mocked
their words and actions – 
stand and pray
as did 
Jeanne
and
Lisa
and
Jon
and
Steve,
Bill and Bob,
Lois,
Rozanne,
and Anne – 
stand and pray 
as
did
Mychal*. 


*Happy Anniversary, my friend.