Lamar Howell's Weblog

The light went out for those among our friends

So sudden, like a wind that slams a door

Not slowly, as when darkness closes in,

or tides that sweep a castle from the shore

The blood drained from our faces, chilled our hearts

Our sobs absorbed within death’s hollow walls

We bent, we broke like trees against the dark.

We spoke their names – and choked – in homes and halls.

Who feels our loaded weight of grief and loss?

They say a child was born to bear our grief

to take our pains, our crimes upon a cross

Our part – a simple prayer and pure belief.