I want to pray for my friend Stan
but it’s such a struggle.
We address our higher powers
who in the last hours
become one god – Creator, Healer,
Manitou, all gods together,
One Holy See
Snatching spirits from earth
Stan of great mirth away to nirvana
Far beyond where you or I
Are able to see.
We address Shari’s great spirit
who delivers souls from alcohol’s clutch
and renders whole what hurt so much.
Sue’s god,
who sent her with blue-eyed mystery
to offer an arm of love in a night of pain
to let Shari love again.
We address Diane’s Christ
who in a way we don’t understand
loved everyone, especially Stan.
We address Pat’s Protector
who took her round the girth of earth
then made her Stan’s neighbour
to contemplate the universe.
If there be a God for Jan
it is a creation emerged from her
togetherness with Stan
in their life of generosity for others
and their generosity
for each other.
Stan is sitting there
in his bishop’s chair
holding court for the gods
with laughter that never ends.
For a while we enjoyed him here
holding court with us
his friends.
My yearning turns
from the effort of prayer
to the ease
of remembering
as his life ends
Regina, 2003