Gene, My Eternal Brother*

Speak now in the voice of peace. 
The poets of the world are rising, 
rising against the storm. 
Speak in your poet’s voice, 
grounded in your father’s farm, 
flowering in your mother’s garden. 
Speak while armies gather at the gates. 
Stand like Samuel on the ramparts. 
Speak so I can hear you in my deepest dreams. 
Speak to me from the ground of my unbelief. 
Speak from our shared hope, our sheltered faith. 
Speak in the words of our charity, our love. 
Let these stand against the words and weapons of war. 

*In memoriam: G. Eugene England (1933-2001)