We Came to Know the Man

we came to the place
of the river of tears
and the river was dry
the sky was bright
yet there was no thirst
many were strangers
from far corners of earth
witnesses to truth
spoken from the sparkle
in our eyes
from the tenor
of our voices
from songs
of our souls
and in that moment
we transcended
to a higher place
higher than our 'selves'
to the heaven within
that moment of truth
that precious moment of if
if the judgment panel
were composed of people
passed by for a second
chatted with casually
for a minute or an hour
associated with for years
or committed to for lifetime
all said and done
the songs sung
the glimpses through
sparkling windows of soul
that danced on the altar
validated this single life
as a treasured stone on earth
now become a living rock
among the trembling stars
for in that brief moment
of truth we came to know
and judge the man
worthy of the light

For Tommy Derrick Young
My beloved Cousin and Friend
June 20, 2006 - 4 0'Clock A.M.