I Am Said I (Huruma)

I am present At his passing This fine strong gentle Man Builder of boats Husband father grandad Deep strength of faith On his knees even In his agony I brought him Communion He loved the sea In me and made Tea Made me feel Special While we talked Galway and other Common ground Fingering old timber Caressed like the tender Flesh of a loved one The last call Talked of hours Urgent Time to heed Better instincts Without hesitation All generations gathered Around his fading moments To sing and say Final farewells Whipsered in his ear One by one Unrestrained Love Anointing Praying Sé do bheatha a Mhuire Child's head Resting on his breast He falls asleep Slips away Rested

I. A bit rough around the edges Said Love With tears And a quivering voice Like the fields he farmed The soil that felt his footfall Strong and straight Loyal Not easy then with Weakness in another Vulnerability became him As with surprising grace He himself surrendered Allowing us a glimpse Of something more tender Faith-filled Praying his way Homeward With an eye for the frailest Left behind II. He is laid to rest now In this land that he loved A calm November day Sun shining, birds singing Breeze blowing Bough of trees bending River flowing Rainbow in a clear Blue sky Last leaf falling Whistling in the wind In this place there is Peace (In memory of Fr. Roger Rafter sac)