Mark West

(December 2nd, 1959 – May 1st, 2013) My Teddy bear still wears the cross you gave, And fashioned by your working hands with grace And leather strung—I slept last night with soft And golden fur beside me, while my thoughts— To earthen eyes of tears still standing brave When sorrow looms, in time our hearts will chase Your laugh, your smile, and pleasant sav’ry wafts Of roasts and gravy bubbling in the pots “Au jus, au jus,” you’d say with hand in air, And finger pressed to thumb—when speaking of The kitchen work in pubs so long ago. Your party ways you didn’t hide nor spare The essence of your faith in God, in love— I’ll see you there, where milk and honey flow