No. 226 - Twenty Seven

Do the departed live the lives we dreamed for them?

Is my brother in Montana?
Is he cooking in a Big Sky kitchen?
Is music playing from an old tape player on a metal shelf?

Is his yellow hair under an old ball cap?
Are his Wüsthofs in a metal briefcase?
Is he wearing slip-proof shoes?

Is his laugh heard?
Are his dreams alive?

Are flutes playing in heaven?
Are fiddles whispering?
Are poets conducting symphonies?

Is my brother alive?
Is he watching the tears roll down my face?

Will he always be twenty seven?
Will he be twenty seven in heaven?

Or will he be that beautiful little boy in my memories?

Where is he right now?
Is he with grandpa and grandma?
Are they singing?
Laughing?

I hope they’re holding hands
I hope they’re feeling no pain
I hope they’re beautiful

-Composed, Edited, and Published at The Duda Ranch in Fischer, TX