There are no ghosts, but as I sit here
Memories are shimmering on the edge of recall.
The shadow of a thought of a recollection.
Nothing more will focus but I feel I want to scribble
Half a word, half a sketch while I’m sitting in this unaccustomed quiet
In your place.

Silence gives way, splintered by memory
The howl of your laughter uncoils in an echo of a thought.
I thought you were brave.
Or was it just persistence?
You must have been strong so I feel I want to share half a smile and a tear
While I’m sitting in this unaccustomed quiet
In your place.

We never quite said what was important.
Instead we sent e-mails and kept each other amused.
You tried to recruit another campaigner,
But I turned you down so I feel I want to share half a word, half a line
While I’m sitting in this unaccustomed quiet
In your place.

Those things never shared
You knew that I meant them.
You should have rejected me, but you took me in as one of your own.
You thanked me many times for making him happy.
I think we should have hugged.
You should have had a new hat.
In your place of private grief and hilarious meals I shed a tear,
In your place.

It’s strange how in death I sing out to reach you.
We put you in the ground and that’s where you’ll always be.
Sometimes you feel near; those memories shimmer.
We could not have been more different, but I feel I want to sing half a line, half a song while I’m sitting in this unaccustomed quiet

In your place.

(Music and lyrics by Marshlander - all rights reserved)