Remembering

Requiem
By Wendell Berry

We will see no more
the mown grass fallen behind him...

In the day of his work
when the grace of the world
was upon him, he made his way,
not turning back or looking aside,
light in his stride.

Now may the grace of death
be upon him, his spirit blessed
in deep song of the world
and the stars turning, the seasons
returning, and long rest.

In loving memory of my father, Thomas E. Fernald, who died December 21, during the longest night of the year. He was 86.