Stones and Breath
 
If I could tell of the lives on these stones,
breathe the breath of life into marble so that faces materialize,
eyes brighten, laughter comes like waterfalls... tears like rain.
 
If I could live long enough to walk stone by stone through every life,
to open up joy as light as air,
heartache like the whole world on your chest, and courage
they were men, they were lions, they were lambs.
 
If I could tell just one life, and by the telling change just one life, change your  life
then take a humble hour now, put down your cares and listen closely to a life from long ago.
 
 Mark Perkins, Pastor, Front Range Bible Church
shepfrbc@mindspring.com
 
I am preparing a biography of Captain Jon E. Swanson for a Veteran's Day service at our church.  Each year we observe the lives of Americans who gave their all for their country.  This is the prologue that I've written for the day, and I would be honored if you would consider it for posting on your website along with the other poems there.  Every year I walk the stones at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, and I wrote this with that experience in mind.  Please use it if you feel it is fitting.

Posted: 31 October 2002