Word Reaches Us

Word reaches us that you are sleeping, sleeping. Dismayed we have turned to the sea. We encounter among others walking there a sense of what we have lost: the broad expanse of humanity’s sensitivity to the oneness of itself. Gabrielle, while you sleep, resting your nimble brain, we think of walking with you in the valley of the shadow of death; holding you up. We hope you can feel our grief; our sorrow vast like the ocean that draws us. We know in this moment you teach us many things: how all across the world there is no one who deserves this fate. We know we must bleach and sterilize our tongues, brighten with understanding all our dark thoughts. Sister, whom I never met except in this pain that has so wounded you thank you for reminding us through your suffering and your suspenseful sleep that we must change.