Dan's Path 5 October 2015

I walk through SALEM HILLS following the twists and turns, the looping and circling of its many paths past oak trees, prairie lawns, sumac lanes and quiet ponds, following also the paths of my thoughts, random, transient, looping just like the park trails. But today, a surprise as I approached a familiar lane of sumac, beckoning me with its new autumn red attire. A plaque pounded into a tree overlooking the lower path caught my eye. The inscription said, DAN'S PATH and an arrow pointed left, the way I was headed. In much smaller print the dates of his birth and death were inscribed. Only thirty years old when he passed from their presence to whom he was a friend or a lover or a brother, so many possibilities but only one fate. I imagine a community of people buried him in a plot, said their final farewells, and then decided upon this memorial path. And on a day perhaps much like today assembled in the woods, chose the tree above the sumac lane, and stood in silence as the plaque was pounded into place. Sheets of sunlight cascaded over you as you said a second final farewell. And then it was over, and you dispersed... But one among you lingered alone, under the tree's shade, staring at the name and occasionally glancing at the path below. I watch over your silence at the edge of speech. What is it you want to say? I am listening. Do you want to say Dan is in God's heaven, with Jesus and the saints? I will bow my head prayerfully. But maybe you believe death is a final end, and Dan now lives only in your memory, forever thirty, virile and healthy, full of more life than thirty years could use up, an excess of being which touches you with its undying promise, it unquenchable spirit. If this is what you say I will applaud the strength of your memory. But perhaps you believe there is an immense cavern in which all of our dead sleep, holding hands and slipping in and out of each other's dreams, and no evil can disturb their delight so perfect is this sleep across eternity. If this is what you say, I will share your smile and we will briefly join hands. Whatever you want to say, Whatever you need to say, say it... I am listening still.