If I Went Away

With head lightly bowed and a prayer in our heart, can we see beyond the barrier where the vanished have gone? If I could sing a song designed to bring them home, or perhaps to take me there, what song would I sing? What words would hold the secret?
If I could sing a song to bring my father back, if I could lower my head and concentrate and discover something more than a thought or memory, or if I could touch his shoulder the way I did the evening he died and have him smile; what song would bring him home?
If I could go where he went and somehow come back, I would begin to pack. If I could go now, I would go. If I knew the words to the song that races across the dark and says 'come home', I would sing with all the voice I could find. I would sing today. With rain pelting my roof as I think, and thoughts of what was lost, I would sing with tears in my eyes and a catch in my throat, yet I would sing fully and with all I could find, if I could bring him home.
For the children that died young, I would sing the song.
For the peace seeking fallen soldiers, of any nationality, I would sing the song.
For the store clerk in the wrong place at the wrong time, I would search for the lyrics to bring them home.

Is there no song? No song I could sing that would change the path, and bring them back to their mothers, fathers and friends? Is there a song for my funeral, if I went away? Would you sing my song for me, if I left the words behind?

If I went away, what would I sing? Would I sing a song to bring you across to me?

Would you sing a song for me? Could we sing a song from either side that filled a universe of dark? Could we sing a song that moved us back and forth from what was, to what might be?

If I went away, would I find the words to sing for you? Would you sing for me?

If I Went Away?