an empty chair

left behind

too soon

a brilliant flame

extinguished

too soon

a precious life

returned breathless

too soon

a tender loss

breaking living hearts

too soon

breathless ones

who are far away,

grieving ones

who see empty chairs,

these words

do not mean to break you

again

instead these words

wish to say

we see you

we love you

we will never forget you.

Be in peace,

beloved ones.

 Set to music by Sarah Shapiro, a rising composer and conductor studying at Yale University. Premiered by Spiritus Novus for their COVID-19 Pandemic project “Where Life is Found”.

Recorded by the St. Olaf Choir. Anton Armstrong, conductor.