Jon¹s Ascension

by Vincent Guo Guo
So deep and so profound his feelings for Jon that I had to force him to deliver it at the eulogy session on Friday night and now publish this for all to see.


He came
Tall so he could see the earth's expanse
Like a giant in the company of men
Slender so he would not eclipse
Those who trod the on lower ground
Mighty so he could shield the helpless
From the ravages of hatred and injustice
Unfettered that he might set free
Those bound by oppression and ignorance
And tender, for he knew the hardest of shells
Sought only to protect the softest of hearts.

He saw
Life through his own pure spectrum
Faith in the faces of the faithless
Peace where only conflict could be found
Justice, whose blindness was his vision
Warmth in the bleakest hearts of winter
Poetry in the taunts of the alienated
Joy, even when only sadness remained
Honesty in the words of tricksters
Wisdom in the acts of fools and traitors
And Love, unconditional, uncompromising.

He conquered
Fear, with his sword of shining courage
Pain, for he gave it no power
Longing, his being naked in completeness
Loneliness, because he never walked alone
Misery, for his tears were only of joy
Anger, subdued by his compassion
Hatred, for what man has time for hate?
Prejudice, for in diversity he thrived
Time, though it waits for none and nothing
And Death, for in our hearts, he is Immortal.