Dear Distant Friend, where have you gone?
Have you breached that rising, dark beyond?
Beyond this world, this vale of tears,
Beyond all doubts, beyond all fears?

Are you at peace, my spirit's friend?
Or are there still hard tasks to bend
Your back or lessons still unlearned
Or greater loves which you yet yearn?

Do you sing songs, my silent friend?
In Yahweh's choirs past the end
Of beating time in which you shared
Your songs and joy --- your love and care?

Have you seen Truth, my Saviour's son?
Been shown the Many in the One?
Beheld the path of Israel's years
Or tasted every martyr's tears?

Is grief your burden, belov'd one?
For friends and places left alone?
For dreams that never found their Spring?
For bells of joy you'd not heard ring?

Or are we there beside you, Friend
In all the ways you've loved us and
Are all your dreams made real and bright
With all the joys that are or might?

I seek you in the silence, Friend
Amid this Light that knows no end;
This light that shines so bright and free
That I'd know less if not for thee.