All You Left Behind

We found your pocket knife beneath the glass in the driver’s seat

And your Longhorns cap torn beneath the bill

And a Johnny Cash CD case was covering your gold Camino shell

There were some papers in an envelope on Kenny’s desk

Instructions for the time that you’d be gone

And if anything should happen, your last requests: The Gospel and a song

Look at all you left behind

Randall picked up Sophie off of White Bridge Road

WIth that kind of news we thought she shouldn’t drive

And he brought her back to Briarwood where dear friend’s cars were lining either side

Laura’s in the kitchen in pure disbelief

Just hours ago she watched you drive away

And the dogs ring the bell on the back door like they’re trying to escape

Look at all you left behind

I see you in your black robe - snuffing out the lanterns

Teaching us to not be afraid of the dark

I see you stripping the altar - or banging on a casket

Telling God you hate things the way that they are

I see you on epiphany - all the trees in a bonfire

Oh how you loved watching them burn

I see you wearing your skull ring - thumb in the ashes

Reminding us to dust we return

On Wednesday night we gathered at the church to grieve

Of course we got there late so we sat on the front row

The room was full behind us - people lining up with stories to be told

I was looking for some hope that this was not the end

Of this very place where you poured your life out

I needed to see a way forward

All I had to do was turn around

And look at all you left behind