I may not have wrestled the same demons 
that you must fight…
	… but I have seen evil eyes glowing 
	in the fog-shrouded night.

I may not have fought my battles with the same sword 
that you must wield…
	… but I do bear my own scars 
	and know the pain they still yield.

I may not have walked in the place 
where you are now forced to stand…
	… but I have stumbled many miles 
	across rough and rocky land.

I may not have shed the same tears 
nor felt the same fears in the night…
	… but I do know the taste of salt
	 in a throat that cannot swallow for being so tight.

I may not have ached with hurts 
that are exactly the same…
	… but I do know the burn of acid 
	in my deepest veins.

I may not have finished the path 
that you now start…
	… but I do know the burn of the knife 
	in my own heart.

I will not claim to know exactly how you feel 
about burying your son, your friend or brother…
	… but I have lost many I loved, 
	and my father, and my mother.

I do not pretend to know, 
with me standing here and you standing there…
	… but I hope that you can tell 
	that I do sincerely care.

I pray you comfort, 
and healing, and peace…
	… and that God’s own grace 
	will bring you eventual release.

May his love and presence, 
and the closeness of family and friends…
	… bear you ever forward, 
	toward this hard journey’s end.

And from here clear through the door 
to life’s final home…
	… I pray that you may never feel 
	that you ever walk alone.


H. Arnett
3/25/2023