A Song of Farewell
Ends Only the Beginning
A fond farewell should only end the start
Of what emerged from nothing to become
Much greater than its origins, a home
For all that’s good and gracious in the heart–
What had begun in silence has grown deep
And richer than imagining could guess,
A tapestry of joy and tenderness,
A score of blended notes that time will keep–
Whose voices came together first in this
True confluence of sound and sweet accord
Cannot again move aught but closer toward
Such harmony as, now it’s found, is bliss–
For in love’s benedictory refrain
Awakens what all hearts must sing again.
With gratitude to all at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, Texas,
and especially to the choir, for welcoming us so kindly during this past year.
Kathryn Sparks
August 2012
Art-Colored Glasses 
Your first stanza is perfect – a fitting start to a lovely poem. How blessed we are when we can use such words to plumb the depths of our own experience!
Thank you, my dear, I really did have both the need and the inspiration to put this one in print. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Beautifully written. The Church of the Incarnation thanks YOU and Richard for all you’ve brought to us and shared. You’ll be missed. God’s speed!
Thank you, dearest Jim, we will hold all of you in our hearts whenever we’re not in your midst.
xo
Beautiful poem, Kathryn, and this brings back memories of my singing days in church choirs, too; wonderful memories touring the east coast, singing the rock gospel solo “Hallelujah!” 🙂 ♫
Then you know precisely the feeling!
xoxo
Did you create those visuals?stunning, really captivating
Yes, I did the drawings. I’m so glad you like them! As you can see, I’m a tremendous fan of flora, one of the many reasons I so enjoy visiting your blog!!
Kathryn; per our talk this AM, e-mail photos to jimrogers2@sbcglobal.net.
Again, thanks for everything, especially your friendship!
My family’s traditional response to this would translate from the Norwegian, roughly, as ‘in like manner’–or in proper Texan: back atcha! So grateful for having met you. 🙂
A wonderful sonnet!
Thank you, Dennis, it truly was heartfelt. Being such a bad technician, I didn’t know for sure if ABBA (etc) rather than ABAB (etc) was actually a sonnet, but this is just how the thing evolved. 😉
Such a sweet farewell. Are you now off to new adventures?
We’re *assuming* we’re off to new adventures, but we’re not *moving* anywhere at the moment–the choirmaster post was an interim one, and the new permanent organist-choirmaster arrived this month. Seems like a lovely person (as does his wife), and he has fantastic credentials, but as you can tell we’ll really miss this bunch of people we’ve come to know and love.
Your drawings are exquisite, Kathryn … your words as perfect. Both swept me into a warm and welcoming place, with beautiful music and flowers.
Just what I hoped, then!
xoxo
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