At least the virus waited
till you turned eighty-one
still too soon, too early
in your full-bodied life
husband and lover
father and grandfather
passionate dancer
though only with your wife
skilled potter
motorcycle fiend
today we celebrated
and mourned
heard you son choke up
remembering
your daughter speak
her gratitude and praise
your humor
wisdom as a father
your wife tell of your friendships
not so many but lifelong
and deep
and now you sleep
a man well loved
who lived life to the full
Jerry Hult sleep well