This afternoon, good news was received that

another had favorably survived brain surgery;

but a few short hours later, I heard the bad news

that I had lost a friend, and this was a shock to me.

For two months I had prayed for the former;

but the answer came not quick,

for the latter, there had been no pleas,

for I knew not, that you had even been sick.

Just who was this Welshman, who swaggered so proud,

a Change-Ringer, Choirman, who sang deep bass notes, not loud?

Ed was a musician, many years ago, and performed

with a group, whose name I do not know.

A fellow smoker, who would tip his hat to you,

and quick as a wink, smile, bid you a toast,

then --- down his drink!

He worked many a year as a programmer,

making places of business secure,

traveled to foreign lands, designing access systems,

alarms, and more.

Writer, Author, Wordsmith, and even Mentor,

he critiqued my poems, which were always verbose,

saying, "Tommy, my lad, say more with less,

trust me, a Tanka could never be worse."

I'm told by others, he was not prone to speak out;

but to me, he spoke freely, things his agile mind was about.

For six years I've known you, and many a "tune" we've crooned,

we shall always remember you, when e'er we sing,

"O Sacrum Convivium."

Ed, as you go before us, to prepare a place, know this,

to your friends at The Cathedral, you'll surely be sorely missed.

All about the history of Change Ringing,

t'was you who explained to me,

"Ask not for whom the bell tolls

for, (my friend) it now tolls for thee."

I bid you adieu, mon ami, Ed Reese,

and wish you the words in the anthem, "Deep Peace."

By: Tom Hyland, December 11, 1995