We Sat as Four

by Henry Burt Stevens
11/11/2003

 "First visit with my sister-in-law
 since my brother's death"

We sat as four, myself
my wife, my sister-in-law
my nephew's mother-in-law

Eating fine food
shrimp, crab from the sea
cheese, probably from Italy

Crisp salad from California
with dressings from
who knows where.
We talked of all
the blandest things

How long to drive from here
to there, a few days future plans,
my wife's sore foot.

As quickly as it started
it was over
We hugged goodbye and
hoped to see each other
again in a year, or more.

Unsaid, unasked was
why their God punished
my brother so.
Why held and suffered at
death's door for years
before he died.

What was his crime,
and why the price?

Their faith, their God has
answers for all that happens
surely they could have
told me.

When we sit four again
next year
I'll be sure to ask.