Why was yours the stained glass that cracked?
“Nothing ever happens on a Thursday,”
My bearded teacher would joke
And nothing – nothing – did pass
Till nothingness barged inside
52 Thursdays from last.
You were young but 28 years
Are years not counted with clocks
But loves and hates and miles
And a leaky trail of once-known souls.
(Soul, why do you rise when most
Violated or when Benjamins care?
I could ignore you for years
If you did not engage me with blows.)
I did not know you best or deepest
As we became the men who once inhabited 4 year
Old hearts that were hearts
Because there was no best or deepest then.
Then there were only games and jokes
And me wishing I was you
-I, I the sensitive one
So why was yours the stained glass that cracked?
52 Thursdays ago
Is a deep mystery in a cold cave
That I will never find
Thanks to you.
Thank you
For being a soul and seeing souls in
Chests that imprison
Until the restoration of all things
Such as your body.
![Bryan Wandel](https://i0.wp.com/humanepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Wandel-photo-3.jpg?fit=100%2C77)
Bryan Wandel works in government finance and has studied history, accounting, and religion. He is a member of the editorial board at Humane Pursuits. Bryan’s writing has appeared at Comment Magazine, First Things, and elsewhere.