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This poem was read by my friend,
Craig Hergert, at the funeral of a truly beautiful soul,
Heidi Honkamp Mahre. She was an inspiration
in her battle with cancer -- and she was a grand lover of comedy.

I print this for those who've passed ahead of us,
including my father Harvey Burton, who have
shown us what it is to be genuine and true humans.

I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great

I think continually of those who where truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history Through corridors of light where the hours are suns Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition Was that their lips, still touched with fire, Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song. And who hoarded from the Spring branches The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms. What is precious is never to forget The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth. Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light Nor its grave evening demand for love. Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit. Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields See how these names are feted by the waving grass And by the streamers of white cloud And whispers of wind in the listening sky. The names of those who in their lives fought for life Who wore at their hearts the fire's center. Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun, And left the vivd air signed with their honor. by Stephen Spender

by Cheryl Conway Burton