The sentiments and the rough draft of this poem were actually scribbled haphazardly in my notepad last summer. It didn't take the final form that you see now 'til I ran out of ideas for submissions for the local poetry competition, and pulled it out while looking for inspiration...

-Sm, 03/10/04

--02/03/04,
originally submitted into a local annual poetry competition.

For Fr. Mike, former pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish Church.
You never knew of me...
but I knew of you...

One Last Time

I didn't quite know you,
but I knew of you
and had heard your
strength and spirit
in your speech,
had seen your
conviction and emotion
in your expression
from across the distance
and behind the crowds.

You didn't quite know me,
and you'll never know me,
but it was
good to hear you,
good to see you,
one last time.