Beyond the Veil - The Inescapable Curtain

From the Music House Dale City FL 

  Beyond the Veil - The Inescapable Curtain 

Homage to Richard Harrison, a gentle Warrior on the first anniversary of his going to sleep and waking up in the presence of his Lord and Savior King Jesus Christ.

I remember Rick as if it were yesterday. A one of a kind man, quiet and determined, sharp minded, prudent in life, trustworthy and faithful to his Lord Jesus Christ and our friendship. We met everyday for about 10 years, worked together, shared meals and the important things of life together. Strong in his convictions and very wise when it came to share his personal life especially when the talk turned to Vietnam. He was a good artist, well read. We could spend hours walking around a park, enjoying nature and discussing many themes from Bible to good English Literature and history, ancient and modern, and philosophy.

We shared our love of country and deep and consequential matters, and good movies, art, music and anything that enhances and makes the heart glad to be alive and fills the soul and spirit with good things.

We had a similar background he in the the US and me in French Algeria and the ravages of war on our young souls and hearts susceptible to nationalist and patriotic yet with enough grains of salt in our shared salt shaker resembling an hour glass, always finding balance and wisdom in the pages of the Bible and strengthening each other with a determined resolve to fight the good fight till the end. This is the kind soft speaking courageous battle companion that I knew and still remember with a heart full of gratitude and eyes filled with tears as I remember and keep him in the box of my most cherished memories. 

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father who allowed us to meet at a time when we needed brotherly support and friendship. He is sorely missed. 

But the Lord Jesus wasn´t finished with us yet. He sent me another brother a few years ago, Richard´s brother, Robert Jack Harrison, and during this time we built a strong bond as brothers in Christ who pray and share a lot of things together.  Psalm 133:1. "And yes, we both have while beard and share the same love for Poetry. He writes beautiful poetry that lifts up the spirit and fills the heart with love for nature, people and animals created by our Creator God.

Here is a poem that I wrote as an epitaph to a dear Lady that I never met who was of the same mind, heart and purpose in life as my friend and brother Richard Harrison the gentle warrior.

 The Inescapable Curtain

Written and published by Jean-Louis Mondon
 
 The Blessed Death of the Righteous
1The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil. 2Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.…Isaiah 57:1,2.


  The dreams of youth germinate
Into cocoons of silky threads
Patiently woven over endless years

Butterfly wings overburdened
By teary clouds hoping
To find their final abode
Among fading flowers
Gathered in passing

Memories collected
In our music boxes
Loose their fleeting hold
To awaken yet again
The dear voices of the past

And the steps of the dance
Wind down and fade discreetly
  Behind the curtain
Up and away the soul flies
In a flutter of wings
 
Then, later on, the box opens again
And the notes chime anew
On the shelf of remembrance
 
Jean Louis 
 
 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16
 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall"  I Peter 1:24 New International Version (©1984)