I stood by the grave, holding the child

And felt your tears, sharing in comfort

The loss of what might have been.

I stood at the bus-stop in the midst of a city

And saw your tears, sharing in comfort

The loss of what this had been.

I stood at the door of an office, empty and silent

Shedding my tears, sharing in comfort

Of those you no longer see.

I stood by the prison gates, waving you in

Shedding my tears, but sharing a longing

For freedom to be what they'll be.

I stood by the tomb in that garden

And your dawn tears dried in a new day's hopes

United by powerless strength.

I stood at the edge of the table

Recalling the vision, your anguish, my pain,

Edging reluctantly forward, baptised by tears.

March 1999