An address to my brothers

Conrad Vincent Eydmann
Benjamin John-Paul Eydmann
Thomas Peter James Eydmann
Gregory Joseph Patrick Eydmann

Brothers, do not leave me to make my own way, on the shoulders of
strangers down the aisle. Only for a short while carry me. The last
time. Float me on the structured melody of Pachelbel's Canon, and I
will not seem heavy.

(SANCTUS, Sanctus, Sanctus)

All eyes turn towards my case of wood, draped with lilies and prayer
and I will not say "Do not weep", just hold me, as you always have. And
walk slowly, like you never do. And remember my face before it melts
into the lakes of memory, eternity breathing on the shores of
existence. Make sure your suits aren't creased when you are my
pallbearers as well as my brothers.

(Benedictus, Benedictus qui venit in nomine, Benedictus in nomine
Domini.)

Blessed is he who comes in a name. In what name will you walk Gregory ?
I will not hear the beautiful baroque melody, I know you Conrad will
love. So be a man. And all that raw sunlight entwined round the smoke
mapped stone pillars, watched by Lawrence and Nicholas, by Edward and
Peter, will hold all the love of years in tears forever. Say goodbye,
as I say goodbye now. Leave the tabernacle empty.

(Benedictus, Benedictus qui venit in nomine, Benedictus in nomine
Domini.)

Brothers do not leave me alone in a cold room with only candles for
company the night before. Please stay with me. Show me to my friends
and protect me like you always did, for the last time. Benjamin
remember all those books and records and long, long days when we had
nothing to do except taste life. Thomas, do not doubt. Do not be afraid
to touch me if you cannot find the words. Perhaps all the words will
die with me.

(Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria)

And when all the eyes have turned towards you, be glad it is you.
Remember the singing, and the dust in the beam of evening light that
filters through the stained glass windows descending as a sacrosanct
kaleidoscope, into good dreams of bad belongings. That will be the
night before. That will be my wake. That will be the eve of the end of
all things.

(SANCTUS, Sanctus, Sanctus, Benedictus, Benedictus qui venit in nomine,
Benedictus in nomine Domini.)