Tommy Makem

Below is a poem written by Tommy Makem for Tom Rowe's funeral mass.
Recently at the Milwaukee Irish Festival Tom Rowe's son Dave read these words at a tribute to the man who wrote them. Tommy Makem died on August 1st, 2007 leaving a void in the hearts of many.
Tommy you will always be on my mind and forever in my heart.


TOM SONG
(for Tom Rowe)
by Tommy Makem
Feb. 2nd, 2004


Following the rim
Of life's circle, Tom,
We saw your light
Shining bright and crisp
As a frosty moon.


Long before
The sound of your song
Tuned our ears and hearts,
And set our senses spinning
In their own circles,
We saw your body pulse
With the rhythm
Of the earth;
Throb with the power
Of the grey green deeps;
Lift with the spirit
Of the west wind;
And then soar
Like a lark at dawn.


Your song bore us
To other places
And other times,
Buoying the heart,
Balming the soul;
Renewing our hope,
Celebrating our joy.


In a saddened
Tawdry world
We were bettered by your coming,
Blessed by your presence,
Lessened by your going.


We are comforted
In our knowing
That your song
Has no end.
We hear it
In the wind's singing;
In the earth's heartbeat;
In the symphony
Of the wild sea's crash
On the rocky shore;
Its whisper
On silver shingle.


We see you
In the seabirds dance,
Circling and surging
In a brilliant ballet
Of other-worldly grace.
Charon the boatman
Will recognize
Your brightness,
And give you
Pride of place
As you row the Stix
And raise the song
On another voyage.


So, sing sweetly Tom,
Down the fleeting years,
Echo and re-echo
To glad our open
Hearts and ears
Waiting here
On another shore.
Sing sweetly again,
And know that we
Hear and cherish
Your unending song
Circling, circling,
Circling... ....