AS BILLY TOLD ME, ABOUT HIS SAD LOSS;
A DEAR MOTHERS’ GRAVE, UNMARKED, WITHOUT A CROSS.
IT TOUCHED MY HEART, I FELT HIS DEEP PAIN;
NO MORE DID I WANT, THESE FEELINGS TO REMAIN.
I FOUND SOME BOARDS, GROOVES BURNT ON ENDS;
WITH LOVE AND CARE, TOOK TIME TO TEND.
A CROSS I FASHIONED, SCREWS TO TACK IT;
CHISELLED OUT THE NAME, LENA MAY HACKETT.
AFTER SANDING IT SMOOTH, SOME PAINT AND VARNISH;
THREE COATS WE APPLIED, SO IT WOULDN’T TARNISH.
MY BILLY AND I, TO CORTEZ ISLAND BOUND;
THE CROSS WITH US, TO PLACE IN THE GROUND.
TO THE GRAVEYARD, THE CROSS BILLY CARRIED;
TO LEAVE AT HER HEAD, SHOWING WHERE SHE’S BURIED.
NOW BILLY HAS CALMED, HIS TORMENT HAS EASED;
HIS SWEET MOTHERS’ GRAVE, THE CROSS HAS PLEASED.
REST IN PEACE, MOM. 1995
