Lars Persson

Extortion 17.

Peace, Kraig Vickers, this is a song about you,

And the men who pulled together with you.

You learned the art of sacrifice young and were

Called to exhibit your craft by a humble and powerful tribe.

 

You were a man of the sea, and having mastered nature’s

Most powerful body, it was fitting that you would be called

To offer yours in the face of great struggle.

 

Father, son, husband and brother – you were also master

Of those roles and the family you so loved is now forever

Solemn. For the dark offspring of your noble acts are not

At peace with us yet.

 

Peace to your children and their happy smiles,

May we offer grace and accord to their fatherless lives.

 

Peace to you Kraig, it would have been nice to meet you.

An easygoing sailor from Maui, you could have taught so

Many about the ocean, life and brotherhood. One day

I will take my family to Maui, to Kokomo, and enjoy

For a moment, the place that made you.

 

Peace to you, Kraig Kaleolani, you are still a voice in the sky,

Your story remains large, full of courage, guile and might.  

 

Peace to you Kraig, it would have been ok to be afraid

The whole way down. But we know your type, there

Simply was no time. You would be checking the man

On your left, the man on your right, and then readied

Your own kit, hoping, to defy the determined pull of gravity,

For the chance to stare your old foe in the eye, one last time.