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.