My sister Adele… she write this down
The day we lost our Tracey in Johannesburg
We were on the farm that day
Bleak highveld winter
She was chopping out a dead tree when word came
This is her testimony
Bleak highveld winter’s day
Unknown graves
Forgotten loved ones
Chopping out a dead tree
Word came
Tracey died
Through tears I chop
Why Lord… why
Why… why
Why her
Why now
The ax-head came loose
Another pain
Another knowing
Tears the veils
Climbing down the tree
Apologizing
For each blow of the ax
Finding footing
Hand over hand
Finding acceptance
Death is life too
Holding the dead tree close
Both crying for life
Blood from the cut
Spilling life
Welcoming earth
I kiss the tree
A brief moment
We share life
That passes
I pray Lord why
My need
I know
Death is life too