Nephews

Their shovels grate rock and gravel to fill 
the grave she’d scoff empty of their grief— 
“Hey, guys, I’m with God!” she’d proclaim. 
“I’m not here, guys! I’m with Jeeeeezus, singing!”
She, the guru Champion of Miners to China—
the Pretty Rocks Assessor who made flint shine—
the Prime Minister of Girl-Friend Confidences—
She, Queen of Rock Chuck Hill, would laugh.
“There’s nothing there!” she’d exclaim, if she
were here to boss them how rocks are tossed. 

But, even with the joy God’s glory sings, 
how can laughter fill heaven’s hall 
while these boys strain backs to fill the first 
empty thing their hearts have ever found 
on this earth, where (except for what 
they cover) Aunt Jen, the Great and Good, is not?