I lost one of my mentors tonight. We had not spoken in years, yet he was and remains, as my wife put it, one of the pieces of the puzzle that is me.

I cried when I learned a few days ago that he was very ill and would soon be going home to die. I mailed a letter to his home, knowing he would likely never get to read it or hear it, but at least his wife and family might receive my acknowledgement of the gifts he shared with me. I wanted them to know his light is not extinguished, for it still shines in me and the many others he supported and tutored.

My letter will arrive there in a day or two. But two late is too late. I have been too preoccupied with my busy life to keep track of his. So now regret burns a hole in my heart even as fond memories flood down to fill it.

My wife can tell you I do not track all that well the lyrics in many songs. But for sad songs I often do, and tonight is a dark night for me. A night for a sad song from Lucinda Williams in which every word speaks to my tears, my skin, my bones.

We live in a world with tears, and I suppose that is for the best. Like time, they are a great teacher. Rest in peace, Stephen Merton Sutherland, and thank you for being a piece of this puzzle.

If we lived in a world without tears
How would bruises find
The face to lie upon
How would scars find skin
To etch themselves into
How would broken find the bones

If we lived in a world without tears
How would heartbeats
Know when to stop
How would blood know
Which body to flow outside of
How would bullets find the guns

If we lived in a world without tears
How would misery know
Which back door to walk through
How would trouble know
Which mind to live inside of
How would sorrow find a home

If we lived in a world without tears
How would bruises find
The face to lie upon
How would scars find skin
To etch themselves into
How would broken find the bones

If we lived in a world without tears
How would bruises find
The face to lie upon
How would scars find skin
To etch themselves into
How would broken find the bones

How would broken find the bones
How would broken find the bones