"Aloe" a poem by Kyle

"Careful," people say, "or you might get burnt.

Especially if the fire is blazing."

This is a careful tactic when raising

Doubt. Hmm...your thoughts begin to shift and turn.

"The flames lick and lap at my hand," you say,

"And I've been burnt before." Never again.

Sliding back into the sweet lapse of rain

You say, "...come again another day."

I am both the caustic and the remedy

Who but tries to tell the difference between.

I hope it's best to be patient and keen.

Would I, could I help? A small piece of me

Is all I have for you to take or leave.

We can burn or freeze; but why, if it is warmth

Kyle Jefferies Remembered

Kyle was 23 when he died on July 5th in Egegik, Alaska. Kyle was working his sixth summer fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay. Kyle moved with his family to Ellensburg from Champaign, Illinois when he was 9, entering Lincoln Elementary School 3rd grade. He was born on March 7th, 1978 in Eugene Oregon. This past year, Kyle was a graduate assistant at Central Washington University in the English Department teaching introductory English classes. He was simultaneously completing a master's degree in English literature and was hoping to write a thesis about Kurt Vonnegut. Kyle was debating a future career in law or as a university teacher.

In the spring of 2000, Kyle graduated from CWU with a BS in English. As part of this program Kyle spent a quarter in England and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Kyle loved the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and snowboarding. He enjoyed rock and mountain climbing, especially Mt. Stuart. This spring, Kyle snow-shoed up to Mission Ridge from Ellensburg and snowboarded down into Wenatchee.

At Ellensburg High School, Kyle was an outstanding scholar-athlete in football and wrestling, graduating in 1996. He received a scholarship to study and play football at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. After two years the serene, outdoor beauty of the Kittitas Valley, and a missed circle of close friends, inspired him to transfer to CWU. He loved to read and write, draw, cook, and play keyboard, bass guitar, or drums with local community friends. His gentle nature and free spirit will be missed by all.

Program

Musical Selections by Kyle's Friends

Welcome

Prayer - Peter Milligan

Kyle Remembered by Steve

"Born in the USA"

Kyle Remembered by Toni

Music - "Wish You Were Here," Chris, Austin, and Pete

Poem "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry read by Liz

Selection from Kyle's Writing read by Dave Read

Kyle Remembered by Jamie

Euphorian Space Pilots (ESP) with Kyle on organ and Chris guitar

Open Microphone

"An Indian Prayer" read by Scott Staples

Dinner and Slide Presentation

ON THE TURNING AWAY

(Slide Presentation Lyrics)

ON THE TURNING AWAY

FROM THE PALE AND DOWNTRODDEN

AND THE WORDS THEY SAY

WHICH WE WON'T UNDERSTAND

"DON'T ACCEPT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENING

IS JUST A CASE OF OTHERS SUFFERING

OR YOU'LL FIND THAT YOU'RE JOINING IN

THE TURNING AWAY"

IT'S A SIN THAT SOMEHOW

LIGHT IS CHANGING SHADOW

AND CASTING ITS SHROUD

OVER ALL WE HAVE KNOWN

UNAWARE HOW THE RANKS HAVE GROWN

DRIVEN ON BY A HEART OF STONE

WE COULD FIND THAT WE'RE ALL ALONE

IN THE DREAM OF THE PROUD

ON THE WINGS OF THE NIGHT

AS THE DAYTIME IS STIRRING

WHERE THE SPEECHLESS UNITE

IN A SILENT ACCORD

USING WORDS YOU WILL FIND ARE STRANGE

AND MESMERIZED AS THEY LIGHT THE FLAME

FEEL THE NEW WIND OF CHANGE

ON THE WINGS OF THE NIGHT

NO MORE TURNING AWAY

FROM THE WEAK AND THE WEARY

NO MORE TURNING AWAY

FROM THE COLDNESS INSIDE

JUST A WORLD THAT WE ALL MUST SHARE

IT'S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO STAND AND STARE

IS IT ONLY A DREAM THAT THERE'LL BE,

NO MORE TURNING AWAY?

PINK FLOYD

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