‘…This ain’t him. He ain’t here. This ain’t no more our brother, our beloved. For he ain’t here. Where he is all is well. All is well with Dick Watson. All is well. He has come to a door to a mansion didn’t have to knock to get in. He had heard that voice. He had heard, Oh Lord, thy voice. He has heard, Oh Lord, thy voice. “Brother Watson, come in. Well done thy good and faithful servant. Well done. Enter into the joy of thy Lord.”’

‘Blessed! Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed! Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Children don’t cry no more. Sister Sarah Jane, don’t cry no more. Our brother, where he is, he don’t hear no crying. For his burden is lifted. For freedom has come to him and rest. For where he is ain’t no crying there. Not a sigh. Not a tear.’

The preacher stood then with his hands again open, A beautiful voice sang back from among the people: ”Nooo, not a tear.” The other agreeing voices quieted and fell away. While the preacher regarded the people with his hands still lifted, my father said, an immense quiet came upon them, and the freedom of Dick Watson in that moment was present to them all.

From the story, “Not a Tear” by Wendell Berry