This poem was composed by
Marguerite Weaver Heckert
East Vaughn, New Mexico
25 Apr 1964
In memory of
Carl Velisca Manker
7 Aug 1899 - 22 Apr 1964
THE MANKER ETERNAL WHEEL
Take another spoke from the wheel
My friend and brother is gone.
The Eternal Circle is widening now
To reassemble in the great Beyond.
Eight strong spokes held the rim in place
'Round a hub that was tempered and true
Held together with brotherly love
For each had a task to do.
Then one was called to meet his Maker
And went to live in Heaven.
The wheel ran on but was saddened now
Because there were only seven.
Brothers united in a wheel of love
But God needed yet another
To build his Wheel in Heaven
He called another brother.
Comfort our hearts, O God,
For we understand not Thy ways.
We are saddened by the loss of another spoke
And sorrow fills our days.
Yet, may we with certaintly know
As our hearts are sealed by Thy love
That as the spokes are lost below
Thou buildest a wheel above.
Someday the flowery hub will be empty
As temple bells softly peal,
But at God's feet will be complete
The Manker Eternal Wheel.
(Note: She did not know that a total of three brothers had preceeded Carl in death.)