Poem

I have been very interested in poetry lately as a party of the healing and grieving process.  Reading it, writing it, you name it.  I ran across a poem the other day that really stayed with me.  And I wanted to share it.  If get really brave, maybe, just maybe, I will share some of the poetry I have written (but that is most likely a long shot).  Sorry for the length:

A Sparrow Fell

A sparrow fell - and no one heard.

Nobody cared.  It was just a bird.

From all the numberless flitting throng

Of sparrows, who would miss one song?

But God leaned down and whispered, "I care.

It was one of my sparrows, and I was there."

A little girl, all sunshine and laughter,

(And sometimes scoldings, with kisses after!)

And hurts to smooth over, and deeds to applaud-

A little girl fell! Where were you God?

A little girl fell! God, why weren't you there?

Is it only for sparrows and such that You care?

If you're God at all - then you could have prevented

This nightmare of pain! So You must have consented.

I've always believed You were loving and good.

I'd like to believe still - if only I could.

But God, if You love me, how can You allow

Such unbearable pain as I'm feeling right now?

Such helplessness - hopelessness - bitter regret-

So many tears have fallen; and yet

So many more that are still locked inside.

Oh, God - out there somewhere - have you ever cried?

I'm not even sure anymore that You're real.

But if You are, God - Do you care how I feel?

 ************************************

Beloved, I care! In the midst of your grief,

In the midst your stricken and crumbling belief,

In the midst of the blackness of total despair,

In the midst of your questioning, Child - I am there.

In the midst! Not far off in some vague fifth dimension,

But there, where you are, giving you My attention . . .

My constant attention - and not just today.

Since before you were born, I have loved you this way.

You're important to Me. Every hair on your head

I have numbered Myself! Can these tears that you shed

Go uncounted? Unnoticed? Nay, child; here I stand.

Close enough that each teardrop falls into My hand.

Nor am I stranger to anguish - to loss.

My own Son was taken one day - by a cross.

I know what you suffer.  I know what you'll gain

If you'll let Me walk with you into your pain.

I'll carry your grief, and your sorrow I'll bear.

You've only to reach out your hand - I am there!

Fear nothing for Holland*.  Your dear little girl

Is safe in My house - and all Heaven's awhirl

With the ring of her laughter, her quick eager smile.

And the things she's saving to show you - "after awhile."

Yes, I could have prevented - but Child, you can't see

With My perfect wisdom. Trust Holland to Me.

Of course you will miss her, but while you are weeping,

Remember it's only her body that's sleeping.

Her "self" is awake.  Wide awake.  As I said,

I am God of the living, not God of the dead.

She trusted Me, and My sure Word comes to pass:

"Who believes shall not die." That included your lass.

Let Me walk with you now, through the long, heavy days;

Let Me slowly begin changing heartache to praise.

Take hold of My hand, Child: take hold of My love.

I will lead you to joys that you yet know not of.

Your faith may be weak, and your trust incomplete,

But I'll not walk too fast for your stumbling feet.

* the original name in the Poem is Janet, but it works much better for me personally if I add my own daughter's name to it :)