Disbelief

 

I wrote this poem recently, as it became increasingly clear, that all our fervent hopes and prayers for the recovery of my poor niece would not result, in her blessing us with her presence once again.  Sorry for the note of sadness and even despair.  Grief will do that to you. 

To all of you, who are staggered by such an event in your own lives, I offer my condolences.  And especially, to my niece’s family and friends.

 

 

I could not un-say what was said,

Except to hold him tight.

I could not vivify the dead,

Nor turn the dark to light.

I could not summon back the song

With ever-widening reach:

This loss of life, its joy and strife,

Quite staggered my belief.

 

What’s done is done.  And so we sit

So powerless and still,

And watch God write his Holy Writ,

Lie prostrate, to His Will,

As all before and all to come

Shall, with their tears, anoint

This shallow patch, twixt birth and death,

That’s bound to disappoint.

 

How can we hearken Hope?

How can a hymn now grace our tongues?

How follow Him, who, on a whim,

Could snatch a soul so young?

 

Copyright 2021 Andrea LeDew

 

For more poems about the initial shock of learning someone has passed away, read The Problem  and A Parting Gift.