Thursday, April 28, 2011

This Fragile Life

Alabama got hammered yesterday by tornadoes. More devastation than I have ever seen, many areas hit hard, many deaths reported. This morning I woke up thankful that our family and property are safe and sound, but realizing that our story could be entirely different had there been a slight change in the winds. It reminded me of a poem I wrote back in 1985 when I was contemplating a much smaller scale event.


Life May Be as Fragile as It Seems

Two rescue attempts in the evening;
   Two deaths in the morning.
Life may be as fragile as it seems.

A tree survives when tended;
   Flourishes when left alone.
Life is silently adamant;
   Submissively reigning.
Hope may be as near as it seems.

A light goes out;
   The fire remains.
A door shuts tight;
   A window invites.
Freedom may be as enduring as it seems.

God hides his face
   And his image becomes clear;
He is manifest
   And the knowing are blinded.
Sight may be as inward as it seems.

Justice is slow;
   Pain is frequent.
Who does not welcome mercy?
Love may be as needed as it seems
If life is as fragile as it seems.



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2 comments:

  1. I've been thinking about you and your family since Wednesday, Charlie: so glad to have found this post! What a sad time for so many in Alabama. May they find peace and much support as they rebuild their lives and homes. Take care, and we should talk some time on the phone!

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  2. Thanks for the thoughts, Steve - yes we're grateful. Thank you for stopping by my blog, and thanks again for being the VERY FIRST to sign on as a follower when I first went online!

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