Thursday, March 25, 2010

A truly great poem

I keep returning to Jim Swindle's poetry blog to reread this short poem, written in memory of a young boy whose brain tumor cut short his life. My blog is supposed to be about discipleship and its cost, not a venue for entertainment, and I am bewildered to know if I am failing the mark. But if speaking strength to the human heart is to minister, and if discipleship includes ministering to others, then perhaps for me to feature a poem like this is not too far off base.

A Child's Death
by Jim Swindle

Too early, we say, taken—
Gone now, much too soon—
This child, still in his morning,
Sunset before noon.

The Lord, though, has his reason—
Hidden from our eyes—
Permitting such short season,
Tender crop for skies.

He doesn't cause the leaving—
This fruit of Adam's sin—
And tempers our great grieving:
The dead will rise again.

Jesus said,
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live...."
John 11:25

2 comments:

Unknown said...

A great poem to be sure, and a greater thing. Ultimately that which is in Christ lives because He is life. I am convinced that this is true for poems as well as people.

(and rocks, and stars, and all creation)

Jim Swindle said...

Thank you, my brothers Romanós and David. Your words are a comfort.