| Matt Cathy J. Montgomery July 1996 Life is not all we hope it to be; Sometimes there's so much tragedy, Facing trials that just seem to go on and on; Heartaches barging into our home... Death is no stranger, that's true, Seems like we would know what to do when it came our way once again-- But...death to one of the children? Why that's more than one can bear-- Thinking just doesn't come clear; For all I can really begin to see Is a little brown face sparkling up at me... Big for his age, too bright by far, Solemn eyes looking at a faraway star! He'd consider his words before he spoke-- Often those words made us choke With chuckling laughter, Making us think long after, How could a child think so deep? It was as if he never went to sleep! Mulling over things in his mind, Until just the right word he'd find! Utterly original in his thinking! Carefully measured in undertaking, Matthew seeming oh-so-slow-- We'd want to holler, "Go, Matt, go!!" Then he grew up physically, Taller than you and me-- Matt became a giant of a man And that's what's hard to understand That this gentle giant was still a child, Kind and pleasant, patient and mild; And...yet...deep inside, such agony Wanting to be what we wanted him to be! Oh, this world is too harsh by far For a child who gazes at a distant star And even if that child is a man There are dreams that can Hold him tightly past all bearing! And, so, now we all are sharing Grief that seems never to cease-- Sadness just seeming to increase! Memories flood like rushing streams And nothing is quite like what it seems... Matt had his joys and his fears, Had his laughter and his tears; "Still water runs deep" and he was that-- Feeling with depth was our Matt! He just tried and grew tired, you see-- Matt, our gentle giant, faced uncertainty; And, it's beyond anything we understand Coping with the death of this child-man! But...there is One who does understand-- There's One who holds Matt in His hand. No longer hurt by ugly reality, No longer plagued by raw insecurity, No longer engaged in private wars, Matt keeps his eyes on more than stars-- He now sees the One who created them-- The Lord who opened His arms to him Oh, so very, very long ago-- Offering a peace all yearn to know!! ************************************ Home Poem Index Back Next |