Give voice to grief,
Make known your pain,
Unlock the door of despair....
For the unspoken word,
Can never be heard,
Can never break forth into prayer.

Oh wounded one,
Lift up your voice.
Receive God's healing Grace....
Though torn apart,
Pour out your heart,
Let grief break forth into praise.

© Fini Kuipers, February 1998.

All of the poems on this page
were written a few years ago, by my friend Fini,
after the death of her dear husband, John.
It is her prayer that these words will be of comfort
to those who mourn the loss of a loved one.

We Were There

I was there....
When I saw Death standing at the door,
Fear gripped my heart
As I knelt beside you on the floor....

I looked at you,
Your colour so lifeless and grey;
Your breathing already a struggle,
Your heart-beat slipping away....

I panicked - I cried,
Don't leave me, I wept;
We still have so much to live for,
I am not ready yet....

She was there....
Your daughter, the apple of your eye;
Her fight so brave, your life to save,
For fear that you may die....

Mouth to mouth,
Her very breath, begging you to breathe;
She gave her best, without a rest,
Without a moment's ease....

Cardiac massage,
Unerring precision - her hands moving fast;
She sowed in tears, laboured with fears,
Hoping for Grace to last....

You were there....
Your presence Lord, Your healing balm within,
You freed his soul and made him whole,
A new life to begin....

Suddenly, a stillness,
A quietness - peaceful and serene;
His face so calm, all strife had ceased,
He'd entered a realm, I have not yet been....

Silently we stood, my daughter and I,
Each had our thoughts - each had our cry,
And then when I kissed you - my last goodbye,
I saw the teardrop, and wiped it from your eye....

© Fini Kuipers, June 1997.

After The Funeral

So many people, so many faces,
Hugs and kisses, and warm embraces,
So many flowers and sympathy cards,
So much love from caring hearts.

But in the midst of the chatter and noises,
The hum-drum and buzzing of so many voices,
Stand I.... aching.... and silently cry,
Till no tears are left and my eyes run dry;
Then softly I whisper.... Lord can't they see,
The loneliness and pain that is within me?

And then.....
When at the end of the day,
One by one,
They must leave to go their way;
We part, and tenderly,
Through misty eyes,
I bravely smile,
To say my good-byes.

All is quiet now,
The last person has gone,
I close the door,
And I miss my John.....
Emptiness - loneliness,
Not even a sound,
Aimlessly I walk,
Around and around.

Then, for a brief moment,
I pause and gaze,
And suddenly, through the open window,
I see the contours of his face;
Uncontrollably,
I sob and I cry,
Why Lord..... Why,
Did my John have to die?.....

© Fini Kuipers.

Holy Spirit - Will You?.....

"Will You share my tears,
Understand my fears,
Help me cross the river wide....

Will You stand by me,
Believe in me,
Walk closely by my side....

Will You run with me,
Have fun with me,
And dance till even-tide....

Will you hold my hand,
Be my friend,
My Comforter and Guide....

And then.... before I die,
Will You make me cry,
And wash away my foolish pride?...."

© Fini Kuipers, June 1998

More Or Less....

When I was happy
I gave You my happiness,
You took it, but increased it
And my happiness became more....

More - or - less,
What will it be?....
Your Grace provides
So wonderfully;
Oh Lord, I pray
Let it be
More of You
And less of self, in me....

© Fini Kuipers, September 1999.

Fear Not

Fear not - for I am with thee,
When thou passest through the waters,
The valley of tears, the oceans deep,
Fear not - they shall not overflow thee,
For I am with thee....

Fear not - for I am with thee,
When thou walkest through the fires
Of oppression, the flames of affliction,
Fear not - thou shalt not be burned,
For I am with thee....

For I am The Lord, thy God,
The Holy One - thy Saviour and Redeemer;
And with an everlasting love, I love thee,
I shall never leave thee nor forsake thee,
For I am with thee - Fear not....

Inspired by Scripture: Isaiah 43. Hebrews 13

© Fini Kuipers.

Thank you Fini my dear friend for allowing me to use
your beautiful poetry. Jesus loves you and I do too. Lilian.

Written permission kindly given to us by Danny
to use his images for our backgrounds.

Please do not use this background set.
It was made especially for this page. Thank you.