Poetry 2

A Borrowed Breath
by Vanessa Burgess

Smoothly, carefully and folded gently,
I packed away the sweet smell
that surrounded your yesterday.

The feel of soft fabric,
faded flannel from your shirt
I held you but I held her the same.

Hands that healed my own
lost baby blanket cover my
stomach where I'd kept you
safe like your sister before.

The sound of your breath
is a rythmic reminder of the
air that cannot remain no matter how sweet she was.

I breathed her in for such a short
time and, relishing the remains of sweet lullabies
and angels, I released her last breath as my own.

Start Over
--Author Unknown

When you've trusted God and walked His way,
When you've felt His hand lead you day by day,
But your steps now take you another way--
Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry,
When you've tried your best and there's no more try,
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why--
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do,
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through,
And now you're all alone and it's up to you--
Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone,
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong,
And now your grandchildren have come along--
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will,
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still,,
When you want to stop 'cause you've had your fill--
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit,
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit,
When you've tried and tried to get out of it--
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few,
When December comes and you're feeling blue,
God gives a January just for you--
Start over.

Starting over means "victories won",
Starting over means "a race well run",
Starting over means "God's will done"--
So don't just sit there...
Start over.

FALLEN SPARROW
--Author Unknown

A sparrow fell and no one heard.
No one cared, it was just a bird.
From all the numberless, flitting throng,
Who would miss this one sweet song?

But God leaned down and whispered, "I care!
That was one of My sparrows
And I was there".

A little girl, all sunshine and laughter,
(and sometimes scolding with kisses after!)
And hurts to smooth over, deeds to applaud...
A little girl fell! Where were you God?
A little girl fell! God, why weren't you there?

If You're God at all...then You could have prevented
this nightmare of pain! So, You must have consented.
I've always believed You were loving and good...
I'd like to believe still...if only I could!

But God, if You loved me, how can you allow
such unbearable pain as I'm feeling right now?
Such helplessness...helplessness..bitter regret...
So many tears that have fallen and yet...
So many more that are locked still inside.
Oh, God, out there SOMEWHERE...have You ever cried?

I'm not even sure anymore that You're real.
But, if You are God, DO YOU CARE HOW I FEEL?

Beloved, I care! In the midst of you're grief,
In the midst of your stricken and crumbling belief,
In the midst of the blackness of total despair,
In the midst of you're questioning, child...
I am there.

"IN THE MIDST!" Not far off in some vague fifth dimemsion...
But there, where you are, giving YOU My attention.
My constant attention...and not just today;
Since before you were born, I have loved you this way.

You're important to me! Every hair on your head
I have nunbered Myself!
Can these tears that you shed go uncounted...unnoticed?
Nay, child, here I stand
Close enough that each teardrop falls into My hand.

I know what you suffer and know what you'll gain,
If you let Me walk with you into your pain.
I'll carry your grief and your sorrow I'll bear...
You have only to reach out your hand...
I am there!

Fear not for your child, your dear little girl.
She is SAFE in My house and all Heaven's awhirl
With the ring of her laughter, her quick eager smile,
And things that she's saving to show you...after a while.

Yes, I could have prevented...but child, you can't see
With My perfect wisdom...trust your child to Me.
Of course, you will miss her, but while you are weeping,
Remember, it's only her "body" that's sleeping.

Her "Self" is awake, wide-awake, as I've said,
"I am God of the living", not God of the dead.
She trusted me, and My Word comes to pass...
WHO BELIEVES SHALL NOT DIE
That included your lass.

Let Me walk with you now, thru the long heavy days.
Let me slowly begin changing your heartache to praise.

Take hold of My hand, child, take hold of My love.
I will lead you to joys that you know yet not of.
Your faith may be weak, and your trust incomplete,
But I'll not walk too fast for your stumbling feet.