Listen,World!

by Elizabeth Rollins - Not entered


               God, all night long I miss him
               Lying half asleep-my concious
memory lost
               I wonder if he tossed the 
blankets off
               Or if the rain is blowing on his sill
               Or if he's ill-my baby
               And often waking, I find myself 
beside his bed,
              Stooping to kiss the little tousled 
head that is no longer there
               I stand and stare with streaming
eyes
               At that smooth pillow and unruffled 
spread
               Remembering slowly that my son is 
dead
               All day long  I listen for his step,
               His whistle and his sweet, uncertain
song
               I listen until the silence tightens 'round 
my throat
               Oh God, you know 
               I'd give my life to hear his voice again.
               To feel once more, the touch of his young
eager hand.
               To stand and watch him play,
                And I feel the pride leap in me like a 
flame
               I'd give my life, I say-and yet I wouldn't
               I must stay right here and do my job, 
till I have earned the right to go away.
               The past has passed
                I loved him-yes!
               But love is not a toy
               To satisfy one's private pride and joy
               No-love's a part of that eternal plan
               By which God manifests himself to man
               And we who love must also dare to keep
the faith
              When those we love are lost,
               Least weaker spirits, watching, should cry 
out that love's not worth the cost.
               And so my Father, take my grief today as
tribute to the glory you sent away
              I lay my little son within your arms, safe now, 
forever, from the hurt and harm.
              He would have known, had he lived
              I give him up 
              I drink the bitter cup reserved for
those who dare to love and lose
              Forgive our fears!
              There is a nobler duty facing us than tears.
              It is our proud and shining mission to express
              Love's rare, abiding pride and loveliness
              We, only, who have lost, can know that
love is worth 
              Whatever it may cost.

Reason for writing:

    what inspired me to submit this poem is that I don't know who wrote this. I found it in an old newspaper clipping. I would like to know who  wrote it and I feel that the whole world should be able to read this poem. If you  have any idea who wrote it please please mail me.
    

Birth sign: Not entered
Date created: 1998-02-03 21:11:06
Last updated: 2021-04-14 17:18:07
Poem ID: 48706

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