All You Asked

Writing this poem was quite an emotional journey. The first two verses came so easily, and then it just stalled after the opening of the line: "I tried to say a prayer --." Nothing. It was so frustrating, and I struggled for hours. Finally, like the poem, I was overcome with tears as I realized that God was using this poem to remind me of something.

I tried to write a poem -- but there aren’t words to rhyme

that ever could express a gift of love that’s so sublime.

You gave your only Son for us, for all mankind -- for me --

that we -- that I -- receive your Grace and Love eternally.

I tried to write a song -- but the music can’t compare

with the heav’nly sound of mercy that you have sought to share.

You found a way to bring us home, for all of us -- for me --

to once again behold your Grace and Love eternally.

I tried to say a prayer -- when I got down on my knees,

I bowed my head, but all that came were tears where words should be.

I wept for all you’ve given me -- the price that your Son paid,

and in my tears you somehow heard the words I’d failed to say.

Finally, then, I understood -- you did not seek a song,

and poems lost in rhyming words were wasted and all wrong.

The thanks you sought were simple, and I finally came to see,

all you asked was that I love you -- as you have first loved me.

When God Dries Angels' Tears

So much of my poetry is actually written to an internal song that accompanies it. This song, lyrics and melody both, was like taking dictation. It came so quickly, I could scarcely keep up with the flow of words. That happens sometimes, and it's always humbling. I hope you enjoy it.

The memory -- like the photograph -- had faded with the years,

tho' I could see the tiny marks once made by falling tears.

The images were blurred and soft, the color almost gone,

I couldn't see her face too well, but the voice was still quite strong.

She spoke to me, and in my heart, the words were very clear --

“Rainbows come, my little one, when God dries angels' tears.”

And for that one brief moment, she was there again with me

smiling at the sunshine as we sat beneath our tree.

I'd had so many questions, just like children often do --

and there's one thing I learned that day I'd like to share with you.

She'd held a finger to her lips and whispered in my ear,

“Rainbows come, my little one, when God dries angels' tears.

“The angels feel our sadness and they know when we're in pain,

and when they cry for us we see their tears like falling rain.

And if they can't stop crying, then God makes the sun shine bright,

and as it gleams upon them -- their tears reflect the light.

So when we see a rainbow arching through the graying sky,

it's simply proof that God has said, ‘Dear angels, please don't cry.'

“Next time you see a rainbow, child, you'll know that somewhere near

the angels feel a sorrow and they're crying angel-tears.”

And then she'd laughed and I forgot the words she'd said to me

until I saw that photo taken 'neath our favorite tree.

And here, today, years later, I think it's finally clear

just what it was she tried to say and hoped that I would hear.

For each for us at different times of life there will be rain,

but it's a part of every life we can't escape or change.

You cannot have a rainbow without both the sun and rain,

and you'll live only half a life by hiding from the pain.

So when the rain is falling, face the sun and dry your tears,

and God will give you rainbows if you just give Him your fears.