for ed

these two poems were penned by stewart henderson and gerard kelly when my dad died of cancer (several years ago now). today ed died aged 19 of cancer... these poems seem as poignant now as then.

for ed:

this day in paradise
new feet are treading through
high halls of gold

this day in paradise
new legs are striding over jewelled fields in which
the diamond
is considered ordinary

this day in paradise
new eyes have glimpsed the deep fire ready
to flame the stale earth pure

this day in paradise
new blood, the rose red juice that gushed at golgotha
now ripples and races down the pure veins
of a recently arrived beloved

this day in paradise
a new heart pounds in praise
a new body shaped by sacrifice

this day in paradise
the daunting dart of death
has no point
no place
and no meaning

and whilst we mourn and weep
through these human hours
this day in paradise
the blazing embrace
between saviour and son goes on and on and on...

(by stewart henderson)

it was a marvellous healing;
after the months of asking,
of waiting;
after the desperate, slow deterioration,
the warring tides
of faith and doubt:
to be released in an instant,
from every pain.
it was as if the very molecules of his flesh
had been infused, invaded,
with the life of God,
until he was filled, fit to burst,
with the Shalom, the peace,
of the Father's rule.
limbs that had fallen flaccid with weakness
waved and danced with joy;
lungs that had so utterly failed him
sang out with strength and boldness.

he ran
through the unfamiliar sunlight,
drinking it in,
experiencing all at once
the thousand and one feelings
that for so long had been denied him.

it was a marvellous healing:
to be so totally restored,
made whole,
rebuilt.
it had just surprised him,
a little,
that he had had to die
to receive it.

(by gerard kelly)

Comments

[ron]

Truth beyond my wildest imagination...the first creation was effortless, but was unsuccessful...the new creation begins in pain and agony but ends in success...every tear and sorrow wiped away. May our prayers surround Ed's family and friends with the peace and understanding of that reality.

[Jeremy]

jonny,

three days ago a friend of mine named jaclyn died after a year and a half of battling cancer at 23 years old. she was part way through a degree in youth work at columbia bible college, and i looked forward to the day she would become a fantastic, thoughtful, caring, creative, passionate youth minister here in british columbia (canada). this post (as well as the recently posted 'miracles liturgy' in the worship tricks section) have both been used with poignancy in our community's processing of this event. thank you. blessings...jeremy

[jonny]

thanks jeremy. i wept with sadness at edd's funeral on tuesday. i have felt overwhelmed with sorrow. i pray for you and your community. i have to preach on the beattitudes in 10 days and have been chewing over 'blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted'.

[thomas]

Jonny...

This post means so much... My Uncle died on Tuesday, aged 54, of cancer... The poems really help take the loss away and change my sorrow to laughter.

Peace,

Thomas

[jonny]

i'm sorry.
i'm glad you found the poems anyway...

[Liz Low]

Hi Jonny,

Thanks for posting these poems. Just what I needed today.

Liz