Poetry

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Amen!
©Jeanne E Webster

The waters overpower us
With ruinous waves so high;
We cling tightly to each other
As lifeless bodies float on by.

"Mama! Mama! Help me!"
My little one cries out;
My strength is waning fast
Numbing pain releasing doubt.

Up and down, back and forth
The waves shake us like dolls;
We spit out water to take in air
As the tide our spirit mauls.

My eyes are stuck wide open
My fingers glued to her coat;
She no longer screams "Mama!"
Utter silence swathes her throat.

Prayers of anguish gurgle forth
Amidst the roaring sea spray;
"Oh, my God!" "Help me, Lord!"
Become epithets spoken today.

Menial things matter not anymore
Squabbles are quickly laid aside;
Many to-do’s or forgotten sins
Are swigs for the ravenous tide.

There’s lots of dying, Dear one,
Enough to sate death’s thirst;
Life is clinging to another breath
Til you think you’ll surely burst.

Is this the true “Amen” corner
When all of life is predated?
When the Almighty speaks His word
And reclaims what He’s created?

So be it... from dawn to setting sun;
Life and death speak with one voice:
So be it...Lord Jesus, please come!


[written on the fourth day after the massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastates Japan's people.]

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