FREE
by Regina McIntosh
While I struggle to understand
the battles, the wars
unending shadows weep
for the moments
just before duty called
you to the front lines,
where you would meet
the last encounter
with courage that I could never imagine,
valor, gallantry, boldness
fearless as the weeping shadow
my heart aches from the knowing
you were young and innocent, fallen
now a soldier beneath the ground
where silent memories can’t disturb
the freedom found, the freedom bought
by your last stand
grief whispers, melting
away all the passing dreams
where you once felt reassured
by the promise of years
years you didn’t have, because time
left you alone with the battle,
alone in a war with timeless
shadows, fallen soldiers
lost wars, wars that mean
we can breathe free, be free
in the way we believe
the way we see – our hearts sing
because you gave us wings
as you flew away, an angel now
an angel gone from this lonely silence
leaving the war, the moment
quietly – as we cry
remembering, what you have done
oh my, you have gone
but what you have done
defines my life, offers liberties
I would never have known,
gracefully, you stood, alone
fought that battle
so I might know
freedom is mine,
but oh, my – NO
freedom isn’t free –
but how she calls to me!
Thank you, soldier
for paying the price for me
Thank you, warrior
for fighting the battle for me
without you,
I wouldn’t know the peace
that comes from living a life
freely, free as free can be
free because you paid the highest price
you gave your life so that I might be
FREE
THY WILL BE DONE
by Helen Steiner Rice
God did not promise sun without rain,
Light without darkness, or joy without pain.
He only promised strength for the day
When the darkness comes and we lose our way …
For only through sorrow do we grow more aware
That God is our refuge in times of despair.
For then we seek shelter in His wondrous love,
And we ask him to send us help from above …
And that is the reason we know it is true
That bright shining hours and dark, sad ones, too,
Are part of the plan God made for each one,
And all we can pray is “Thy will be done.”
And know that you are never alone,
For God is your Father and you’re one of His own.
Rice, Helen Steiner. A Collection of Comfort and Encouragement: From America's Best-Loved Poet (Helen Steiner Rice Collection) (p. 105). Barbour Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
John 15:13-17
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.Shutter Speed Memory by Regina McIntosh A image whispers through my contemplations I feel like I’ve awakened in a dream of the past Emotions surround me, gracing me with prayers Bidding me wisdom from this reflection elapsed A representation of what once gave me joy Selections of melodies gone now, but recalled With this tender rendition of long-ago moments Sweet echoes singing softly as I listen intently A replication gently touches my inner affections Reminding me that I’ve been blessed with memories Some that will always appeal to my compassion Some that encourage me to keep loving with passion A vision of some moment that has passed from my mind Valuable beauty filling my heart with inspiration and delight Little memorials of all the things that have gone by me Adventures in living that reassure and fill me with sensibility A portrayal of living that enlivens my sense of reception Waking within me that charming remembrance of elation The way that if feels to know acceptance and assurance Feelings that come back with a glimpse at this picture A depiction of the moment when I was so alive with anticipation Yearning for the heartfelt fervor that brightens the moments Soothing the broken heart and heartening the discouraged Comforting the one who hurts and encouraging the hopeless one A personification of satisfaction from hope, faith and love All that comes from knowing the grace and mercy of God above Sent to reassure anyone who sees this impression of an earlier time A moment that stirred up feelings which will always hold adoration for…
In Grief by Regina McIntosh “Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.” Langston Hughes, The Collected Poems Sorrow whispers through the silence Creating feelings of sadness and grief Light caresses from broken dreams Of the moments spent sharing time With reflections of hope, faith and love Inspired by the God who gives us all A promise of grace which heals the hurt Mourning comes like a gentle rain Splashing through the broken regrets Filling the thoughts with melancholy Desolation that touches the spirit With dejection and misery that stills The voice of happiness with a gloomy Touch of despair that knows to weep Lamenting the path that led to passing Sealing feelings of anguish in glass like Fear, wondering and wishing, remembering All the laughter and love, the lasting light Flowing through the darkness of night Into the spirit of those who knew this life Filled with so much joy, insight and courage Wisdom will tell you to let the past go Remember the good and forget the woe But the soul who listens to the silent ache Knows that this mystery of a heart breaking Leaves no way to dissuade the memories Memorials to one who gave so much love From a heart that was filled with vision Bereavement does more than break the weary heart It deafens the voice of reason that tells you To give into the joy that comes from above Bringing down recollections of all that was A part of this beautiful life – this light and love The wonder of this life who gave so much And will be missed by all who knew them best Death destroys even the silent kindness Gripping the spirit with a desperation that Fills the thoughts with angst and anxiety Feelings so pure they rake across crimson veins Pricking the frail arteries of disillusionment Discouraging the face that prays for relief From this sorrow that we all call grief Mortality embraces the spirit with a black coat Of gloomy dread, unfolding the hopelessness That lives within the foreboding of dismay Which comes from the one who listens to That evil onslaught of discouragement Sprinkled across the mind of one who is afraid This inconsolable heart will never feel joy again
