Morning of Mourning

The soft pitter-patter of rain

Awakens me this day

Bringing comfort 

On a lonely morning of mourning 

The soft pitter-patter of footsteps 

Once awakened me

Bringing comfort 

To an entitled, haughty man

Now the snuggles and kisses

That greeted me each day

Have been silenced

To the ears of this broken man

My heart beats in my chest

Yet it is somewhere north of here

My breath continues 

Though I oft wish it would cease

On this morning of mourning 

Alone in my cell

I cry out to You in weak hope,

“Restore, redeem this tragic day!”

Gift and grace You offer to me

Through a soft bed

Through a message from a friend 

But can this stone heart receive?

My daughters, my daughters 

I long and ache for you 

Tis an ache as constant as

The hardness of my stubborn will

“Surrender to the Good Lord,”

My mama whispers to me.

Teach me to accept the tears

and the rain

and all forms of pitter-patter

and the love of friends 

and the agony of grief

and the grace of God

and the deafening silence 

Graciously grant me the grace

To say with truth

“The Lord gives and takes away.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.”