John O’ the Word Smith!

Dear Aunty Glena, we have heard the news

of Uncle John, some said that he had died.

And while there is some very varied views

about what that must mean, I haven't cried

just yet, for I have heard he suffered much

and that his wife of years was by his side,

and though we haven't kept real close in touch,

I've loved the times it's worked when we have tried.

On Wednesday night, at tea in Dubbo, Shell

had told us that you'd talked a bit with her,

and John was soon to leave for home to dwell

forever with his Lord. He would defer

his love of this ol’ life, for coming new

life of embodied love that Jesus showed.

Thus trusting what He said to all those who

had come to mourn the death of one below:

“She isn't finally dead, she's only napping.”

(for he knew what would happen soon enough

when he would speak some words, not just yapping

as we are want to do, his words were tough!

When he would say in time, “Talitha Coombs*,

it's time to get up now, to walk around”

And she would open eyes, like stones from tombs,

and then her body rise, and food be found.)

And John has trusted Jesus as the Christ,

whose own interpretation of this life

is that to live in love will full suffice,

for comfort of God comes to mourning wife.

And I know it will hit me, like his Lord,

who cried at Lazarus’ tomb, though once again

he knew the glory that would soon be scored

when Lazarus would walk out here amongst men

and women who had loved and cared for him.

And nothing will just take all grief away

down here, and at this time when we see dim-

ly in a mirror - just as Paul would say.

So as our Jesus taught us so to speak,

to think, about these times when “death appears”

we grieve, but not as those who haven't peaked

at new days dawning rays that heal our fears.

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