Home » Poems » Caren Krutsinger » One At a Time God Takes Us Home

Caren Krutsinger | + Follow Poet |

One At a Time God Takes Us Home

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Caren Krutsinger.

This happened to the young missionary son and twelve or fifteen young missionary friends.

I heard the story from his parents who attended Sunday School a day or so after receiving the news from the lone surviviing missionary. They had been treading water for a day or two, singing hymns, sharing Bible verses, laughing and talking. Being taken one at a time by sharks. Only one in about 18 or 20 was rescued, and he called all of the other parents to let them know that they had had a fine time to the very end, and how their children passed on to the next dimension. I have never forgotten this story, nor shall I ever. It had horrified me so completely.

Freezing water. Many hours. Prayer, hymns, and laughter. Gray fins begin circling our group. Day Three There are thirteen of us now. Twenty-six numb legs stop moving. Hymn singing stops. Who will be next? I hold my breath. Goliath is taken. Pulled away from the circle. His girlfriend screams. Goliath makes no sound. Gives me a sad nod. I watch in morbid curiousness As he is pulled under the water hard. The water fills with vast amount of red liquid. Frenzied sharks swim in for their taste of the kill. The rest of us hold our breaths. The third day of our capsized non-rescue. The ocean is deep. Eight others had already been taken. Which is easier – to be taken or to watch those taken? The sharks swim around us one more time. We who are left give praise for another hour Of life, each minute a reminder of how quickly We are taken. Tears in our eyes. Who will tell our tale?

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

James Edward Lee Sr.

Date: 3/12/2019 11:31:00 AM

Wow !! mercy this should been placed on a dedicated plague and given to the loved ones.. It's not about their physical journey we as humans our flesh minded, it's about their journey to the other side in the spirit...Makes me think of my best friends death (his whole family) was murdered by escaped inmates in Arizona.. In an instant in a twinkling of an eye we shall see Him.. A ~fav~ James

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/12/2019 12:13:00 PM

It is so sad, and it happens to families. I have a similar story. You never know. Age has nothing to do with it.

Arturo Michael

Date: 3/11/2019 3:57:00 PM

If this is true...what a tragic way to go...the one who lived to tell the story...could never erase the loss...

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/12/2019 9:13:00 AM

I cannot imagine it, but it is a true story. I met the parents of one.

Laura Leiser

Date: 3/11/2019 12:28:00 PM

Wow, this is so heart wrenching, Caren. The one solace is that they knew the Lord and had hope in the end knowing this. Well written and you honor their lives as you tell of their bravery.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/11/2019 12:45:00 PM

Thank you Laura.

Alexis Y.

Date: 3/11/2019 11:59:00 AM

WoW! Caren, What are heart wrenching story. I can only imagine the lone survivor greatful to be alive, but on the other hand he or she must live with the horror they witnessed every day of their lives. I have many questions swirling around in my head but I'm going to end my comment-Alexis

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/11/2019 12:45:00 PM

It was heart-wrenching to hear it from the parents of one of the 24 year olds who was taken right away.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/11/2019 10:40:00 AM

So many sinking thoughts, circling...Nicely done, my dear friend!

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/11/2019 11:03:00 AM

Thank you Kim. I appreciate your time.

P.S. Awtry

Date: 3/11/2019 5:36:00 AM

spellbinding write Caren. I could not look away... Thought provoking.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/11/2019 9:07:00 AM

Thank you P.S. There is nothing like the truth to horrify us.

M. L. Kiser

Date: 3/11/2019 2:40:00 AM

So sad, we live for a reason though and clearly this man had a specific purpose; to tell the story. It has to be painful in the retelling though.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 3/11/2019 9:07:00 AM

I cannot imagine the pain of being the last one, wondering how long you had to survive before the end. I am so glad one was rescued as were the parents of the others.