The Great Divide

Of tears through the years, we had traveled long Remembering snatches of childhood song Memories spoken of so long ago Dear Johnny, the brother that I used to know When you were but five, and I nearly three Our family was torn to a pieced memory Always my brother (though cousin to me) Your photograph tucked in mom's Bible there be Mama found me crying and holding her Book Hugging that photo, your cherubic look But mother was angry, and took it away For you were no more part of our dear everyday Johnny, so long had I prayed and I dreamed We'd be reunited, and that day came .... it seemed When you and your sweet Angel Dear of your life Your beautiful darling, your amazing wife Made contact again after so many years And the JOYOUS reunion of laughter and tears! But your precious heart was still riddled with pain You left us. Your life's song? Now sorrows refrain. Sometimes, John, this pain I can hardly abide You chose to depart, crossed the longest divide Did you really think that your pain would be through? We inherited it John, we still grieve for you! Oh, Father! Please, mercy! Our pain we can't hide Comfort us Father, from sorrows abide Father, please, mercy, to those dwelling here Hope beyond all hope, You'll dry every tear Johnny, I love you, dear brother to me May Abba deliver from despondency Blessed mercy and hope, for eternal light Shining in healing and conquering night Eleven long years since the day that you died Crossed over by choice, that long dark divide Did you not know you would rip every heart? The choice that you chose ripped us further apart. Comfort, oh Father, I drift back somewhere kind To our childhood moments, we so long left behind But they bring no comfort, for heart breaking pain Never to shine out in pure joy again So, please, in Your mercy, let hope spring anew For all hope was shattered, except Lord, in You