In her younger years my grandma gained the reputation
of a student who excelled in whatever she did.
When she gave the oration at her graduation.
She thanked parents and teachers and all of the kids.
—–
Set her sights, packed her bags and pursued independence.
While at college she signed up for R.O.T.C.
Learned to soldier and lead, and achieved near transcendance.
Found respect from commanders and the troops she led.
—–
Met and wed an up-and-comer; and gave birth to babies;
managed each association that would let her in.
Wanted just yes or no; never “ifs” or “buts” or “maybes”.
Family ran like a train that kept excellent time.
—–
“Striving ever, resting never”; the creed she lived by.
Then one day, she collapsed as a stroke struck her down,
vision blurred, speech impaired, she lived on lame and lonely,
and no longer snapped fingers that meant “do it now.”
—–
Rest that she’d long eschewed now was hers in abundance.
This was something that she’d never pondered at all.
In the years that remained her, of abject dependence
She found loving acceptance and gave up on gall.
———-
Photo: downloaded from www.piqsels.com
Source: Leviticus 26:34-39
Text: David Alexander, 2021 CC BY-SA NC 4.0
Tune: When He Cometh , Public Domain
Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/WhenHeCometh-Root.pdf
Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission
Aboksu 