Could You Not Tarry?
By Kathryn Taylor
I carry this burden,
A burden so great-
Please understand,
And try to relate…
My challenge is different,
Not like yours at all-
You’re able to walk,
But I have to crawl…
It’s easier to bear
With a friend alongside…
So I’m not all alone….
So I’ll feel fortified-
Then, I find you asleep,
And you’re pulling away…
Friend, could you not tarry
For even one day?…
I cling to you tighter…
Don’t want you to leave…
I simply can’t handle
One more thing to grieve-
Lord,
One by one they ‘ve gone
‘til it’s just me and You…
Sometimes I’m afraid
That You will leave too…
How is it so many
Are duped by my child,
With innocent eyes,
And sweet little smiles?
Friends say I’m the beast,
which I now fight alone…
Their tongues are all wagging
Away on the phone…
The tales that they weave
Are now dragging behind…
Weighing me down…
Escalating the grind-
Will YOU help me, LORD,
Since YOU know the truth,
And aren’t easily fooled
By my sweet-talking youth?
Will YOU see me through
This bitter, dry land,
And never let go
Of my callused, worn hand?
I know that YOU care
‘cause it happened to YOU….
Your friends could not tarry,
And ran away too-
But YOUR Father on high
Held YOU safe in HIS palm…
Took YOU through storms
And into the calm-
Give me strength to forgive
The weakness of men…..
And when storm’s been weathered,
Send me friends again-
Amen
2005 All rights reserved, ã Kathryn Taylor
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