Many thanks for the feedback.
Sally, atheism, that's the hardest profession, I believe. I used to be
agnostic
myself, though nowadays I think I'm a deist.
You're right, I did choose a hymnal metre ("It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"),
for the juxtaposition. I have seen it used for secular verse before, though.
I'll be following the defence case with interest. Something is very strange;
Huntley seems such an unlikely candidate.
Helen, I don't really know how to respond to your comment, but thanks for
commenting.
Ryfkah, thank you.
C Shah, yes, I agree, there are no easy answers, perhaps no answers at all.
I suppose you might argue good can't exist without evil, or joy without
grief.
Sarah, you're very close to my intention, though I think mostly I'm mostly
just trying to reflect some common feelings here. We turn to God in times of
despair. We blame God for our tragedies, but we also blame ourselves. Every
life becomes compromised over time--"only the good die young"--and perhaps
that's small, bleak consolation for young deaths. Concluding, I intended
bitter acquiescence rather than anything more cynical.
I think I may change the last two lines to this:
"Take them, then--take all our hopes--
but hold them near to Thee."
Best wishes,
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Anthony" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: "David Anthony" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 15 November 2003 18:32
Subject: Nearer to Thee
Nearer to Thee
We scanned the headlines for the news
and sensed what was to come:
those children in the photograph
would not be coming home.
Small hope surrendered with a bleak
announcement on TV,
and someone played a brave old tune-
"Nearer, my God, to Thee."
Can God be near when malice lurks
throughout the world He made;
when every generation sees
its innocents betrayed?
Each evil lessens all of us-
Who lets such evil be?
Grief fills Thy churches, grief and shame,
and brings us nearer Thee.
We search for meaning, finding none;
for hope where hope has died.
We learned this lesson long ago
when Christ was crucified:
untainted lives are beacons, bright
however dark the sea.
Take them, take them; take our hopes,
and hold them near to Thee.
(in memory of Holly and Jessica)
(Revision)
http://www.davidgwilymanthony.co.uk/
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