Hi David,
I'm worried about this poem, too.
I've read it once and I don't want to read it again... that's a bad sign for 
me.
Somehow it seems as if I want to say: "No... I'm not part of the We this 
poem is speaking for" - (even though I might be... but I don't think I am! I 
just don't want to study the poem more closely, read it again, to find out).
I sort of feel I don't want someone to say these things on my behalf. I feel 
that those closer to the events and experience probably don't need this 
said. I feel I don't want it said on my behalf either.
Cruel to say, like all the Diana poems that appeared, I guess it'll not be 
remembered - it's a forgettable poem (about an unforgettable subject).
Can public poems be written these days?
Bob


>From: David Anthony <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Nearer to Thee
>Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 18:32:54 +0000
>
>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/

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail messages direct to your mobile phone http://www.msn.co.uk/msnmobile