These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Friend Remembered

"A day ago my Friend was killed
upon a cruel cross.
I thought He was Messiah, who
would save me from all loss."

"But here I sit with head in hand
in this dark upper room
alone, not with the former band,
who supped before the tomb."

"His words were odd. I could not tell
what He could possibly mean.
'I'll rise again. I'll be quite well,
the life you've never seen.'"

"But that was then, and this is now.
'Twas great while it did last.
I really must go on somehow,
and put that in the past."

"The sabbath gives me a moment's rest,
but what to do next week?
Return to fishing? Pack and wrest
my life to new life seek?"

"There's nothing left for me right here.
Messiah, and my friend,
is dead and gone. My life is drear.
How can I ever mend?"

"I pride myself on being blest
to know one's character,
but I'm just stupid. Now, I've messed
my life up. What's left here?"

"I hope, that when my life doth end,
I'll live with Adonai,
but sin is where He cannot bend.
I hope, that I won't fry."

"I wish I knew the way to go
to live my life, again.
Much better, if I did not know
this one, who was my Friend."

"What's left to do, but go to sleep,
and hope I never wake.
If He is dead, I'm not His sheep,
but one big, black mistake."

"A pile of flax, my tunic rolled,
and tears to serve as meat.
My hope is gone. I can't be bold.
I'm a tare and not some wheat."

"O, give me sleep, Dear Adonai.
Make me forget my pain.
Please make the morning blessings nigh,
that I may hope, again."

"I hold you in my arms, Dear Child.
The waiting's almost through.
The pain you feel will seem as mild
when I am holding you."

"The task I've lived, I did obey,
that you could live with me.
The death I died has more to say
when from this death I'm free."

"My child, the Morning is so blest.
You'll wake refreshed, and see,
your faith is stronger through this test.
Forever you're with me."

by Jay O’Toole
on April 16th, 2022