Thank you, Father

I was lost
You found me
At no cost
You enriched me
I was blind
With no help from behind
You showed me Your light
You gave me insight
You gave me this Sight
Thank you, Father
I was empty
You filled me
I was dirty
You cleansed me
I was beaten
With no hope of winning
You repaired my dent
You gave me Your strength
You built me a tent
Thank you, Father
I had no one
You made me the one
I had no hope
You made me their hope
I failed again
With no thing to gain
You helped me regain
All I lost in vain
All I lost to pain
Thank you Father
You lift me up
You fill my cup
You help me sup
I fail You often
My fall you soften
I wail too often
My fears You crop
My tears You stop
Thank you, Father
... thank you, Father

For Francis - An Ode to Death

Recently, I heard of a friend's death
And was shocked at the heavy blow Death has dealt
Francis was kind and full of mirth
With uncountable gifts under his belt
And even as I didn't really know him
He was one of the few I liked on a whim
Francis was likable and free
Golden rays in dark clouds he made us see
And even as I didn't know him
My loss was deep and grim
Francis was an asset to the fold
But he was caught in Death's embrace - so cold
And even if I'm no stranger to Death
Even if I've supped at the helms of her skirt
You do not know how death feels until she comes for you
You do not know... until she has you