(A Poem by Joan Campbell)

Heavenly Father

Your patience is everlasting.

Your forbearance immeasurable.

These things I know.

Behold.

We have heard Your still small voice

on the gentle breeze.

We have felt your raging thunder

echoing across the heavens.

But here we only sense the anguish and

the fear of those who were brought here

those many years ago.

As we walk through the streets,

our footsteps echo on stone

where Your people trod…so much pain.

The ovens that burned day and night.

Selah.

A single sparrow falls

And You know.

Thousands and

thousands more,

their souls like sparrows

rose up in swirling murmurations

against a blue-black sky

seeking release, seeking salvation,

only to fall silently back,

ashes upon ashes

sifting down to the ground like snow.

Selah.

He comes.

Where are you?

Where are my chosen ones?

No one to be his brother’s keeper?

I have heard Rachel’s incessant weeping.

She cannot rest.

The very ground has cried out

as the earth opened to receive

the ashes of her children

who were slain here.

How long, O Lord, How Long?

Selah.

I search the heavens.

I see Your majesty written in white stars

scattered across the night sky.

But here in this place

all I sense are those who died.

I search for peace.

But your enemies are strong.

They gnaw at my soul with doubt and fear.

I cry out for You.

Then my soul is stilled.

Your mercy flows over me

like sweet spring rain.

My rest is deep.

For You are my truth,

My Light,

My Salvation.

Your mercy endures forever.