PEACE THROUGH SORROW

through the doorway they look
something has happened... something is wrong
an empty seat all alone amongst the crowd
the silence from it was very loud
a whisper repeats a phrase of sorrow
"just like a vapor... here today... gone tomorrow..."
a teacher crosses out a name
and life scratches out a face
but out there seeing life in full understanding in God's grace
there is a new and deathless face, but the same old name

© 1996 thomas bates