My soul cannot soar today;
The wind that upholds me has fled;
I feel my heart sinking;
My wings are limp and useless;
My feathers are clipped.
I’ve weathered storm after storm,
Survived many vicious battles;
Now I’m weary and need rest;
The storms still rage;
The noise of combat still reaches my ears;
But I’m oh, so tired.
I know you shelter me;
You sustain my life;
You give me hope, peace, joy;
But today I’m in pain;
Cords firmly nit into my heart have been ripped away.
Why must my heart bleed this way?
The memory of lost comrades reopens the wounds;
Why did they leave us, Lord?
And why does their departure hurt so much?
You are the strength of my heart, are you not?
Absolutely. Restore me quickly.
Smooth my feathers, Lord;
Strengthen my wings;
Let the wind of your spirit lift me;
Set my heart back upon the clouds.
-by Roger Deemer, 27 April 2008