Andrew Boutte

The Mourner Among the Dead

I am crushed by the feeling of grief 

floating around the dead.

They are indifferent to others,

and yet the living yearn for their return.

Their headstones peer at the mourners–

as if trying to comfort.

Some people say that the worst part

of losing someone is the place left 

in their heart.

But maybe, instead of  drowning

in the sorrow,

the point of losing is that it

takes strength to let go.

To do what they plead,

and let them go to the next

in peace.

The Pain in the Offering

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani!”

My God, my God why have you forsaken me?

But perhaps, just perhaps,

we are asking the wrong question.

For God has not yet forsaken us, 

really quite the opposite.

Maybe not,

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

But,

“My God, My God, why have you forgiven me?”

For he forgives when we don't deserve,

and loves when we ignore,

listens when we cry,

and hugs when we need.

And yet we forget,

we forsake,

we leave.

Yet the shepard runs, no, sprints

and brings us back to the fold.

He understands our hurt.

For there is no offering without pain.

Forgiven,

not forsaken.

My God, My God, why have you forgiven me?