Through the Long Dark Nights

Before the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan a little over a week ago, I had plans for my next blog post and it was in the process of coming together. I had gathered bits and pieces of things I had already written on the subject, including a poem, and all I had to do was wrap my brain around how I was going to present it and start typing. Simple enough, right?

Then on March 11, news of the earthquake in Japan came to my attention, and as more and more information became known and more and more images were seen on the internet, I found myself to be suddenly mute. I was struggling to find words. I couldn't even make a simple comment in response to friends' posts on facebook or messages via email. I tried, but... nothing! I kept thinking about the children... and Michael - how absolutely heartsick he must be to see these beautiful children in a country he loved so very much dealing with such horrible devastation! This was weighing so heavily on my heart, that everything else seemed empty and pointless compared to the thought of these little ones living the darkest days of their lives.

I had a very strong feeling that Michael would be there, doing his Angel thing - whatever he could do to save some and comfort others. And while life carried on as usual all around me, I felt somewhat detached as if I was circling overhead, watching what was going on below, not quite sure where to land or where my presence would be the most help or to whom. I donated what I could financially to the relief efforts, and I just kept praying... for the children and their families... for the rescue workers... for Michael.

A week later, I knew I wasn't going to write what I had originally intended to write, but I needed to write or do something... anything... to recognize what was going on over there. I couldn't sit here in my comfortable home with my comfortable life and act as if it wasn't happening! I could feel their pain, their fear, their sorrow and their confusion. I finally broke down and shared with a friend how I was feeling... then the words started to come.

For the children of Japan... and for Michael...

Oh children, my children

Have no fear

I hear your cries

I feel your pain

And I am here

Oh children, my children

My heart weeps with you

Through your deepest despair

I will be there

Take my hand

I will lead you to safety

Don’t give up the fight

I will hold you and comfort you

Through the long dark nights

How do you tell a child

"Do not fear"

When their world is shattered

into a million pieces

When mud floods their playground

And splinters are all that remain

of their home, their space

Where loved ones once dwelt

In their warm and safe place

How do you tell a child

"Don’t despair"

When they don’t even know

if their mommy or daddy

can be found anywhere

If their brother or sister

are buried in the mud

When time stands still

and they wonder,

Is this God’s will?

How do you tell a child

"It’s going to be alright"

When their world has fallen down

all around them

When destruction and mayhem

are all they can see for miles and miles

Day after day

And night after night

How do you tell a child

"Go to sleep now

Try not to worry

God loves you, you know"

When all they can think of is,

How did this happen?

What will become of my life?

Who will take care of me

and tuck me into bed at night?

How do you say

"Hang on little one

The sun will shine again

I promise you will see

another bright day"

When the days are unbearable

too painful to stay

And the long dark nights

only remind them

that nothing will ever be the same

They'll know you are there

when you take their hands

and lead them to safety

And you caress their little heads

ever so gently

to show them you care

Your healing touch

will get them through

their darkest despair

Someday they’ll look back

and remember

The One who touched them

with love and tenderness

You gave them strength to get through

You gave them hope anew

Sharing your light

You gave comfort and courage

through the long dark nights

They’ll remember…

And be blessed

03/18/11

Copyright © 2011 by Charlene Burgess