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
