The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Space (01/23/06)
The loss of a loved one is surely one of the deepest pains we can know on this earth. In the vast space of that agony, our soul cries out to the silent one who is gone and to the God who is always there to bear such depths with us.


Since your death…


Since your death,
I stand here in this hollow space,
this stagnant place,
made only for those who wait and weep.

Grief’s bitter draw pulls at every prior pleasure,
and swallows hope,
churns it into rancid tears,
then thrusts them back into these empty hands.

This space,
where I hover between what was
and what will never be again,
steals breath,
but will not grant my death since you have gone.

Imprisoned here I stand in this orb of time.
Would that these feet could lift
into the endless sky of eternity sublime
and meet you there in holy innocence and peace!
Ah, such sweet release!
But God’s great wisdom waits,
and no allowance makes for such a freeing fate.

Suspended, my heart moans seeking only home
and wandering in this horrid space.

Oh, Holy God!
Am I not willed to see the sense in such a loss?
Must I be content to think upon the Cross!

…to think upon the Cross…

In Christ’s cruel death He stood in that hollow space
where Death held captive Love’s embrace.
I remember now, I heard Him cry.
He asked the Father…why….
In that horrid space, the Son, suspended there
between the orb of time and wide eternity,
drank in and swallowed bitter Death
in love for me.

This grieving space, where I hover still,
between what was and what will one day be,
is my cup to drink
until I see the reason for my loss,
the reason for this cross,
in God’s eternity.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1823 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Pat Guy
01/30/06
What can I say? This is so beautiful and wise. So deep in pain that is holding on to the only Hope that makes any sense. Beautifully tragic, mended by a tragically beautiful death of our Saviour. Words to read again.
Laurie Glass 
01/31/06
Wow! This poem is so full of emotion. From despair to hope - I love it! And it's a poem that I'm sure will touch many grieving hearts.
Amy Michelle Wiley 
02/01/06
Wow. Powerful poem. Well done and thank you!
Crista Darr
02/02/06
Amazing poetry. What a gift! Your words touch deeply.
Shari Armstrong 
02/03/06
A very powerful poem.
Corinne Smelker 
02/03/06
If C S Lewis had written poetry (I think of his book A Grief Observed) he would have written something like this, Evocative, wonderfully haunting - this will stay with me.
Jan Ackerson
02/03/06
Once again, your poetry transports me. Perfect in every way. I just love the way you write free verse, but play with rhymes and other loetic devices; I want to learn that skill. You have been given a very precious gift.

Loved this line, what a perfect picture of what grief does:

Grief’s bitter draw pulls at every prior pleasure...
Lynda Lee Schab 
02/03/06
I wish I was more knowledgable in poetry to give you a detailed review. But all I can say is I loved it. To me, this is poetry at its finest. Wonderful!
Blessings, Lynda
Garnet Miller 
02/03/06
Wow! "..where Death held captive Love's embrace..." I love it! You have an uncanny way of seeing deep into an emotional state and gettign at the heart of our feelings.
Very well done!!!

Cheryl Harrison
02/03/06
Very moving. Within the boundaries of time and space, grief can seem unbearable. But what a wonderful God we have...there is no grief in eternity for those who belong to him. Brings to mind Romans 8:18 (NIV) - "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
Tiffanie Chezum
02/04/06
Well done, thank you.
Maxx .
02/04/06
This is really good and may just be a contender. You have captured an emotion and given hope. Excellent.
Suzanne R
02/07/06
Beautiful ... just beautiful. And deep. I hope this gets used somehow ... perhaps published somewhere ... whatever, used to bring comfort in grief.
Julianne Jones
02/08/06
What can I say other than "Wow!", "Awesome!", "Incredible!", "Amazing!". You have a real talent. I agree with Suz - this should be published. It really is an inspiring piece. Well done.
Nina Phillips
02/10/06
You have a gift indeed, Shared amongst so many. As the Lord speaks, "Be prosperous in your soul." His purpose speaks of plenty.
So that, out of our hearts, to others we share. Our due service charity, with faith lifting up each burden we bear.
A tribute to the ones that have went on before, still they have left behind a work, which was carried on in you.
So, I see this as though, a gift..their gift to you, intertwined with your unique talent. For our loss, is also our gain in Christ Jesus. You wouldn't perhaps have written this beautiful, sincere, heartfelt poem if a corn of wheat hadn't fallen to the ground and died. Now, it bears much fruit altogether, not alone but with a multitude.
I have to add my humble admiration to the rest--but more so to the one the one we love the best. Thank you for sharing..littlelight
Drew Scot
02/22/06
You captured it well. Going through the entire flow of emotions in such a situation, you have to be living in it. Way to connect. Thank you.