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For Those Who Grieve
The Echo of My Weeping

So empty – my words of wisdom!
So shallow – the comfort of my pen!
A poet’s skill and talent turned to the task
Fails!
Shared tears . . .
Shared tears alone speak a deeper language.

Not the myth of understanding.
Not even the “I’ve been there” line
Though truth there might be in those words.

So be still my pen.
Spill no more ink on paper
except as tears smudge the print.
Speak no more words to those who grieve
except as the echo of your weeping
speaks the deeper language
of shared tears.
 



© Brian C. Austin 
published in Laughter & Tears book and Audio CD
used by permission
all rights reserved 

The Echo of My Weeping
The voice of Brian C. Austin
Dylan


They sneak up without warning,
these hot and painful tears.
They squeeze the chest and crush the will.
They do not still the fears . . .

That torture – though the worst
has already taken place.
A little one so longed for
has hid from us his face. 

So great was our rejoicing! 
                                                                                         Was it so few days ago
                                                                                        when the coming of this little one
                                                                                             set our hearts aglow?

Parents, loved ones, grandparents,
we joyed to speak his name,
treasured the glimpses of each day,
spread abroad his fame;

Longed for the chance to hold him,
spoke his name with deep delight;
were sure the world was brighter
‘neath the glow of his small light.

But he’s gone now and we’re aching
with the great unanswered WHY
God loans a child for so few days
then lets that child die?

Not the first to feel such sorrow;
we will not be the last.
But this pain is OURS – so bottomless.
Seems it will forever last.

But God shares in our sorrows,
knows how deep a loved one grieves;
saw His loved and cherished Son die,
hung between two thieves.

And He does not let a tear fall
where He does not share the pain.
And He sees beyond our present grief
to when we’ll meet again.

Tis a promise that we treasure
though the tears still fall today.
God holds our precious little one
to re-unite with us one day.

And the tears, so deep and painful
cannot out-reach His love.
So we’ll trust our precious little one 
in the hands of God above.


Copyright Brian Austin
b_caustin@everus.ca
 Published in Laughter & Tears book and Audio CD
and also adapted for Hot Apple Cider.
Used by Permission
all rights reserved
Dylan Michael Edgcumbe
March 3, 2003 to March 8, 2003
Photograph by Jason Edgcumbe
Used by Permission 

Dylan
The voice of Brian C. Austin
I Don’t Want To Cry Alone


I took a pen and paper as I sat up in our bed.
I hoped to find some small relief by writing.
Yet the grief too raw, the pain too fresh,
the agony too deep.
I only scrawled one line upon the paper.

My wife lay there beside me.
She too was filled with grief –
I finally put my pen down – held her close.

Just one line I had written
With all my poet’s skill.
Just one line – lacking beauty – speaking truth.

I’m a man and foolish male pride fights against all tears.
I’m a man, but I’m a grandpa and a dad.
A little one lies in a grave beneath the frozen sod
and “tonight – I don’t want to cry alone.”


Copyright Brian C. Austin
from the Let Heaven Weep collection
used by permission
all rights reserved

Reminiscing on a night several weeks after the loss of our Grandson.