WRETCHED MAN'S PANGS

"To a most merciful God"
Wretched man that I am, my wrongs began when I was born
For half-past my sojourner's walk loved ones are gone,
It is not that they have departed this life and unto death
But they see me with contempt, disdain and regret

In my teens I was sent on a journey myriad of miles
To help others from their suffering and cries,
In agony and pain, death struck with such unbelief
With pangs in my heart, I watched those left in grief

At age nineteen I accepted the responsibility
To bring hope and joy to this grief stricken family,
Our gracious Lord bestowed on me his grace and mercy
Within a decade, God's fruits and joy replaced the tragedy

Prestige was on the rise and enormous respect from man
I soon forgot that my help came from God's right hand,
The treasure chest of fortune began to overflow
The distance between God and me started to grow

Worldly possessions monopolized all of our lives
My levirate-marriage ended, I no longer had a wife,
In my trials loved ones fled and my heart began to bleed
And though I failed God, He remains the provider of all my needs...

Author's Comments:
"This poem is based on fact and is a compendium of my life from 1970 - 1998. Jesus said we may stumble but we shall not fall. Jesus kept his promise to me. 'I shall pass through this world but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.'[ETIENNE DE GRELLET]"