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Lucie
Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077
Houston

0 posted 1999-06-21 07:32 PM


In a dark and dismal alley
where the sunshine never came.
Dwelt a little lad named Tommy
sickly, delicate and lame.
He had never been healthy,
but had lain since he was born.
Dragging out his weak existense
well nigh helpless and forlorn.
He was six was little Tommy
it was just five years ago.
Since his drunken mother dropped him
and the babe was crippled so.
Tommy lay within the cellar
from the morning till the night
Starved, neglected, cursed, ill treated
naught to make his dull life bright.
Not a single friend to love him
not a single thing to love.
For he knew not of the Savior
or a heaven up above.
It was a quiet summer evening
and the alley to was still.
Tommy's little heart was pounding
he felt so lonely.. till.
Floating up the quiet alley
wafting inward from the street.
Came the sound of someone singing
sounding oh so clear and sweet.
Eagerly did Tommy listen
as the singer nearer came.
Oh that he could see the singer
how he wished he were not lame.
Then he called and shouted loudly
until the singer heard the sound.
And on whence it issued
soon the little cripple found.
It was a maiden rough and ragged
her appearance far from neat.
"So you called me" said the maiden
"Wonder what you want from me."
"Most folks call me singing Jessie,
what might your name chance to be?"
"My name's Tommy, I'm a cripple
and I want to hear you sing."
And she sang to him of Jesus
Pearly gates and streets of gold.
Where happy angel children
aren't starved and nipped with cold.
But where happiness and gladness
shall increase and never end.
And where kind and loving Jesus
is their Savior and their friend.
Eagerly did Tommy listen
as he drank in every word.
As it fell from singing Jessie
was it true what he had heard?
And anxiously he asked her
"is there really such a place?"
And a tear began to trickle
down his pallid little face.
Tommy, your a little heathen,
who's that beyond the sky?
And if you love your Savior
you will go there when you die.
Then said Tommy, "tell me Jessie
how can I the Savior love,
when I am in this cellar
and he is in heaven above?
Then the ragged little maiden
who had learned at Sunday school,
all about the way to heaven
and the Christian's Golden Rule.
Taught little cripple Tommy
how to love and how to pray.
Sang to him a song of Jesus
kissed his cheeks and went away.
Tommy lay within the cellar
which had grown so damp and cold.
Thinking all about the children
in the streets of shining gold.
He had only heard of Jesus
through that ragged singing maid.
He might well have wondered
till the night began to fade.
But took it as she told it
and believed it then and there.
Simply trusting in the Savior
and his tender loving care.
Jessie told me Jesus listened
so I think I'll try and pray.
I hope you can forgive the past
I didn't know before today.
Then he put his hands together
and he closed his little eyes.
And in accent weak yet earnest
sent this message to the skies.
"Gentle Jesus please forgive me
as I never knew before,
that you cared for little children
who were weak and very poor."
"And I never heard of Jesus
till that Jessie came today
and she told me all about it
so I think I'll try and pray."
"You can hear me can't you Jesus?
Jessie told me that you could."
And I somehow believe it
so I think I'll try and pray."
She told me if I loved you
I would go there when I die.
In that bright and heavenly mansion
that is just beyond the sky.
Lord I'm only just a cripple
and I'm no use here below.
Oft' times my mother whispered
she'd be glad if I would go.
Sometimes I'm cold and hungry
and oh so lonely too.
Come and fetch me gently Jesus
up to heaven along with you.
I would be so good and patient
I would never cry or fret.
And your kindness to me Jesus
I'm sure I would not forget.
I would love you all I know of
I would never make a noise.
Can't you find me just a corner
where I'd watch the other boys?
Oh I long to see you Jesus
and I do so want to go.
Tommy ceased his supplication
he had told his hearts desire
And he waited for the answer
until his brain began to tire.
And he lay there in the cellar
all huddled in a heap.
Closed his little eyes
and went quickly fast asleep.
Oh I wish that every scoffer
could have seen his childish face.
As he lay there in the cellar
in that damp and noiseless place.
His countenance was shining
like an angel fair and bright.
And it seemed to fill the cellar
with a holy heavenly light.
In the morning when the mother
came to wake her crippled boy.
She discovered that his features
wore a look of peace and joy.
But she shook him somewhat roughly
but the cripple's face was cold.
He had gone to join the children
in the streets of shining gold.
Tommy's prayer had been answered
and the angel of death had come.
To remove him from the cellar
to a bright and heavenly home.
Where peace, joy and comfort
shall increase and never end.
And where kind and loving Jesus
Is their Savior and their friend.

© Copyright 1999 Lucille Dobbins - All Rights Reserved
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
1 posted 1999-06-21 09:06 PM


Wow! What more is there to say? A truly inspirational poem! Perfect! I'm so impressed!!!!
Lucie
Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077
Houston
2 posted 1999-06-21 09:11 PM


THANK YOU SO MUCH.. IT WAS ONE I WROTE A LONG TIME AGO.. THANKS FOR READING AND APPRECIATING IT..
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 1999-06-21 10:07 PM


How much more beautiful can a poem be? A wonderful story created in a smooth, flowing and rhythmic manner. You must be very proud of this one. I would be. Thank you for sharing it.
Sally S.
Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847
Ohio
4 posted 1999-06-21 10:39 PM


Absolutely beautiful! A truly wonderful piece.
sea_of_okc
Senior Member
since 1999-06-15
Posts 568
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
5 posted 1999-06-22 03:51 PM


Lucie, this poem touched my heart. Very inspirational, thank you for sharing it.
elvira
Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936
California
6 posted 1999-07-22 05:14 PM


well done...i normally don't make it through long pieces, but this one was gripping

------------------
one night at the airport...Childhood Memories...eight short weeks...your countenance...just watching tv...hoarse whispers...My One and Only...Tribute to M.J....Feel the need?...serving wench...the mistress...stolen hours...devotion...Master...apart

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 1999-07-22 05:48 PM


Lucie, I don't know if you attend church, it's none of my business, but every Sunday School should have this posted on their bulletin boards. I thoroughly enjoyed your work. Thank you for sharing.

------------------
Sunshine
Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ
Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


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