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sandgrain
Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA

0 posted 2000-02-29 11:30 AM


Compassion to Realization

A raging blizzard of pelting sleet
Had downed a migrating flock of geese
In a field beyond the big red barn
Threatening their lives or great harm.

Seeing this from his house, so warm,
The farmer dressed and braved the storm.
Like a bullet barrage, the sleet and wind
Cut and stung all his exposed skin.

He'd let these geese in his barn
Feed and keep them warm
Til the battering storm had passed
Sparing them this deadly blast.

As the field of wounded geese, he neared,
He found he was greatly feared
As they fluttered aside in pain
Not understanding why he came.

He tried luring them in with corn
But they'd flee when reaching the barn.           He swung the huge doors open,
Yet failed to lure or chase them in.

Frozen from head to toe
He grieved for what they didn't know,
Closed the doors, returning home
He thought, "If I were a goose, they'd 've known."

He slumped home hurt and beat,
More by defeat than sleet,
When struck with the stark realization,
That was God's reason for incarnation.

I heard this story some time ago and don't know who originated it, but thought it was worth trying to put in poetic form to share.

© Copyright 2000 Rae Petersen - All Rights Reserved
deleeme
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 1766
NEW ENGLAND, USA
1 posted 2000-02-29 04:50 PM


YES IT IS!!! It seems like a story of things that could possibly happen--just another compassionate farmer, misunderstood in his well intentioned efforts. But the REALIZATION
is the Reality, that it truly illustrates for us the greater degree to which God has gone, to save us from certain destruction.  PRAISE GOD!  And thank you for sharing it with us.  David

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2000-02-29 05:13 PM


this is excellent. what a great creative poem, to take an old story and turn it into verse...and better yet to have such a moving lesson in it too. very nice sandgrain!!
JM

ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
3 posted 2000-02-29 07:35 PM


Sandgrain; How wonderful is this analogy and you did a beautiful job with putting it to verse. It reminds me of a parable that Jesus might have told. Lovely!    ellie

 02



ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
4 posted 2000-02-29 07:35 PM


Sandgrain; How wonderful is this analogy and you did a beautiful job with putting it to verse. It reminds me of a parable that Jesus might have told. Lovely!    ellie

 02



WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
5 posted 2000-02-29 08:50 PM


I remember this story     You did a great job putting it to verse and retelling it! Thanks  
Stephen Jones
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 53

6 posted 2000-02-29 08:58 PM


Sandgrain,  What a profound truth.  I am amazed every time I ponder it anew.  So many people have tried to express it in so many ways but this is perhaps one of the most vivid ones I have heard.  My grandfather was a farmer and so the "nearness" of the imagery was powerful to me.  Thank you.  I just had a thought:  Just like "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" even so the beautiful truths of Christian/ spiritual poetry should be "made flesh" by the lives we lead.  Look forward to seeing more of your poetry
sandgrain
Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA
7 posted 2000-03-01 10:06 AM


Wht. Dove, glad you remembered the story and liked it in verse.
deleeme, whenever I read one of your profound works, I feel my efforts would be better spent washing floors.   When YOU give me encouragement, I feel God's placed an angel at my side.  Many thanks
Janet Marie and ellie, thank you for your kind responses and encouragement, too.  I have a few more stories I now think I'll try this with.
Stephen, Yes, it's one thing to read great works but quite another to adapt our lives to them.  Such is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, huh?  Glad you related closely to the farm experience, and took the time to respond to this piece.  Thanks be to God for each of you.

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