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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2001-10-10 09:35 AM


Just a brief explanation on this one so as to not offend anyone. After the attack on 9/11/01, I heard a lot of people trying to blame what happened on God and questioning why he would allow this to happen. The poem portrays their feelings, but yet in the end reverses things around to question those who question themselves....ie. you are alive, safe and free how can you ask where God was in all this?
p.s. the story about the bible is true. When going through the Pentagon, searchers found a stool that was untouched by the fire not far from where the plan crashed. On the stool was a bible. It was unburned as was everything 3 floors above and below it.


Where Was God?

Winds of war blow clouds of smoke
Over piles of rubble where searchers poke
In search of life; on death they choke
And wonder, “Where was God?”.

The dig out bodies from the pile
Eyes thick with tears, no cause to smile;
The death count rising all the while
They wonder, “Where was God?”.

Onboard the doomed flight 93,
Men, now heroes, changed what would be;
Foiled set plans to save you and me.
Still, they wonder, “Where was God?”.

In Pentagon rubble, someone spied
An untouched bible open wide.
It was not burned or nothing beside.
Yet they wonder, “Where was God?”.

As they safely watched the news
And heard all the reporters views;
Spared their lives and freedom to choose.
How could they wonder where was God?


~ Ruth
www.angelfire.com/pa/OriginalMinds/index.html  

© Copyright 2001 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2001-10-10 09:40 AM



Welcome Home, Ruth...as always, a splinter of wisdom from the heart...you share well, my girl, and it's good to see you again!

The Lady of Shallot
Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818
USA
2 posted 2001-10-10 09:42 AM


Oh, Ruth, Ruth......I'll be back before the end of the day to bump this and reply. Right now, I'm speechless. (((hug))))

-befriend yourself and you will never be alone-

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
3 posted 2001-10-10 09:53 AM


This is very good. I like it alot.
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
4 posted 2001-10-10 10:18 AM


You always do appear just when we need you, wise one... Sure do wish they'd give you some internet access in them thar back woods...

Nicely done, m'friend... Miss ya...

LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
5 posted 2001-10-10 10:48 AM


Ruth - an excellent poem, as are all of yours.  I, too, have missed you.  Take special care of yourself, lil Hootessa.
Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
6 posted 2001-10-10 10:56 AM


How, indeed.  Well Done!  BRAVA!

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

everafterhim
Junior Member
since 2001-10-08
Posts 24
Ohio, Pioneer
7 posted 2001-10-10 01:30 PM


Well done. Sock it to'em. Thank you for sharing about the Bible. I didn't know about that. Where did you hear that from? Thank you!
Tina L.

JUSTIN ALLEN
New Member
since 2001-10-10
Posts 3
Not sure-just want to go home.
8 posted 2001-10-10 01:46 PM


Hello,
I live for poetry that can teach & make me think. You are obviously a wise individual.  Great poem!
Justin Allen

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
9 posted 2001-10-10 01:53 PM


What a fantastic poem, and very timely too Ruth, thank you for this one.  Why indeed!  p.s. your page is wonderful, I went and had a weenie peek!  

~I always have time to listen to someone talking from their heart~

BloomingRose
Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092
Florida
10 posted 2001-10-10 04:11 PM


Oh so true... your words of wisdom strike the truth with a powerful blow.
Though it seemed God was nowhere around when tragedy happened on Sept. 11, he only turned his head for a brief moment. The grief is his as well.
The freedom to choose was freely given to all men. Sadly, evil will rise in the choosing. We have to understand that God will gladly hold our hand. The unburned Bible had to be God.
Hugs to you,
Debra

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
11 posted 2001-10-10 04:28 PM


Ruth, this is very well done, beautiful and oh so true!  Thank you, ~hugs, NancyLee~

~I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before.~
  

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

12 posted 2001-10-10 07:27 PM


Death will come, tragedy will strike, "in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." God doesn't promise us that only good will touch our lives. But He does promise to walk through with us, come good or ill. Very well expressed, Ruth! Soooo nice to see you again! Check your e-mail!

[This message has been edited by Denise (edited 10-10-2001).]

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
13 posted 2001-10-10 08:17 PM


Thank you Ruth!!
Beautifully put! I sure do miss reading you.

He was there, He was everywhere. There's an email about that going around. He was holding up the buildings to help those escape. Busy convincing people NOT to get on planes that day. He was everywhere.

God bless you Ruth for stating something my heart cries out, but can't find the poetic words to describe.


Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

14 posted 2001-10-10 08:36 PM


Ahhh Ruth, so good to see you here and so wonderful to read your wise words again, so beautifully written.

Maree  

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
15 posted 2001-10-10 08:36 PM


Thank you everyone for your kind words. I certainly do miss not spending time here.
As for the bible story...it was contained at the ending of a story about death in the ruins of the Pentagon found in USA today.

~ Ruth
www.angelfire.com/pa/OriginalMinds/index.html  

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
16 posted 2001-10-10 08:38 PM


One of many miracles of that day I'm sure. A very interesting read. Had not heard it yet. Once the sorrow subsides somewhat..I'd say we'll hear many more. Like the man that rode the building all the way down with little harm. Amazing grace. Thank you for sharing.

Sincerely,
Regina

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
17 posted 2001-10-10 08:59 PM


Beautiful !!!!!!!!
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
18 posted 2001-10-10 09:12 PM


Wonderful to see you Ruth! I've always enjoyed your words, and this is clearly an example of why ... beautifully expressed, and laced with wisdom. Much enjoyed!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

19 posted 2001-10-10 09:31 PM


Dear lady, much love and good thoughts coming your way, thank you for this.

Kathleen
nickname "Kay"

"Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently."

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
20 posted 2001-10-11 04:23 PM


Ruth I think we will always have that thought when tragedy stikes...where is God...and yet we all know that this life that can contain much joy and happiness can also give us pain and suffering...James
jonmcm
Member
since 2000-10-11
Posts 222
England
21 posted 2001-10-11 05:03 PM


There is much we do not understand, and often we take the easy way out and blame God; Humanities greatist talent is to 'pass the buck'.

Thank you for the thought prevoking poem.

Jon  

jellybeans
Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298

22 posted 2001-10-12 09:37 AM


nice work ruth, I listen to a christian station that echoed this very thing...good to see you here lady  
The Lady of Shallot
Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818
USA
23 posted 2001-10-15 01:40 PM


this is worth a second read, very well thought out and you are a wise lady....


-befriend yourself and you will never be alone-

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
24 posted 2001-10-15 05:52 PM


Thank you everyone  
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