Verse Thursday

[linaewen]

I woke up this morning fretting about our friends and our ministry back in Pakistan, and it brought to mind a poem I wrote one day.




This poem came to me about a two years ago, during a time of intense longing to return to our home in Pakistan at a time when we thought we might not be able to, because of all the horrible things that were happening in the world. Since that time, we did get back, but now we are here again and the poem still applies.

It also came at a time when I was writing a lengthy inkling about Boromir and his struggle to return to his home and people in Gondor, and his frustration with not being able to get back in a timely fashion, with the aid he thought they needed. Amazing how sometimes that fictional tale and character mirrored what was going on in my own life!

My thanks to Boromir for helping me put into words what I was feeling at that time.

WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

So far away!
When will I see you again?
My White City,
Set upon the knee of Mindolluin.
You face East and do not shrink
At the shadow of the Dark Land opposite;
Rather, you glory in the fire, and in the brightness
That glows from your walls and towers
When the dawn breaks.

So far away!
When will I see you again?
My White City,
Like a ship, a ship of stone;
Strong and enduring are you,
Foremost in the defense of Gondor!
I stand like a mariner on the battlements
And look out over your walls and your gates,
My feet feel your strength, and I stand firm.

So far away!
When will I see you again?
My White Tower,
Standing tall on the heights of stone,
Like a spike of pearl and silver that glitters in the clear air;
My heart leaps when I hear the silver trumpets ring out,
And the snapping of the banners in the breeze,
And the calling of the Guards of the Citadel
In the Court of the Fountain.

So far away!
When will I see you again,
My brother?
I miss your presence by my side!
Younger you are, yet wiser in many ways,
Reader of hearts, gentle in bearing,
But ever courageous and fearless in danger.
No rivalry between us, only love;
Brother of mine, I wish you were with me.

So far away!
When will I see you again?
Gondor, my country!
Land of stone that stands ever as a bulwark against evil,
And guards the Great River and the passage to the Sea;
By your valor are peace and freedom maintained.
I miss you, my City, my Tower, my brother,
My people! So far away,
When will I see you again?

Nothing like doing this three times to get this cut stuff to work, to get me out of my doldrums, LOL!