When the end of road is near, when time is moving fast
When everything is added up, and the last of dies is cast
From the silent garden of despair, my voice is crying out
Take this cup away from me and release my mind from doubt
I gaze into the shadows, in the corners of my soul
Where ancient gods and devils roam and acting out their role
Then a vision bright and clear; I can see His Kingdom reign
In every newborn child and in every mustard grain
When greed of gain and slothful ways cause pain and bitter strife
Trouble to my house it is, and thorns grows 'round my life
In the moment of oblivion I turn to the wind and rain
With a last and final call, for Him to ease my pain
I've been to the mountains high and down into the deepest well
I've seen the light from heaven, and its shadow cast in hell
Then I came to understand, this life is but a chain
Through every newborn child, through every mustard grain
I was taken to the desert, to the howling wilderness
To face temptation's evil joy and play a game of chess
And many pawns they died that day to save the Kingdom's reign
And many seeds of tears were sown in desert sand like rain
I stand upon the wisdom of those who've gone before
My hope is for the children, playing on the shore
The life I've lived is not in vain, it's like a livin' chain
Through every newborn child, through every mustard grain
Copyright © 2008 Göran Gustafsson. All rights reserved
This poem is inspired by and a reconceptualization of Bob Dylans song 'Every Grain Of Sand'.
The image and theme of the mustard grain is of course taken from the Holy Bible:
'The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed (...) the least of all seeds (...) but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs. (KJB Matt 13: 31-32)
A lovely piece of work Goran, beautifully worded. Best wishes, Andrew
*********************************************************************** In the moment of oblivion I turn to the wind and rain With a last and final call, for Him to ease my pain *********************************************************************** Tears just rolled down on my cheeks reading this. I can relate these lines, because this is what i always do every time, and call on HIM to ease the pain. Until now, i still grieve the deaths of my parents and my elder sister, they died one year after another.. I love the way you use your words, it is wonderful and your message is powerful. Thank you so much for sharing.Love it. Shalom.. God bless you, Meggie
That first stanza is powerfully written. Liked the mustard grain theme. Adeline
As a chess player, this is my favorite part: I was taken to the desert, to the howling wilderness To face temptation's evil joy and play a game of chess And many pawns they died that day to save the Kingdom's reign And many seeds of tears were sown in desert sand like rain Well done, and congratulations on having it selected as poem of the day!
Lovely poem with lilting sweetness of rhyme. The role of a mustard grain and its derivation from mythology is just amazing. Thanks, Goran. Please keep up the good work. Then a vision bright and clear; I can see His Kingdom reign In every newborn child and in every mustard grain
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
WOW! Goran, this is beautiful! Very powerful words, and a deep introspective look at life in all it's dimensions. Your writing reminds me of some of mine. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. Best, Linda :)