They Carried Their Crosses By Faith In Honor { An Octadic Poem With Closing Envoy } Poem by Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr

I have seen the scars of many on mind an' flesh,
Crosses shouldered high and fending the splinters-
that make each Cross so far more painful to bear,
yet, these souls seem to bear with brave conviction,
makes we wonder if they know when it's time to say 'when'
And suddenly it struck me, and it made me feel ashamed,
that I had such little Faith in these souls I pitied,
as I realized in their world.....there wasn't any 'when'.

You see, each one of them had the trust and cardinal Faith
that their Crosses would be lifted, without their asking,
that their Crosses would be lifted when they could no longer
bear them by the Mercy of The One who knew from the start
when it was time for Him to say 'when' to put down the Cross.
Such Faith is rewarded by support and assistance, just as
Christ received the mercy of His Father thru' the appearance
of Simon of Sirene who helped carry His Cross to the Hill.


That's how Faith works, and how ordinary people accomplish
extraordinary tasks and courage in the face of Death
them all to the end of their journey with little discomfort.
Faith, when there is no substance to touch, requires Trust.
And both Faith and Trust are built on the foundation of Hope.
And, that's how we place our lives in the Hands of someone
we cannot touch, cannot see...and that in itself is a Cross.
My God, what a lesson to be learned before my day arrives.

Trust and Faith be virtues and gifts from His own blessed Wood
Crosses, we must carry with our hearts, minds and flesh;
Why? Because He did much more for us, and never said 'when'.




FjR-MMXV