I cannot blame these problems. Not on me,
not on anyone that I now can see.
But he who truly gave us them is he
who took them back within Gethsemane.
Our pains have naught to do but with our God,
who gave them us. He is responsible
for both creating and sparing the rod—
defense, ombudsman, and kind constable.
And any who have held the rod bear not
all blame. He owns it, for he made it so.
That’s why he can say that we never ought
to call even our enemy our foe.
He is both fire and savior. His it is
to take both worship and all grievances.
~~~
I met him when he was a little child,
when life had taught him nothing—nothing yet.
And I said nothing either. I was mild,
watching what he got and would beget.
And saw how many ills were put his way,
and how few voices ever stopped the flow
of bad perspectives, yet, still, I’d not say
what he should listen to, or where he’d go.
But when the boy was older, then I heard
the call to tell him everything I knew.
He’d heard too many a hard-hearted word,
and had too many villains in his view.
He still was just a boy, but I was wise,
and, as a friend, myself I did advise.