The days stretch on, a never-ending stream Of hopes and fears and shattered dreams The daily sacrifice, once pure and bright Now lies in ashes, a pitiful sight The abomination, a desolate thing Brings destruction on its scorching wings A curse upon the land, a blight on the soul A wound that refuses to be made whole But in the midst of darkness, there is hope For those who wait, who learn to cope With trials and tribulations, they endure Their faith in God, unshaken and sure Blessed are they who hold on tight Through the long and endless night For when the end finally comes They will rise to their allotted sums Rest will come, sweet and serene No more tears, no more pain, no more mean And in that place, they will receive Their inheritance, and they will believe That all along, God was by their side Guiding them, protecting them, as they ride The waves of life, and now they rest In His arms, eternally blessed. May 10, 2023 MarkWaldrop