• He took one life but gave back two.

How flows the divine arithmetic I cannot sum ...

When his daughter’s loss leaves a father benumb,

Such are His mysteries none too few.

Crushes his shoulders this bitter harvest shame,

Yet with strength enough he prays a father’s grief.

He awakens from nightmares about a fallen leaf ...

ere long were sent him twin miracles came.

He taketh, He giveth in this, His world,

Hug them tightly until you’ve strength no more.

Lest their souls depart to forever soar,

blanket them with kindness gently unfurled.

Wherein she lies, her father nightly weeps,

For his ballerina’s laughter now sadly mute

Nary a faint echo within her schoolgirl’s flute,

that he plays of her, his memory keeps.

Alan D. Busch

2010