November 26, 2016
Dirge at Dawn
I must sit beside the road a while and rest
For I am wearied by this constant fray.
Our warriors are on all sides sorely pressed,
And darkness threatens to devour the day.
Today’s news from the front has torn my heart:
Our leader has succumbed to wounds sustained
By every soldier when the Opposer’s art
Brought down the curse of death and God ordained
We would in enmity live out our days.
Yet from a distant shore a shout resounds
As our courageous leader joins the praise
Echoing in a mighty chorus that now drowns
The noise of battle and the cries of woe.
So I will rise betimes and fight anew
Since Christ has dealt to death a deadly blow
And will restore all things when time is due.
Copyright © 2016 by Teresa Roberts Johnson (All rights reserved)
This poem is fondly dedicated to the memory of The Most Reverend Royal U. Grote, Jr., a faithful shepherd of the flock who went home from the war on Thanksgiving Day. I have no doubt he heard the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Angliverse 
Curtis Crenshaw said,
November 27, 2016 at 8:33 pm
Over the top, Sister. Thank you
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Jonathan Trebilco said,
November 26, 2016 at 11:29 pm
This line, “Our leader has succumbed to wounds sustained”— ripped my heart open. Casualties in the field. Shocked. Punched. Tears. I cannot believe he has departed from us.
Jonathan Trebilco+
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Teresa Roberts Johnson said,
November 27, 2016 at 5:09 am
His death has left a hole in many hearts. I am so glad he left a legacy of men like you to carry on the fight.
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