by Brian Gifford

They stood by her graveside, wife and mother they’d lost.
He held red roses, she’d brought the cross,
And a picture of Jesus to place near the stone.
She could tell from the silence he felt so alone. 
And he said to his daughter:
You’re partial to Jesus, and you always were
But all I can think is I’m missing her.
Yes you’re partial to Jesus and have been so long.
But what can He do hear, now that she’s gone?
And she said to her father:
He came back to life, He rose from the tomb.
And He’s with the Father, making us room.
And when He returns, we’ll rise from this earth
If we’re trusting in Jesus, and we know His worth.
If we’re trusting in Jesus, saved by His blood
Filled with His Spirit and full of His love
I cherish you father, but I’m prone to the Son
Yes, I’m partial to Jesus for all He has done.  
They missed her no less as the years went by
And so they would come to remember and cry
He’d bring more roses, and they’d always fade
Still there’d be Jesus, He would remain.
One sleepless night she took paper and pen
In a letter she asked, “Dad, do you trust in Him?”
“Yes,” he responded, “He’s my Savior and Lord
I’m trusting in Jesus, of that rest assured. 

He grew frail and weaker over the years. 
Now it’s his turn, for him she cries tears.
But finds peace in the letter, and the life that he lived.
She knows he’s home with Jesus, in Heaven with Him.
So stay partial to Jesus, saved by His blood
Filled with His Spirit, and full of His love
Cherish the Father, the Spirit and Son
And be thankful to Jesus for all He has done. 

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Brian Gifford has previously published short fiction and poetry in, among other publications, Agape Review, The November 3rd Club, The Copperfield Review, Boston Literary Magazine, and Mississippi Crow. He works as a law clerk for a bankruptcy judge in Columbus, Ohio.