"A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man - even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?" - Ecc. 6:3-6
Empty headed and motionless lies
My Lily not yet grown but out of time.
Nothing done, yet punished for unknown crime.
Before the light can touch your eyes
The darkness takes, and grimly fills
My heart with emotions, bitter and sad.
At least you left without feeling life’s ills
And peaceful now, grow Lilies to be had
By all who chance to see thine memorial mark.
But parting still, unknown, is dark.
“Vanity, Vanity!” David’s seed once said.
For what more does the wise man have than the fool?
When they reach the end of their fate-spun spool
They both are nothing, they both are dead.
Oh, my wilted Lily, your life was naught,
And yet, greater than the richest king.
For you, my flower, were never taught
The discontents of life, never suffering.
When my thread is cut I hope to see
You in raiment white covered in divine glory.
---
This is a poem I wrote in fall of 06, I believe.
This poem is dedicated to my sister Lily and brother Jedediah who I never got to meet in this life.
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