Romans 12:15, A Poem by Miriam Dale

One of my students, young Miriam Dale, is a bit of a poet, and has written a lovely collection of poems called The Common Condition: Poems & Praise, with several moving pieces therein about God, suffering, injustice, and life in general. I particularly liked her poem on Rom 12:15, “mourn with those who mourn, weep with those who weep.”

I will sit down next to you, and
Wipe the ash onto my face too, and
Let the gloom settle down.
Dark and dusty, and
Be with you in sorrow.

I will mourn with you in
Shadow. I am happy to wait
I will mourn with you in
Shadow.
I will not the tears from your face
Until you ask me to.

… Then
We can walk through the darkness
Together.