This is one of my most cherished poems... There is a great deal of imagery in this poem and accompanying picture... I chose this picture which I had taken in a nearby cemetery on a cold winter morning... Note the light (representative of Christ) and the fact that we all live in its shadow... Like the sun, Christ brings new life... eternal life... The crosses, of course, signify death as well as Christ's sacrifice for us, and remind us that where we go after this life, very much depends on our beliefs. The larger view of the cemetery reminds me that I am but one person among so many others who have had trials in life... and that each of us has "a story"... and can make even a small "mark" in the landscape or impact someone else's life... Life on earth is so short and as such, we must make the most of it in terms of helping and forgiving others, for what we do to help others will play a great role in what we reap later... Note also the footprints in the snow... often... the life we lead is reflected in something as simple as footprints - or the lack thereof - of a loved one by our grave... footprints truly help portray the "if and how we will be remembered"... How will we be remembered by others... as persons who knew how to love... as peace makers... as persons who could forgive even the most horrible of injustices... these are all serious questions we must all ask ourselves. The tree is a beautiful, simple reminder in our daily life - that although we too go through struggles and hardships, it is Christ who gave the ultimate - choosing to die for all of us while we were yet sinners so that we may be forgiven and find new hope in life and Christ.
|
|