Poem December 23, 1950 Issue

"TALITHA CUMI"

Rosemary C. Cobham

In fearless compassion
Jesus went with the ruler to his house.
He who loved little children for their quickness
In receiving his message, interpreting his love,
Went now to quicken the child who they said had died.

"She is not dead," he declared;
"She is not dead, only sleeping."
And he did not wait for their laughter—
Their unbelieving.
He knew what he knew.
Turning his back forever
On fear, and mockery, and doubting,
Jesus went in to the little one,
Taking her father and mother.

Not fearfully, but with absolute confidence;
Not loudly, but with gentle insistence;
Not sternly, but with tender invitation
He called her, reached her, and encouraged her:

"Talitha cumi"—
Arise, little girl.
And she rose up, and walked,
And who shall know where God led her
From that day forward?

Through our despair or our sickness,
"Talitha cumi."
Through doubt, hesitation, or anguish
The challenge persists;
Winning with tender solicitude,
Strengthening hope and courage,
Calling us back to true selfhood,
Concrete and whole in God.
Each has a purpose and usefulness;
Each has a glory irradiant;
Each in the eyes of his Father
Is a lively and precious hope.

Rosemary C. Cobham

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