Poem July 11, 1988 Issue

What would I have done?

Carolyn D. L. Hewitt

Would he have gone along, this ruler named
Jairus (whose daughter Jesus raised from death)
Agreeing with the priests and other men
Who sought destruction for the Son of God?

Or would his gratitude have been so great
He'd shout, "Wait! This man's of God. I know!
How else could he have brought my child to me?
He said she was not dead, but slept; he raised
Her up. And then we saw the living girl!"

Would he have been a loud dissenting voice?
Or was he silent, a ruler ruled by his
Ambition, fearing for his own career,
Faced with seething thoughts, "Shall I speak up?
If so, what will they do to me and mine?"

Today are choices put upon us all,
At times as rough as that man's long ago.
So, questions probe into each yearning heart:
If I had been there, what would I have done?

O, dear Master, what am I doing now?

Carolyn D. L. Hewitt

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