They found him dead one morning
Just a bum from off the street
Tattered clothes upon his shoulders
Ragged shoes upon his feet
Most everyone in town had seen him
As he daily shuffled around Town
Seeking just a short conversation or word
And more frequently being put down
He was always polite and respectful
Although not the very best dressed
Last week in a conversation with him
Was when I learned about him the best
Years ago he lost his wife to cancer
Then his three kids to liquor and drugs
He set out on the street to talk to folks
And tell them all of God’s love
But people were not always receptive
He had been ridiculed, spat on and beat
He continued his quest, the way he knew best
Never willing to admit defeat
Folks bowed their heads in silence
And prayed to God above
And pondered words he often spoken
There’s hate where there should be love
Then out of nowhere she found him
She came when she learned he was dead
And with saddened hearts folks listened
As from a note she read
“Peace and silence beckon from the grave
And give my heart a tug
I no longer have the will to live
There’s hate where there should be love”
The same note she gave him years ago
When she considered ending her life
He told her all of God’s mercy and love
And made her put away the knife
He said, there’s children now to think about
And there’s a God that’s up above
Is it worth the cost, everything is not lost
But there’s hate where there should be love
She owed her life to this kindly gentleman
Who helped her mend her life that was frayed
He had always given, asking nothing in return
She bowed her head and she prayed
Dear God, thanks for taking my friend
And ending his suffering and pain
Let him bask in the sun of your wonderful love
Where he will never know hate again
And help me Lord to continue his quest
Giving praise to the Father above
And help people turn their lives around
Because there’s hate where there should be love
( C ) September 2007 Clarence “Sonny” White
