The Weaning

This was written ten years after my father's death.

"Too soon", I said,
"O God!"
"You took my dad
too young.
Deprived him of his
grandchildren;
sweet anthems left unsung."

"You took him ere
I had the chance
to curse the world
with him.
Before our viewpoints
merged at all,
before I cherished him."

"My child", you said,
"His time to leave
was consummately planned
to stir your soul
to higher things
to wean you from
the things at hand."

An eaglet satisfied
with earthy nest
gives not to flight
her earnest best
till heavenward father
bids her come
to soar on heights
as yet unknown.

* * *
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child with its mother,
Like a weaned child is my soul within me."
Psalm 131:2