Two Poems for Jeanne

"Coincidentally" the first of these was written exactly two years before Jeanne entered into the presence of her Lord. I cannot date the longer piece as precisely. And no, I did not have her in mind when I first wrote them. They just seem to fit now.

When and why does a Christian die?

A Christian's death comes when he has completed the tasks
His Lord asks--
And then comes the rest
And then comes the glory
And then comes the seeing
And then death is the means
To life in its fullness for
Life is being with and like Christ.

Whatever beauty this world holds

Whatever beauty this world holds,
It holds as a poor reflection of heaven,
It holds yet as pure as the earthly can be,
It holds and it draws me more close to Thee.

Whatever beauty this world contains,
It contains as a gift from heaven,
It contains as mist or rains
Something of the glory yet to be known,
It contains yet a bit, yet a scent,
And through it I see and sense,
Incense which draws me more close to Thee.

Whatever beauty of bird or mornings dew
Can only point me more to You
For all that is lovely in truth and delight
Is at God's right hand in radiant light.