Carefree, she ran into the park to play,

her face uplifted to the sun;

that day …

aware of brewing storms

that etched

the sky,

clutched at a fear

and nursed it.

Then I

saw her hand

outstretched

like a small child;

and while I watched,

Another Hand

reached down and clasped it.

 

I heard the distant thunder

with a smile.  

 

Taken by permission and adapted from “Ruth Bell Graham’s Collected Poems,” by Ruth Bell Graham. ©1977, 1992, 1997, The Ruth Bell Graham Literary Trust.