I WAS WITH YOU WHEN YOU CRIED

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England.)

I was with you when you cried last night.
And I tried to comfort you.
And though you looked so lost and lonely.
There was nothing I could do.

You clutched my photo to your breast,
and sobbed as though your heart would break.
And repeatedly you called my name.
And that was more than I could take.

And so you had me crying too.
And I kissed your face and stroked your hair.
And I tried and tried, but all in vain,
to let you know that I was there.

And when you'd cried yourself to sleep,
I stayed there by your side.
But when came the dawn, I had to leave,
and cross back o'er the great divide.

Though we'd spent a life of happiness.
We knew one day we'd have to part.
And we knew there'd be a price to pay.
For the price of love, is a broken heart.

So I prayed you'd be the first to go.
And leave me to bear the grief and pain.
And now I pray: "God, Please be kind.
And bring you home to me again!"

IF ONLY YOU COULD SEE THIS PLACE

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England )

If only you could see this place,
you would never know a fear.
Nor would you grieve for those who pass,
or wish them back from here.

If only you could feel the love
and well being that we feel.
And see things as they truly are.
You would never doubt our world is real.

If you could see the happiness
of young children as they play.
Free from harm and danger.
Loved and cherished in every way.

If you could smell the perfumes,
see the colours, hear the sounds.
Of a world of sheer perfection,
where love and tolerance know no bounds.

If you could see the beauty
in which we priveleged dwell.
You would understand why "Heaven"
describes our world, oh so well!

And if this helps you understand.
We do not die, nor do we roam
But dwell here in a Wonderland.
Then you will not fear your journey home.

DON'T STRAY TOO FAR

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England)

If there is something that will keep you here.
Please tell me what to do.
For there is nothing that I could not,
or would not do for you.

I would paint a rainbow in the sky.
Or catch a falling star.
And place it where you want me to.
No distance is too far.

I would protect the sky above your head.
And then if it should rain.
I'd brush the rainy clouds away,
and bring the sunshine out again.

And if at anytime I look at you,
and a smile is not in place.
I will tie a ribbon round the moon,
and bring the smile back to your face.

And then if God still calls you home.
Then what must be, must be.
And so, until he calls me too.
Don't stray too far. Please wait for me.

CHEERIO THEN

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England.)

Cheerio then.
For if I said "Goodbye"
I'd have to accept that you are gone.
And I'm trying not to cry.

I tell myself you're coming back.
But I just don't know the day.
And I'm biding time until you do.
That helps to keep the pain away.

And just to help with my pretence.
I write a letter every night.
And I look for one from you next day.
Then pretend that you forgot to write.

And just in case you wander in.
I set a place for you.
And when you don't, I clear away.
Then do the same the next day too.

And when I wrote your funeral card.
Then I simply made pretend.
It was for someone that I barely knew.
Just a distant friend.

I wrote: "We're going to miss you."
And I pretended it was not your name.
And I said: "It's sad to see you go.
But then our loss is Heaven's gain."

It just a little make believe.
But it keeps the grief from flooding through.
And I'll go on lying to myslf,
until the good Lord takes me too!

A SOLDIER'S LAMENT

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England.)

I'm sorry Mum. There is no grave,
for I lie beneath the sands.
I had to let it happen.
Or have his blood upon my hands.

We came face to face with rifles raised.
But like me, he was just a lad.
How could I take this young boy's life,
and so destroy his Mum and Dad?

We looked into each other's eyes.
And it was though the world stood still.
With finger poised upon the trigger.
But I knew I could not kill.

I saw his face above my sights.
Ashen grey, and filled with fear.
And I wanted to tell him: "Go my friend!
Turn and walk away from here!"

Strange--I didn't hear the shot.
But I lay staring at the sun.
And then I heard his anguished cry:
"Oh God! What have I done?"

And as I slipped away from life,
I felt so guilty, for I knew.
The grief and pain I had saved his folk,
I had inflicted all on you!

The last thing I remember,
before my eyes grew dimmed.
I heard that lad's voice murmur:
"Forgive me Father. For I have sinned!"

I DREAMED I WENT TO HEAVEN

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England)

Last night I dreamed I went to heaven.
And when I reached the Pearly Gate.
And Angel took my arm and murmured:
"Come inside, no need to wait."

She led me through, and there before me.
I beheld a wonderous sight.
There lay God's House of Many Mansions!
His Summerland of Love and Light!

I had never held a sky so blue.
Nor grass so lush and green.
Or Flowers of such vivid hue.
Most of which, I'd never seen.

And there among the other blooms.
As though in Glorious Pose.
Magnificent in its Majesty.
Was a single Crimson Rose!

That Rose just took my breath away.
Its beauty so exquisite!
Then the Angel plucked a single Petal.
"A memento of your visit!"

All around me people smiled and waved.
Such a welcoming sight to see.
Some came and shook me by the hand,
as though they'd been expecting me.

Then from behind two gentle hands
were place across my eyes.
Then came a voice I knew so well:
"Guess who, my love? Surprise! Surprise!"

I had never wanted anything
so much in all my life!
And I prayed: "Oh God! Please let it be!"
And when I turned-- there stood my darling wife!

We fell into each others arms.
And tears of joy began to flow.
We laughed and cried, and cuddled tight.
Each afraid to let the other go.

Then suddenly I realized
we were young and in our prime.
Exactly as we used to be.
We had travelled back in time!

Then from around us others came
who had also travelled through.
Our Grandfolk and our parents.
And they were so much younger too.

We sang and hugged and laughed a lot.
But time in Heaven has no worth.
A month! A week! Or a single day,
can be a lifetime on the Earth.

One moment it seemed my wife and I
were dancing cheek to cheek.
And then the next thing that I knew,
I was waking from my sleep.

I lay in wretched silence.
I was old again and all alone.
It had all been just a lovely dream.
Now I was back, and on my own.

Sadly I rose up from my bed,
and moved towards the door.
And as I did, a Crimson Petal
fluttered gently to the floor! ! !

TO LOSE THE ONE YOU LOVE

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England.)

It's hard to lose the one you love.
For when you do, your world has gone!
And as the one who is left behind,
you wonder how you'll carry on.

For rarely do we go together.
One or the other must go first.
To be the one who goes or stays.
Which can be the worst?

To stay and suffer heartache,
or to be the first one through?
Yet would you really want to watch
your loved one grieve for you?

The choice was never left to me.
But I give thanks it was her time.
And I thank the Lord that he ensured
the pain and grief was mine.

So until my time on earth is through,
and I can join her up above.
Every tear I shed for her,
is a token of my love.

IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, England)

I won't pretend I wasn't scared.
Because I felt so all alone.
No one could make this journey with me.
I had to make it on my own.

I have always put my trust in God.
But when your time is drawing near.
Especially in the wee small hours.
You just can't push away those fears.

I so much wanted to believe
what I'd been taught was true.
That I was moving to another life.
But still those doubts came flooding through.

But there, I made my first mistake.
For no one journeys on alone.
A loved one from the otherside,
always comes to take you home.

If I'd only known what I know now.
I would not have lost a moment's rest.
It's far the easiest thing I done.
In fact, I'd say it was the best!

I have merely made my journey home.
And that's something that we all must do.
Yet still free to come and go.
And spend time on the Earth Plain too.

I'm fit, and full of energy.
Young, and in my prime.
I've got the best of both worlds now.
So unlike me. Don't fear your time!

A Journey Through Grief

by Richard John Scarr
(East Sussex, Brightn England.)

At first I felt completely stunned.
As though walking in a daze.
I could not except that you were gone.
But gradually I left that phase.

And then I thought my heart would break.
Because everything had ceased to be.
For when God took you from my side,
he took my world away from me.

And each night I cried myself to sleep,
as I lay in deep despair.
With my hand upon your pillow.
But of course, you were not there.

Next came anger, and even rage,
because I'd been left alone.
Angry at God for taking you.
Angry you'd left me on my own.

Then came guilt, and little things,
grew to huge proportions in my head.
And I asked for your forgiveness,
for those things I'd done and said.

And everywhere I ventured,
held memories of you.
And though I tried to close my mind.
Still thoughts of you came flooding you.

And so I found myself avoiding
where we had shopped for years.
For I knew that if I entered,
I'd have to leave again, in tears.

It takes time to ease an aching heart.
And then slowly we come through.
And though I've excepted you are gone.
I can't stop missing, or stop loving you.

A POSTCARD FROM HEAVEN.

by R J Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England )

Dear everyone, just a card to say,
I'm having a wonderful time.
Don't fret that you can't see me.
I promise I'm doing fine.

I'm here with all those family and friends,
who travelled on ahead.
You wouldn't believe the welcome I got.
So much for being dead!

There was auntie Flo, and uncle George.
Oh, and lovely cousin Giles.
And we had a right old knees up,
and people came for miles and miles.

We danced and sang, and drank a drop.
Well, what's a party without gin?
But it was all done in the best of taste,
with no complaints about the din.

The funny thing about it is,
we are not aware of time.
And there's no such thing as old age here.
Everyone is in their prime.

Neither is there any illness.
Nor any woes or aches and pains.
No deficiencies or deficits.
Only progress, yields and gains.

The weather is just perfection.
There's scented flora of every kind.
With colours so vivid and beautiful,
it simply blows your mind.

So please believe me when I tell you.
The following words are most sincere.
And I mean this in the nicest way.
"I wish you too were here."



R J Scarr

A Calm And Peaceful Journey

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England.)

No need for fear, my darling,
when transition time is due.
When the moment comes to join me,
I'll be there to bring you through.

It's a calm and peaceful journey.
No need for doubts or qualms.
For you'll travel gently through the veil,
safely snuggled in my arms.

I will take you to the Halls of Rest,
where you'll wake up well again.
For in our Land of Love and Light.
There is no suffering or pain.

I'll be with you through your healing sleep.
And be the first one that you see.
And you'll reach and gently touch my face,
to convince yourself it's really me.

Then all the loved ones that you've lost,
and who have travelled on ahead.
Whom you thought you'd never see again.
Will gather round your bed.

And when you're fully rested.
I'll introduced you to our World.
And watch the wonder in your eyes,
as our Summerland unfurls.

And when all your friends have gathered.
To add their welcome too.
I will take you home to the little house
that I've prepared for you.

DEATH ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE

by By, Richard John ScarrBrighton, England

There was a time when death was feared.
But that was long ago.
When death was thought to be the end.
For people simply didn't know.

But gradually, as time went by
and truth began to out.
Slowly light began to dawn,
as we learned what death was all about.

And the more we learned, the more at ease
we came to feel about the thing.
Till finally for most of us,
death had simply lost its sting.

The more we hear from folk up there,
of the wondrous place to which they've gone.
Far from fearing going home.
A great deal say: "Well, bring it on!"

And anyway, that poor old death
has always took the stick.
For all those things that take us off.
But it isn't him that makes us sick.

He's just a door through which we pass,
on our way back to the Summerland.
Where we're fit and well, and in our prime.
Can't wait to go! Boy! Ain't death grand?

Safe In The Arms Of God

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England )

Steeped in self pity and sorrow.
I said: "Lord--Please hold back tomorrow.
Don't make me face another day like this.
If I have a debt to pay. Must I pay it day by day?
Wont you give me back the one I love and miss?"

"God--I'm old and tired, and I hurt so much inside.
What did I do that I should walk alone?
Why did you take my wife,
and leave me to a lonely life?
What was my sin for which I now atone?"

"Why have I spent these years,
lost in heartache, grief and tears?
Please help me understand, what did I do?
And if I must repay, did you have to let me stay?
Would it not suffice had I been taken too?"

"You took her from my side, although I begged and cried.
I could only watch and not prevent my loss.
I prayed so hard to you.
For you'd had heartache too.
You had watched your loved one die upon a cross?"

"But he is there within your sight, and sits upon your right.
But the one I love is out of sight to me.
And if I didn't fall from grace.
And I'm not here in disgrace.
Why all this grief? Why did you let it be?"

Then a gleam of light appeared. And I saw it all so clear.
I was wrong to wish my darling back again.
Though taken from my sight,
she is safe in love and light.
And free from all her suffering and pain.

How selfish can one be? I was thinking just of me.
So thoughtless, I should hang my head in shame.
If lonely days are all I pay,
she should not suffer one more day.
Then that's a price I have not paid in vain.

She has made her journey home.
And although I feel alone.
I know she is watching over me.
Though every day apart, leaves a new ache in my heart.
I will bide my time and wait here patiently.

And when my time is due, I will make my journey too.
And join my darling on the other plain.
I will cross "The Great Divide"
To be there at her side.
And then we'll never be apart again.

A Calm And Peaceful Journey

by R J Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England )

Have no fear, my darling,
when transition time is due.
When the moment comes to join me,
I'll be there to fetch you through.

It's a calm and peaceful journey.
No need for doubts or qualms.
For you'll travel gently through the Veil,
safely snuggled in my arms.

I will take you to the Halls Of Rest,
where you'll wake up well again.
For in our World of Love and Light.
There is no suffering or pain.

I'll be with you through your Healing Sleep,
and be the first one that you see.
And you'll reach and gently touch my face,
to convince yourself it's really me.

Then all the loved ones that you've lost,
and who have travelled on ahead.
Whom you thought you'd never see again,
will gather round you bed.

And when you're fully rested,
I'll introduce you to our World.
And watch the wonder in your eyes
as our Wonderland unfurls.

And when all you friends have gathered,
to add their welcome too.
I will take you home to the little house
that I've prepared for you.

In Loving Memory of You

by Richard John Scarr
(East Sussex, Brighton, England. )

The attributes of you, my love.
That made the you I knew.
Create a beautiful epitaph,
In Memoriam of you.

With the serenity of an Angel.
A nature sweet and quaint.
A heart of gold. A gentle soul,
and the aura of a Saint.

With values that never faltered.
And drew everyone to you.
Like me, who loved you at first sight.
Your friends all love you too.

They love you for simply what you were.
A friend both firm and true.
Faithful, and so dependable.
Like no one I ever knew.

You were one who only saw the best
in everyone you met.
Alway ready to forgive.
And ready to forget.

You made each day worth living for.
And gave meaning to my life.
You were everything a spouse could be.
I was so proud you were my wife!

Through good and bad, you loved me.
A stalwart to the end.
You were my very life! My soul mate!
My love! My wife! My friend!

God's Little Angel Too

by R J Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England)

We only met just for a moment.
For you hardly saw the light of day.
God sent you here, then changed his mind,
and took you back the other way.

Yet it's so hard not to reason why,
and except God's will be done.
For it makes us weep how close we came,
to being your Dad and Mum.

We think about you all the time.
In fact-- that's all we do.
We thing about you every night,
and every morning too.

We think of you in silence.
We think of you in prayer.
And sometimes in our grief we say:
"Oh Lord-- It's so unfair!"

Just considering what might have been,
is almost more than we can bear.
So why then, did he let it be?
That we are here, and you are there?

Yet if we could ask him why he takes,
little Angels just like you.
No doubt he's say the reason is:
You are his little Angel too!

My Journey Into Heaven

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England.)

It was in those final moments.
With my body racked with pain.
That I prayed for death to take me.
And yet fearful just the same.

And then, as though in answer.
The room was filled with light.
All fear and doubt just vanished.
And I knew everything would be alright.

For in those final moments
God had whispered in my ear:
"You are merely coming home, my child.
And there is nothing you need fear!"

And so, at peace within myself.
Having lost the fear of death.
I drifted into gentle sleep.
And then took my last breath.

And when I found myself in flight,
I still felt no alarm.
For to my surprise, I realised
I was cradled in my mother's arms.

Although mum and dad passed years ago.
And we had mourned their passing too.
I was safely snuggled in mum's arms
and was being carried through.

She brought me safely through the Veil,
and to the Halls of Rest.
Where I was laid upon a couch,
and treated like an honoured guest.

And all around me others lay,
who had also crossed "The Great Divide"
And they were filled with wonder too.
To find that they were still alive.

Then a gentle lady took my hand.
Saying: "Time to Heal, my dear.
You are safe, and in the Summer Land.
And there is no danger here."

"So close your eyes and go to sleep.
While our Lord Heals all your pain.
And when you wake, all will be well.
And you will never hurt again!"

So with a calm I'd never known,
I let myself succumb.
And surrendered once more into sleep.
So the Lord and I could be as one.

But oh the joy! When I awoke,
and found my parents by my side!
And all the loved that I'd lost,
were also there, they hadn't died!

And then, as though he'd read my thoughts.
I heard that same voice whispering:
"You see. It's as I said, my child.
There is no death! Nor any sting!"

When The Last Hand Comes Aboard

by Richard John Scarr
(Brighton, East Sussex, England )

No more a Watch to stand, Old Sailor.
You are outward bound on an ebbing tide.
Eight Bells has rung. And last Watch done.
A new berth awaits you on the other side.

Your Ship is anchored in God's harbor.
And although his sailors are of equal rank.
There will be Shipmates on the deck to greet you.
And Pipe, as you ascend the Plank.

Her boilers with full head of steam.
Cargo stowed and Galley stored.
Just waiting to get underway.
When the last Hand comes aboard.

Look sharp! That Hand is you, Old Sailor.
And you'll be sailing out on Heavenly Seas.
May the wind be ever at your back.
Fair weather, and God speed!