POETRY CORNER: QUESTIONS

My daughter had an 18-month-old son, and her friend had an 18-month-old daughter. On an auto trip, the little girl died of carbon monoxide poisoning. My daughter is a highly volatile person, and she became hysterical. When we got her quieted enough to go and see her friend, the friend asked me to sing at the baby's funeral. My husband told me that I was letting myself in for a huge heartache, and I would regret singing. He said I was being foolish. But I did sing, dffficult as it was to do. I have never regretted it, although the memory of that baby stiH hurts.

Questions

By Dolly Dambach

1973

Am I a fool to say that I don't care

When worldly goods don't come my way?

When all around me evil seems to gain,

Sometimes I don't know what to say.

Oh, what to say.

But in my heart I know there's goodness in every man.

God gave us souls to be a part of a greater plan.

The choice is ours, our fates are in our hands,

And if I choose to follow You,

Am I a fool?

Ok right is right, and wrong is wrong, they say.

At least, that's how it used to be.

But black and white now come in shades of gray.

Sometimes it's pretty hard to see which way is right

We'll make mistakes, that's in the nature of every man.

We'll do the right, at least we'll try, just the best we can.

And if we try, You'll give a helping hand,

So if we put our trust in You,

We'll not be fools.

Am I a fool to see another's grief

And share the pain as if my own?

Am I a fool to open up my heart,

So they don't have to bear alone

The pain of loss?

Am I a fool to believe in the golden rule?

To live my life the way I think You would have me do?

Oh, no, dear Lord, when I am kind like You,

I know it's true, I know it's true,

I'm not a fool.