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Father's Love
How could I live without you, Lord my God!
My heart would break with sorrow, pain and grief;
Life would be without purpose and motive;
Death and abyss would rule with iron rod.
Birds would not fly, and stay forever mute;
Nor would the flowers their sweet fragrance give;-
And Love itself-- it could not longer live,
Torn from its source, its wellspring and its root.
Friendship's affection would no more be found;
Nor tender love between the bride and groom;
Stars would refuse to shine, but stare in gloom
On devastated fields and barren ground.
The fruitful earth would turn to arid sod;
Sweet song and music would no longer sound;
No healing ever for the grievous wound;-
For you alone are Love, - my Lord, and God!
The above is a translation of my mother's original poem in German as shown below:
Vaterliebe
Wie konnt ich leben ohne Dich Oh Herr?
Es braeche mir das Herz vor Kummer schwer,
Die Sonne strahlte nicht ihr Licht mehr aus
Der Tot nur atmete die Nacht und Graus.
Die Blumlein all verloeren ihren Duft
Die Voerglein floegen stumm dann durch die Luft
Es gaebe kein Lieb auf Erden mehr.
Denn Du allein bist Liebe Gott und Herr!
Maria Magdalena Doppelmayr
