Author Information
@ 27.225 MHz: Elegy For Walter Miller, Jr., Science Fiction Writer
[after Matthew 7:1 and Romans 14:4]
(Walter Miller, Jr., 1923-1996)
This affliction of mine was largely accidental---
and cannot be as daunting as those ghastly mental
and emotional agonies you could not confide
at the last, before you chose to suicide.
Nothing is worth the taking of a human life---
no need, no desire, no stress, no storm, no strife;
not even that ultimate and relentless despair.
But I cannot pretend to know what burdens you had to bear.
But I know the One who defined, perfectly, that verb "to care."
And basking in His Redemption, and believing with certainty,
I know that He has forgiven even the likes of the wicked me.
Of all that you suffered, He is well aware;
and cognizant of those demons against whom you had striven.
I think you have entered His Kingdom, restored, relieved, and forgiven.
Yes, that is what I now, and will, continue to think
as long as stars shine in earth's sky, and monkeys stink.
Starward
