Yet How Many More ..

Some years ago, I wrote a poem on the occasion of Chris Farley's death, attributed to a drug overdose. Now, we hear of the death of actress Brittany Murphy, and further, today, the finding of large amounts of prescription drugs in her bedroom. No rush to judgment, as dead is dead, but I thought this might be an appropriate opportunity to post my thoughts as to those in the limelight, who play too close to the edge. Herewith, what I wrote those years ago:

HOW MANY MORE….

How many more will have to die

Before the Lord tells you and I

In words we can’t misunderstand

That we all live only by His hand

And furthermore we’re in a war

With Alcohol … and Drugs .. and more

That overwhelms our spirits so

And leads us to that land of woe

Where the famous die and friends are grieving

For talented and loved ones leaving

This world and going who-knows-where

With pain that’s more than they can bear

God does not trifle, as we have seen

It’s not that He is ever mean…

But rest assured that He is just

And those who do not in Him trust

And give Him sway, in truth and fact

Live only by His gracious act

Of mercy undeserved and free

That He can stop whenever He

Decides that it is fit and meet

To sweep abusers off their feet…

As Chris and John and River know...

To where they never thought they’d go.

So time has come: don’t take for granted

That seeds by which your deeds you’ve planted

Won’t sprout and grow and put to sleep

The life you thought you’d always keep,

And too late come to see the facts

That you and others by your acts

Have drawn the curtain to a close

Much sooner than you might suppose.

How many more will have to die?

Not mine to say, but I know that I

Will not be one of those who do…

The question is … will one be you?