We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing

Dedication and Poem

TO THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND

Sergeant Alex Kaczmarczyk

THE MIRACLE OF RAIN

"The receding curtain of rain . . .began moving back toward us, against the wind . . . as if a great and omnipotent hand moved it."

They learn man's impotence, who long adrift
In loneliness of space find seas and skies

To charts unknown, where sullen dawns are swift
But bring no hope to aching, straining eyes;

Yet they found faith to ask for rain to heal
Their thirst, and saw how passing clouds were stayed
As if God stooped to heed their faint appeal
And the waters heard and the waves obeyed.
Father, we plead that peace may come like rain
In Thy good time to our beloved land;
Grant us the strength to work, and thus sustain
The faith to know a mighty, unseen hand
Still guides our destiny; and as we pray
May rain's soft mercy bring a better day.

John Hooks
Chicago Tribune