Near the edge of the cliff stood a stump,
  beside it he stood and considered to jump,
they both endured years of pain,
  they withstood the beating of rain,
in his life there had been so much joy,
  so many years passed since he was a boy,
alone there in that time and space,
  to meet his maker face-to-face,
instead he sat down,
  down on the ground,
and right there he sat,
  in his hand his hat,
he despised his hesitation,
  while he had this contemplation,
he began to pray,
  and he heard God say:

“What would happen if you were to plummet,
  if you went over the summit?
What would you leave behind,
  who would go out of their mind?
Who would suffer a broken heart,
  as their world fell apart?
Consider the little one,
  with whom you have much fun,
consider that little guy,
  as he is wondering why.
Also consider her arms,
  that hold so many charms,
their emptiness forever,
  to hold you again, never,
only your memory would remain,
  and the echo of your name,
to ease her fright,
  and comfort her at night.”

The more I listened, the more he spoke,
  I shed a tear, then the floodgates broke,
now down on my knees I do pray,
  asking Him, “allow me to stay.”
His rod and staff now comfort me,
  my hand in His, where it should be,
years have passed, I stand at the edge,
  His love protects like a hedge,
and here I stand and do not fear,
  so grateful to have Him near.
    © 2000 Randolph D. Brown, Jr.