Haiti by Donald Conrad

Feeling the plane touch down on a broken ground

taking my leave to a place I’ve never been before

the hungry catch my eye

 a driver standing by

a feeling in my heart I’ve never felt before

I hear grandma caution

 life can be a cauldron

someday we must account for all we do

grace is not so costly

 we’re here so briefly

keep an open heart in all you do

Try to make them well on the edge of hell

know I get a look for even saying so

standing on a corner

 like I am at an altar

talking to an orphan through a window

Grandma always told me make friends with the lonely

 have yourself a spare; that’s always true

grace is not so costly

 we’re here so briefly

It doesn’t start with them; it starts with you

 Somewhere in our prayer we press hope from despair

 try to hear the things that I’ve been told

finding strength in faces

justice from the ashes

take a little more than we can hold

Grandma’s spirit with me takes away the mystery

a feeling deep down in my soul

yes it makes one weary

to be in a legion

 we will take our rest on their sandy shore