Kenosis

for Kelly
Philippians 2:5-11

There is an empty cup once full

poured out into the living hearts

of those you served. If you heard

this said of you, your face would flush

from neck to ears (you know it’s true)

accompanied by an “aw-shucks” grin.

The good die young and old and in between

and all too soon, it seems. And a life

heaven-bound fails to mitigate

grief and pain: tears can wash but not

erase, never erase. Deny the pain

denies the life, denies the love.

A life well-lived deserves to be well-mourned.

The deeper the love, the deeper the scar that binds

the broken heart. And as grief pours down

to re-baptize the wounded lives, an empty
cup once full remains to store the tears.