Nearer, my God to Thee

This well-known Christian hymn is one of my favorites.  I find great solace in its words, and wished to share them with you tonight.  I will be conducting a church choir in singing this in a few weeks, and that brought it back to the forefront of my mind. 
A famous, favored piece for over a century-and-a-half, it is thought that the music for this poem was played as the RMS Titanic sank beneath the ocean waves. 
In living or dying, these words bring peace, as it assures us of the truth that God is always there for us, stretching out His hand for us to come nearer, nearer to Him.

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Sarah F. Adams

I Shall Not Be Afraid

Have you ever missed an unpleasant emotion, such as missing someone?  I have.  Sometimes feeling that emotion is a good thing, because it means there is still hope.  When you miss being able to miss that special person, you'll know what I mean; it's far worse.
Today's poem is like that; back around the turn of the century (1900, not 2000,) there were two well-known poets who got married.  Joyce Kilmer served in WWI, and was killed in action, right at the height of his poetic career.  His wife, Aline Kilmer, wrote this poem after his death.  
She conveys with it the feeling of wishing for fear, for that would mean that the worst had not yet happened, and there was something left to fear for.  In other words, she wished that hope was still there to be found.
I don't know if any of what I've said will make sense to those reading this, but this poem really hit home for me.  Let me know your thoughts about it.

I shall not be afraid any more,
Either by night or day;
What would it profit me to be afraid
With you away?

 Now I am brave. In the dark night alone,
All through the house I go,
Locking the doors and making windows fast
When sharp winds blow.

 For there is only sorrow in my heart,
There is no room for fear.
But how I wish I were afraid again,
My dear, my dear!

Aline Kilmer