Mary Levering (1931-1982)

Words & lyrics, 1982

I know in my heart of hearts
That your death cannot be the end
Of everything you were in my life
My mother and my friend

You've come to me in dreams
I've felt you in the wind
But still I cry
At the thought that you've died
I want you back again

I don't know how
God could allow
Your flame to lose its light
Maybe God ain't always right

Could he see
Past your disease?
You cancer had not won
Did he run?
Or did he simply turn away?

You gave me all you had
And sometimes you'd give me more
It hurts to think
That sometimes I'd turn
Away and close the door

I stayed with you in pain
I gave all I could give
Yet still I feel that can't be enough
You taught me how to live

I watched you die
But I don't know why
It had to be that way
Why was it you who had to pay?

You stood between
Me and the gleam
Of  Saturn's angry knife
You sacrificed your life
You stood on the cross to die

I hold you in my heart
And I love you more today
Than I've ever done
As a man or a child
I'm following your way

You taught me how to give
And you've shown me how to die
I'll live my life
With your song in my heart
Your spirit in my eyes

You will live on
In a son who can not
Forget your inner light
Beauty born of darkest night

I promise you
That I shall be true
To the life I feel within
And I will begin
To open my doors again

I will begin
To open my doors again
 

© Kirtland C. Peterson, 1982