saints

went to a choir concert tonight and cried during this song.  perspective is always nice to have from time to time...

as grains of sand, as stars,

as drops of dew,

numbered and treasured by the almighty hand, 

the saints triumphant throng

that holy land

where all things and jerusalem are new.

we know not half they sing

or half they do,

but this we know,

they rest and understand;

while like a conflagration freshly fanned

their love glows upward, 

outward,

thro' and thro'.

lo!  like a stream on incense launched on flame

fresh saints stream up from death to life above, 

to shine among those others and rejoice:

what matters tribulation whence they came?

all love and only love can find a voice

where god makes glad his saints,

for god is love.

~christina rosetti (1830-1894)