It was on
the
Mississippi,
Where the
great
draw-bridge
was known,
And the
keeper had
great
honor -
Far from
his
Oklahoma
home.
It was in
the dark
depression
days.
He'd
headed
toward the
east,
But, found
this most
prestigious
post
To feed
his
family.
When the
ships came
down the
river
Then, he
pulled the
lever hard
And the
bridge
split in
the
middle,
Raised and
stood like
giant
guards ...
Letting
pass the
ships of
cargo,
Going
north and
south each
day,
The
captains
highly
trusted
him -
This
keeper of
the way.
Now, the
trains
that
crossed
the river
Sounded
out a
whistle
shrill.
The
engineers
had
confidence
In the
keeper,
down the
hill.
So, they
bustled
on, so
speedily.
They knew
this
bridge
would hold
All their
merchandise
and
passengers,
All their
many forms
of gold.
It
happened
on a sunny
day,
The keeper
took his
only son -
Let him
watch him
do his
duty,
Let him
see a job
well done.
They had
lunch down
on the
walkway,
Jutting
out into
the deep.
For from
there, the
bridge
looked
awesome,
Like a
giant he
must keep.
They saw
the cogs
and pins,
The gears
all
polished
bright.
The keeper
pointed
out the
turns they
made,
To make
the bridge
raise
right.
Then,
engrossed
in their
discussion,
Came a
sound of
great
alarm!
'Twas the
whistle of
the
engineer'
Signaling
to keep
from harm.
The keeper
leapt to
scale the
wall
And pull
the lever
fast!
He dare
not waste
a moment,
for
The train,
too soon,
would
pass!
So, he ran
and
grabbed
the lever
-
Just
glancing
up to see
His son,
not
waiting on
the dock
Where he
was told
to be.
His eyes
fell on
the gear
box,
His son,
in agony,
Had fallen
there and
caught up
tight
In the
gears of
that
machine!
Four
hundred
souls are
racing,
To crash
into the
bridge!
Four
hundred
people, he
would
choose,
To
sacrifice
or live!
There was
no time to
warn the
train,
Nor rescue
safe his
son,
And so he
did the
only thing
...
And wept
when it
was done.
The train
sped by,
unheeding
The keeper
weeping
there.
He looked
up, saw
the faces
Of
passengers,
so fair
...
A little
girl with
ice cream,
A man in
tall grand
hat.
A woman,
with
companion,
Engaged in
friendly
chat.
They never
knew, as
they swept
by,
The
sacrifice
it cost.
The
keeper,
weeping
bitterly,
So loved
the boy he
lost!
I cannot
help but
think the
day
That God
gave up
His Son
...
The world,
goes
rushing on
its way,
Unaware of
what He's
done.
He built a
bridge
that spans
the gulf
From here
to
Heaven's
shore.
He
sacrificed
His Only
Son.
He opened
Heaven's
door!
Oh,
Keeper,
how can I
repay
That Heart
that loves
us true?
Dear
Keeper of
the Bridge
of Love,
I give my
life to
You!
İİ by Joan
Clifton
Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com
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