The Rose still grows beyond the wall. By A.L. Frink

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
budded and blossomed in God's free light
watered and fed by morning dew
shedding its sweetness day and night.
As it grew an blossomed fair and tall
slowly rising to a loftier height
it came to a crevice in the wall
through which there shone a beam of light.
Onward it crept with added strength
with never a thought of fear or pride
it followed the light through the crevice length
and unfolded itself on the other side.
The light, the dew, the broadening view
were found the same as they were before
and it lost itself in beauties new
breathing its fragrance more and more.
Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
and make our courage faint of fall?
Nay, let us faith and hope receive,
the rose still grows beyond the wall.
Scattering fragrance far and wide
just as it did in days of yore.
Just as it did on the other side.
Just as it will forevermore.

This was posted in another forum I go to, I thought it was beautiful, and so true. It gives you pause to think that those we have lost are not really gone, but "blooming" on the other side.