Poetry
~
Reflections From Life Itself

 

A Wintertime Visit To Sâmbăteni

 

Călin Ille, battling cancer for one year, was the focus of a January visit to Sâmbăteni, Romania. Brian Morgan and I traveled there to be with Călin and his family, to pray with them, to see him once again. In March his earthly body was transformed to his celestial body and there is no more pain or and no more tears for beloved Călin. He has awakened to a joy that knows no bounds.

This poem was written upon my return from Romania, prior to his death but with the knowledge that medical science had done about all it could hope to do for Călin. The images and emotions captured in this poem are personal ones - my first meeting with Călin; my late afternoon visit with Nelli to the cemetery in Sâmbăteni; our time of prayer and communion at the hospital with Călin and Diana and Violeta; the glorious singing of hymns in Jimmy Foster's kitchen with so many from the Ille clan present, including Călin by Skype.

My first meeting with Călin came in 2000, one year after Missy's death. We cried together at that time and later he used a photo of Missy's blue eyes to make a beautiful memorial collage that still today is displayed in our living room.

A Wintertime Visit To Sâmbăteni
Cu dragoste sfânta pentru Călin

When from the depth of foggy night
I woke to dreams of my delight:
those eyes clear blue, those shining eyes of old,
dear to me now as when first you gave,
dear as that summer day we met, and cried,
yes, cried...

Yet rose the sun this wintry day,
faithful traveler recalls His loving ways;
at last light cold windswept prayer,
Tata Mama and Cristi's peace, and tears fall
amid hope, and love, and fear,
yes, even fear...

But now comes the Bread, the passion's delight,
and here the Cup, our Savior's love bright;
gift of grace, we taste anew, fresh
tender tears once for all His touch is true;
Tata's sacred embrace, love wrapped tight,
sweet gift of Love's
everlasting light...

Then song stops time, while babies cry
and people sway, love in locked arms,
heaven sounds, and papa's gift of Psalm
gives voice, pure voice; O joy
in this moment's love, may it ever be:
hearts melt, eyes are clear, the hosts declare
the Savior is ever near.

Steve Belton
31 January 2011