[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THERE ONCE WAS A CHILD (SONG OF AN UNBORN BABE)

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                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Carol Howard, a resident of Savannah, 
GA and the First Congressional District of Georgia, authored a poem 
that I think will touch many hearts. The poem is dedicated to her son, 
Scott Alexander, and her granddaughter, Yael Jordan. It is inspired by 
Father Jim Mayo.

                         There Once Was a Child


                        (SONG OF AN UNBORN BABE)

                          (By Carol C. Howard)

       Dedicated to my son, Scott Alexander and my granddaughter 
     Yael Jordan and inspired by Father Jim Mayo.

     There once was a child of grace, gentle of spirit and fair of 
           face, who came to be in early spring, blessed by the 
           kiss of an angel's wing.

     The angel stood beside a Throne, he told the babe, ``He was 
           God's own, and that with his December birth, would come 
           a man to change the earth!''

     ``For God has chosen you, sweet one, to try and right the 
           wrongs they've done, to catch the flag before it falls, 
           once you are big and strong and tall.
     The greatest land the world has known will, by your birth, 
           become your home, though other lands have been led by 
           kings, the land you'll lead has been kissed with 
           angel's wings.''

     He placed the babe within a room; he heard a lullabye in his 
           mother's womb. Her voice was as the summer breeze that 
           rocked him as a gentle sea.

     The child though smaller than a hummingbird, would turn his 
           head at Mommy's word. He loved her more each passing 
           day, this child who loved to kick and play.

     ``Dear Mommy, I know that I am small and it will be awhile 
           before I'm tall. I'll make you very proud of me, cause 
           I'll be lots of help, you'll see.''

     His days were filled with great delights; he kicked and 
           played with all his might; then summer rain hushed him 
           to sleep. The tiny child gave not a peep.

     The Lord, called the angel to his Throne, His tear-filled 
           eyes like bright stars shone; ``They have no room for 
           him, you see, the way they had no room for Me.''

     The angel sad, with head cast down, with lonely eyes he 
           looked around. ``These men that Thou hast made like 
           Thee care not for life because it's free.''

     The angel then with sorrowed eyes journeyed far beneath the 
           skies, beyond the moon's impassioned plea he shook his 
           head and took his leave.

     The angel said with gentle tone, ``Remember Heaven is your 
           home, beyond the clouds and past Death's Door, the 
           Father waits forevermore!''

     As morning slipped right past the night the world was eager 
           for it's light; The sun in sorrow hid his face from 
           earth, and man and time and place.

     In a fury came the rains. For Heaven's cries was the child's 
           pain. He was thrown into a bucket cold with no one 
           there, his hand to hold.

     A tiny hand reached out to find a mother's face, the love 
           that binds. But, all alone, in fear, he cried, then 
           closed his eyes, And then he died.

     Years later, on a cold, bleak day, a woman closed her eyes to 
           pray. A tear upon her pale cheek lay; ``Forgive, me 
           child I threw away.''

     An angel came to take her home; he said he was her very own. 
           ``I love you mom, more than you know, Come take my 
           hand, it's time to go . . .

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