Tribute to a Prophet

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I dedicate this poem to President Hinckley and to Gina, my inspiration, for it was through her beautiful brown eyes that the idea for this work was conceived.

The Empty Chair

My neighbors came and broke the news

Our prophet dear had died

I felt a peace and calm within

No tears flowed from my eyes

I stood in line and braved the cold

To see the prophet sleep

"Surely this was a prophet of God"

But I had no desire to weep

The tributes and the memories

The testimonies borne

Of this great prophet did not bring

A cause for me to mourn

And on the funeral morning

My sorrow with none did I share

Not until between two counselors

I saw -- that empty chair

For it was then I realized

My leader had been lost

And never would I again see

Him rise from that chair to talk

I’ll miss you President Hinckley

We’ve lost one of our own

To many saints around the world

You’re the only prophet they’ve known

But all is well, we shall go on

With your memory and a prayer

For God will give us the best He’s got

And place him in that chair

Ben Arkell
February 2008

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