Time to step on the stage again
To face the disappointment and pain
Of a voice lost for a time
And see if now it will be just as fine.

An accident had taken his voice
That so many times before
Awed audiences with great success
But would it ever be the same
To bless others once again?

He stood before the mike
With calm control
To announce the title of his song
And sang brave and bold
"You Raise Me Up."

I listened with abated breath
To a voice strong and clear
Expecting the audience to stand and cheer
But alas they gave a boo and hands down
Asking him to leave and no longer be around.

The judges were spellbound
Enthralled at the incredible sound
Of a voice pure and strong
As he sang on.

The audience started to stand
Beginning to understand
And turned thumbs up
As he sang on
"You Raise Me Up."

With emotion he took his bow
And the audience stood now to cheer
As the judges arose to say, "Wow!"
Giving him the nod
And he checked a tear
Knowing his voice had been restored by God
To sing on.

My heart was struck by the courage
He displayed to sing on
As the crowd
Raised their voices loud
In rejection clear
But at the end they stood to cheer
As he sang on.

Often life is that way
Trying to put us down
But we must continue on
Never losing courage
By what the world might say
But sing on
Lifting our voice to God in praise.

ŠJane Ward Smith
July 26, 2008
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