Love Poem: The Garnet

The Garnet

On a cold, winter day,
I was born,
A new creation in a troubled world.
My birthstone, the garnet,
the color of blood worn on my finger. 
I saw no light in the dark red stone.
I wondered, why not an emerald, 
                                  a diamond or ruby? 
The garnet, like blood on snow,
is the color of suffering, 
a keepsake of despair.

On a candle lit, 
              summer night, 
I was born again, 
a new creation in Him. 
My birthstone, still the garnet,
                  surprised me with its beauty 
as the blood of Jesus washed me clean. 
 A light shined in the dark, red stone,
more beautiful than an emerald, diamond or ruby.
The garnet shined like a precious jewel 
                                  in the greenest grass, 
the color of the blood He shed for me,
a keepsake of love and grace.

Though each January I grow older,
in the garnet, I see beauty where before I saw none.
The smooth surface reflects the promise of eternity, 
in the presence of my Savior. 
And I am reminded of my eternal life.


By Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Eighth place in Flowers or Stones conteste