Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Where is that place where the sidewalk ends and peace begins? It is the peace of Christ in which the grass grows soft and white, the sun burns crimson bright and the moon-bird rest post flight.
It is the peace of Christ beyond smoke blown black, through darkly winding and bending streets and past asphalt flowers.
It is the peace of Christ that measures our walk along the path where chalk arrows go. For the peace of Christ marks where the sidewalk ends… Children mark and know that place. It is that peace in Christ that children have not forgot.
The peace of Christ they have cast their lot. Where that peace ends and the sidewalk begins is that place where peace departs its human face.
May the Peace of Christ be with you.
Across the street from our seminary apartment was a sign that said “Sidewalk Ends.” (Did you ever see it?) Every time Henry and I walked to Posse or to the Crown, we would excitedly say….”This is it! This is where the sidewalk ends!” It never got old. Now I need a sign that says, “Peace begins.”…. Beautiful words. You are one creative dude. Derek has a link to your site on his Zimbabway blog, but it is wrong…he added an extra “e” in the web address. Thinking of you and Mere and you get ready to head out of L-Town. -Em
The peace of Christ keeps our hearts..thanks for sharing