Avery E. Hitch: If You Could Bottle This Up

If You could bottle this up, what would You have?

Not a million dollars for sure.

If You could bottle this up, what good would it be?

It isn’t a miracle cure.

If You could bottle this up, what’d be the use?

Would it sit on Your shelf forever?

You could seal it and wrap it and keep it real close,

But why would You even bother?

If You could bottle this up, which I know You could do

Since You are God and all,

I don’t think it would advance Your kingdom’s work,

Or uphold men from a fall.

If You could bottle this up, it wouldn’t be for others;

But that’s no surprise to You.

It wouldn’t help world hunger or build a church,

Or fill a Sunday pew.

If You could bottle this up, it’d take lots of time,

A lifetime committed to me—

You’d have to be tireless and always right here,

Your eyes intent to see.

If You could bottle this up, it’d be quite the thing,

Though I’m not sure why You would.

I hear You saying You’d cherish it,

Though it isn’t always good.

If You could bottle this up, which You already do,

It’d be a bottle of pain, joy and fears,

A lasting memory kept close to Your heart—

A bottle of my tears.

Avery E. Hitch