God’s Garden Poem

“God’s Garden” by Dorothy Frances Gurney is a poem that resonates deeply with themes of divine providence, the inevitability of death, and the consolation of an afterlife. This poignant piece is often recited at funerals and memorial services, providing comfort to those mourning the loss of loved ones.

God’s Garden Poem

God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine.’

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

Structure and Form

“God’s Garden” adheres to a simple yet profound structure, composed of several quatrains with a consistent rhyme scheme of AABB. This regular pattern contributes to the poem’s soothing and contemplative tone, making it accessible and resonant for audiences during times of grief. The use of a consistent meter and rhyme helps to convey a sense of order and peace, mirroring the poem’s message about the divine order and the serenity of God’s heavenly garden.

Themes Explored in the Poem

A central theme of “God’s Garden” is the notion of divine providence. The poem begins with God looking around His garden and finding an empty place, which He decides to fill with a soul from earth. This depiction suggests a benevolent, all-knowing deity who orchestrates events according to a divine plan. The imagery of God lifting the tired soul to rest emphasizes the mercy and compassion of the divine, portraying death not as an end but as a transition to a better state.

Gurney subtly addresses the inevitability of death through the depiction of the earthly life as full of suffering and hardship (“He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain”). The poet suggests that death is a natural progression, a necessary step to alleviate suffering and achieve eternal peace. This portrayal can be a source of comfort to those who have lost someone after a period of illness or hardship, reinforcing the idea that their loved ones are no longer in pain.

The garden metaphor is central to understanding the poem’s depiction of the afterlife as a place of eternal rest and peace. Gardens are traditionally associated with growth, beauty, and tranquility, making this imagery effective in conveying a paradise-like setting. The repeated assurance that “God’s garden must be beautiful” serves to comfort the bereaved with the thought that their loved ones are in a place of sublime beauty and eternal peace.

Imagery and Symbolism

The imagery in “God’s Garden” is rich with symbolic meaning. The garden itself is a symbol of paradise and a state of grace. The action of God lifting the soul into this garden suggests a transformation from a state of earthly weariness to heavenly rest. Additionally, the closing of the “weary eyelids” symbolizes the end of suffering and the beginning of eternal peace, further reinforced by the phrase “Peace be thine.”

Psychological and Emotional Impact

The poem is crafted to offer solace and consolation to those who are grieving. Its gentle and reassuring tone helps to alleviate the fear and pain associated with death. By framing death as a return to God’s perfect garden, the poem helps to shift the focus from loss to the celebration of the deceased’s transition to a better place.

Moreover, the shared experience of reading or hearing the poem in a communal setting, such as a funeral, can provide collective comfort and a sense of solidarity among those who mourn. The poem’s acknowledgment of shared grief (“It broke our hearts to lose you”) validates the feelings of the bereaved, while also offering a hopeful perspective on death.

Final Thoughts

“God’s Garden” by Dorothy Frances Gurney is more than just a funeral poem; it is a profound expression of the human condition in relation to divine providence, the inevitability of death, and the promise of eternal peace. Its simple structure, resonant imagery, and comforting themes provide a source of strength and consolation to those grappling with the loss of a loved one.

Through its gentle verses, the poem encapsulates the profound truth that in death, as in life, we are never truly separated from the love and mercy of the divine. The beauty of the garden metaphor lies not only in its promise of peace but also in its reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death, suggesting that every end is also a beginning.