The Valley of the Shadow of Death

 "Tis up there, just ahead,

      deep down it goes, 

        no sun touches it, 

          just black darkness,

            so deep no one sees,

the darkness of the Valley.

 

To it no adventurers go,

    they seek another way,

      a Valley of no return,

        yet, a Valley all must go,

          the Valley of the Shadow

of Death its most common name.

On this side stands a Sentinel,

    a Shepherd some have said,

      in one hand a protecting rod, 

        a shepherd's crook in the other,

           keeping safe those who wander

from the unseen path in the Valley.

On the other upward side,

    a Light begins to shine,

      a Light that finally prevails,

        against all shades of darkness, 

          till nothing is left to see, 

but the bright shining glory of eternity.