If the Dead Could Talk

 

 

If only the dead could talk

What would they say?

Would it mean anything to us?

Would we change our way?

 

There’s a case in the Bible

With which we are au fait,

In which one begged for his brothers

From hell where he lay.

 

He was in fiery torment

And asked to warn his kin,

They were living wretched lives

And would end up like him.

 

They refused to listen

To the prophets of the day

And with ears nigh dysfunctional,

Went their own way.

 

If only the dead could talk

What would they say?

Would we listen to the departed

And change our way?

 

What about our parents?

What would they say?

Would they speak any differently

From back in their day?

 

What about our friends

Whom we loved so dearly?

Would we give a listening ear

And be really sorry?

 

Or, would we like many

Refuse to even listen

And join the ever-growing throng

Incarcerated in prison?

 

 

If only the dead could talk

They wouldn’t be dead

But like our blessed, risen Saviour

They’d be alive instead.

 

But the dead cannot talk,

Neither can they see

Thus, while life is yours today,

Be the best you can be.

 

Talk to an errant one today

To set his path straight,

To express his trust in Jesus Christ

And to love and not hate.

 

For there’s life after death

But only to the saved,

Meaning the born-again believer

Who from sin was raised.

Stewart Russell © April 8, 2025