An Ode to Samir Ibrahim Salman

When I began this year of my Lord,
Samir Ibrahim Salman,
Was a name unkown to me.
His untimely death in Bethlehem's
Holy Manger Square,
Reminded me of Donne's classic words,
"When the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Samir was a Christian Palestinian,
Living in a predominantly,
Jewish and Moslem land.
His daily ringing of The Nativity Church Bell,
Was to Samir,
A wonderful fulfillment,
Of His Lord's redemptive plan.

Why do I write this testimonial ode?
To someone I have never met,
And did not know.
Samir's witness,
Of a living and dying sacrifice,
In the service of our Lord,
Was a golden story worth being told.

Though Salman was shy, he was
Known and loved by all.
Samir tolled the bells at the Church
For a Mass, a Wedding, and a funeral,
This man who lived alone,
Had a different chime for each call.

If I could travel to Bethlehem today,
I would ring the Church Bell
For Samir Ibrahim Salman
One Thousand Times!
Alas, I can not go --
May this simple poetic ode,
Ring loud and clear!
My One Thousand Memorial Chimes.