Going Home Poem by Royston Allen

Everyday the father longed to see
His lost son come back to the family
Looking out his heart would yearn
hoping each day his son would return

For the son had taken his inheritance
and left without a backward glance
To spend his great fortune having fun
was the intention of this youngest son

Wasting his time in riotous revelry
Living a life of sin and debauchery
Gained many friends through his wealth
Sang and danced and enjoyed himself

But then the time came to his dismay
when his money began to drain away
Then all his friends left him alone
To cope with life all on his own

Then a severe famine came his way
and he took a job to survive each day
Feeding the swine he wanted to fill
His empty stomach with the pig swill

Cold and miserable and full of dismay
He thought of his family so far away
'Here I am starving to death, ' he said
'Whilst my fathers servants still have bread'

So off he went this Prodigal Son
Famished, penniless and all alone
But the father saw him far away
and ran to meet him on the way

It brought to the father such delight
To see this great heart warming sight
For all the time the son had been away
The father looked out for him each day

'Father I've sinned and don't deserve
To be your son so I've come to serve
Forgive me and take me on I pray
To be your hired servant from this day'

'Kill the fatted calf and let us celebrate'
The father said because the news was great
'For my son has returned from the dead
Clothe him with the best robe, ' he said

But his brother could not understand
The reason why the party was so grand
'Father I've always been good, ' he said
'Why didn't you give me a party instead'

'Son all that I have belongs to you
You could have one when you wanted to
But this is my son who once was dead
and has now returned to me, ' he said

This wonderful parable that Jesus told
Speaks of a son returning to the fold
I too was just like that prodigal child
So lost and helpless and all beguiled

Then I went to the cross of the crucified
where Jesus greeted me arms opened wide
By His shed blood removed my disgrace
and held me in His loving embrace