I know an elderly father whose son (in his 20's) is dying of a rare
and incurable type of cancer.  I need some quotes from the Bible (Old
and/or New Testament) that express a parent's pain and suffering
resulting from (1) their child is dying, and/or (2) their child will
or has predeceased them. I want to use these quotations to provide a
small measure of comfort to the father.  I'm paying $5 for the Bible
research and $5 for the poem research.

I have found the following references and resources, which I sincerely
hope will enable you to give comfort to your friend.

Samuel 18: 33  “And the king was much moved, and went up to the
chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my
son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O
Absalom, my son, my son!”

Matthew 2:18  “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and
weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and
would not be comforted, because they are not.”

Genesis 37: 34-35 3  “And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth
upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons
and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be
comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son
mourning. Thus his father wept for him.”

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see
that, in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight
-- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters
of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you -- Kahlil
Gibran, The Prophet

http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/quote/txtreply.jsp?quote_id=1645
Full text of “Little Jim” by E Farmer

Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare) Father of Juliet on the death of his
daughter: http://shakespeare.about.com/library/blromeo_4_5.htm

Links to poems written by or for parents whose children have died:

1. http://www.thelaboroflove.com/prose/loss.html 

2. http://www.accnorwalk.com/~mom2nich/page2.html

3. This web site has some poems, and also other resources specifically
for fathers who have lost sons
http://members.tripod.com/~LifeGard/index-4.html

4. a site of quotations by a mother who lost her daughter
http://members.aol.com/momofalison/grief/quotesmain.html

5. A Christian resource site for bereaved parents, has poems and
Biblical quotations
http://www.valinet.com/~kevlynn/

Search strategy: 1. death, child, poems;  2. death, child, quotations 
  3. I consulted a hard-copy Bible concordance for various key words.

Thank you.  Very helpful. I will use some of this tonigh. It's amazing
how much grief and mourning is posted on the internet. Some of the
poems by grieving parents had a big impact on me, truly amazing.

These poems were written by other parents trying to cope with their
child's passing. I hope you find them useful.

1. 'Til We Meet Again
by Patricia Romer

Every fiber of my being cried out loudly for peace and rest,
But no comfort or solace came for the pain within my breast.
Hopelessness threatened my spirit, my soul felt darkness near,
How could I go on living, how could I live in constant fear?
Doubts and uncertainties began to creep into my daily life
Who could I trust, where was the strength to overcome this strife?
Slowly, I bowed my knees in prayer, to see if God really cared.
Somehow I summoned the courage, my soul to Him I bared.
Oh, Father, I entreated, please hear my tormented plea,
Send me consolation,let the peace you promise come over me.
All at once I felt his great compassion engulf my spirit whole,
His loving arms surrounded me, peace and comfort filled my soul.
Daughter, I haven't forgotten you, I've been waiting for your call,
So that I could assure and bless thee, and ease your heavy pall.
I promise you will meet again the son who left your side,
T'was the purpose of my mission; that's why I suffered and I died.
Do not become discouraged, or let doubt and fear creep in,
Keep on seeking and believing, and rstrain yourself from sin.
Cherish the memories you have collected from all the bygone years,
Most of them were happy, many were touched by tears.
Let those treasured memories sustain you, and let them stay a vital
part,
To help, comfort and inspire you - to help the healing of your heart.
FROM: http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/poem.cfm?articleid=2214

2. Today God Called You Home
by Marigrace Iodice

Today God called you home
Extended his arms & opened Heaven’s Door
I never knew emptiness
Nor have I ever cried like this before

I know your one of Heaven’s Angels
And all I have to do is look above
You're in a happier place now
No pain, no sadness…just eternal love.

You’re no longer suffering 
Your work on Earth is done 
God called you home 
A new life in Heaven has begun

But here on Earth
There's a new star in the sky 
Shining with your spirit 
To keep your memory alive

You’re one of Heaven’s Angels now
You’ll always be with me…near or far
And when I need your guidance
I’ll look above to that shining star

In my heart 
You'll always hold a special place
That no one else 
Could ever replace

If only I could have
That shining star again to touch
Just to let you know 
I love you so much!

But I don't have to tell you
For you have always known
That you'd be one of Heaven's Angels
For When God calls me home
FROM: http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/poem.cfm?articleid=2743

I have always found this one to be very comforting.

Your Song

Sometimes
sometimes at night
I sit and wonder
about your soul
& sometimes
sometimes I wonder
if you were set free
would you live in the mountains
and speak through the wind
will you whisk through my hair
and sometimes
you might be the rain
& mix with my tears
of memories we share.
I hope you remember
this life before death
I hope you remember
your life was worth living
I hope you enjoy
your life after life.

And sometimes
whenever it's raining
whenever the wind caresses my hair
I'll smile and know you are with me
and life will light up my eyes
and thank you
thank you for living.

-Les Alex