Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Prison of Want


relentless abuses and how I yield to them
inflicted on the back of me
mirror tells me I deserve them
lingers here my soul in the sorrow of want
aching need beyond the threshold of sanity

memories of peace
and how they haunt me
I wanna let go
I wanna quit

release the ties that bind me
cease the tethering of my heart
to a world destructive
push away the hands of greed

unspoiled self
have I so willingly forgotten

beneath the surface you sink
bind me with the sinews of my own flesh
slipping to a place where skin grows numb
and senses subdued
unless provoked by you

whisper to me something real
and the thoughts that spin my head
the off tempo voices  
my break-neck ramblings
are at once silenced

I want of rhythm
speak words
that reach into the marrow of me
beyond  the noise I am screaming
in these bondages I am dreaming

while the pushers are slipping
dollars through the doorway
offering yet another taste

I want of something real,
from origin of self the dark rhythm
of footsteps and heart beats
the invisible substance that
satiates my insatiability
an answer
the un-tethering of my heart

in silence will my revelries be
once the voice that spoke my soul into existence
prophesies over me
and at His feel I’ll lay in
the blissful surrender of self

it is the truth that sets one free

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Confession of a Fallen Follower


This poem was inspired during a recent sermon by my Pastor entitled Confessions. What would we say if we're honest? From the heart of this follower, my confession.

I am the converted one that follows
long ago laid entombed now risen savior.
My hungry soul in quiet ways allows,
the sin of weakness lending to waver.

My eyes see His glory, living Lord
though knee bows not in moments of anguish
lingering there my need creates a hoard.
Selfishness, I’m sure to lie in languish.

Rescue me, revive me, beyond this flesh,
inadequate I am to follow Him.
This tortured life I self inflict a mess.
Heart cries out, mercy, breathe on me again.

Mosaic life in it’s untold glory
Artisan hands are crafting my story

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Thoughtful Journey



the dew fresh morning
slips onto rose-petal-lips
awakening sensations
greeting with consciousness

life from slumber gently walking
bare feet on hardwood floors
steps beginning a forward launch of
my harpooned heart toward home

with guile tasting abolition
that comes from want of freedom
the willingness to sacrifice is rendered
for the redemption of us all

fresh in thoughts provoked by news
acknowledged with black ink on white
pursuing expression of thankfulness
subduing thoughts animalistic

wandering thoughts behind veiled eyes
seeking unhindered transcendence
of self beyond boundaries of flesh
in contemplative prayer discover truth

Vanity of Vanaties, all is Vanity,
and chasing after wind.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Tethered Heart


As a Mother I don’t expect to encounter a lifetime of angst when awaiting the arrival of my first child. This strange new traveler that would be brought through my body, cradled by bones, blanketed by flesh. In the quiet moments, with hands on stretched skin while she would turn beneath I would hope for a life grander than my own, and whispered silent prayers for health and safety. 

Our children are birthed into fallible arms, too weak to sustain a battle spanning their lifetimes or ours.

My eldest child turned seventeen years old this past month. Breaths away from the cultural standard of adulthood and I realize how much she still doesn’t know, more importantly, I realize how much I still have to learn. The influence of the world is not what we would have it be. In fact at times it is a full frontal assault to those of us that follow the way. I wish I could keep my daughter from the dark things of this world, but at best, I can prepare her.

Jesus, the light in the darkness, whispers to each of us, to Mother and Daughter to follow Him as he carves this unearthly path out of the darkness. I know many ways in which the world works, the seduction and empty promises an orphaned culture offers like a pimp, drawing you to a place where you are willing to sell the most precious thing you can posses, your intimacy with Christ. 

The world and all of its influence will not get smaller unless I come before the One who is bigger.

I am thankful that my heart is now tethered to Jesus, and it tugs when I am moving in a direction not toward him. I am a slave no longer to a life far from Him. My imperfect steps will bring me to my knees, and cause me to question my heart intentions. We’re fools if we think that we will escape the need for repentance and correction. We all have a choice to respond well to it, or build a fig-leaf-wall around our hearts or allow the clothing of Christ cover our woundedness, even if it is self-inflicted. My prayer for my children is that their hearts are tethered tightly to Him, and that their steps are drawn continually back upon the path that leads toward Him, and toward eternity.

Diving into His words surrounding the fleshly ears I hear though and them is the refuge from the world that I seek.

She’s going to college soon. She will have to make choices and accept real world consequences for her actions, not a simple grounding from the cell phone. I know that my daily influence will minimize, but my prayers will never cease. And that’s the only power we Mother have, the ability to surrender our Children to the parentage of God the Father when we are unable. He alone is the ever-present parent.

Allow me to pray along side you, as you parent your young ones.