Tiny Tree

Tiny Tree
4/23/13

Tiny tree,
so thin and slender,
you're but one among millions.
Yet your trunk is strong,
deeply rooted,
never to be shaken.
When storms arrive
and threaten to destroy,
your foundation is firm, unwavering.
Although you sink
in the shadows of others
barely visible,
your leaves are life,
your fruit is fresh,
your colors so captivating.
Tiny tree,
so thin and slender,
you're but one in a million.

Before the Town Awakes

Before the Town Awakes
4/23/13

All is still, no stirring yet;
the moon is taking a bow.
The night owl hoots while the rooster prepares
to announce a brand new hour.
Birds awaken and chatter with cheer;
a new day has begun.
Night is over; silence is met
by the voice of the rising sun.
Darkness fades and floats away
carrying yesterday's mistakes.
Light comes forth birthing forgiveness and hope,
all before the town awakes.

Perfect Day

Perfect Day
4/21/13

It was the perfect day today,
but not because it was sunny
or because we had no plans
and rested and did nothing.

We did laundry, ate leftovers;
nothing luxurious did occur.
But in my mind, it was perfect,
and my aching heart was stirred.

We laughed, we dreamed,
we may have even cried.
It was so perfect, my soul once more
began to feel alive.

We didn't win the war;
there's still so much pain to go through,
but today was a perfect day
because I spent the day with you.

Waiting on My Sunrise

Waiting on My Sunrise
4/18/13

It's dark and cruel, black and grim;
the night, it never dies.
Days and weeks and months go by
without a trace of light.

Familiar shadows lurk and creep;
they know me well by now.
I'm desperate to see a tint of green
at this eternal midnight hour.

Yet there is a promise I hold fast to;
it breathes peace and life.
Deep in this pit, hope flickers faintly
while I'm waiting on my sunrise.

And when it enters my midnight sky
painting every shade and hue,
Redemption, grace, freedom, and joy
will declare all things new.

Twinkling Star

Twinkling Star
4/16/13

Twinkling star
miles away
you're but a tiny speck.
Yet through the distant, deep expanse
your light, though dim, breaks through
into this evening sky,
a sparkle in the shadows.
Your subtle shine
sparks hope, an ounce,
that darkness can live no longer.

Maze of Sorrow

Maze of Sorrow
4/14/13

Blackness surrounds me; I reach out to find
the way in which to travel.
I spot a flame, a flicker of hope
and carefully proceed to follow.
A glimpse of light; my heart leaps forward
in hopes of finding freedom.
But the flame has vanished; I turned a corner
in a maze of deep, dark sorrow.

Even Though It's Sunny Out

Even Though It's Sunny Out 
4/13/13

The sun is bright and shining
on this perfect, playful day.
Yet on my face and in my heart,
a smile is miles away.

The clouds are gone, the breeze is fresh;
branches burst with blooms.
But my soul is aching and tired of replaying
the living nightmare that consumes.

So even though it's sunny out,
and new life is breaking through,
It's overcast in my heart and soul;
sadness is raining true.

To Sevier and Back

To Sevier and Back
4/13/13

There is a path I often take
when I need to escape.
It takes me to a place of peace,
a refuge for the weary.
At this place I reaquaint myself
with Creator and creation.
And remember that my sorrows are
temporary and fleeting.
This path is worn, traveled by many
seeking safety from life's attacks.
So follow me, and we'll go
to Sevier and back.

It's Not Fair

It's Not Fair
4/11/13

It's not fair the cheater wins
not fair the greedy gain
or that the widow cries herself to sleep.
It's not fair the careless laugh
while the careful worry sick
or that the orphan knows not of his father.
It's not fair the wicked prosper
not fair that evil spreads
or that the baby has no chance of breath.

It's not fair that I can hope
not fair that I can dream
or that His love reaches down for me.
It's not fair my life is spared
not fair I have a future
or that His grace has paid my debt.
It's not fair I am forgiven
not fair I am washed clean
or that the pain He endured set the captive free.

The Music of the Night

The Music of the Night
4/10/13

Do you hear it?
Listen now
our faithful friend returns.
Stillness sinks in,
noise is drowned out
by the music of the night.

Its melody is silence

Its harmony is peace

Its rhythm is quiet

Its chorus is release

Turn your ear
lend your heart
to this still, soft serenade.
It's time to rest
and sing along
to the music of the night.

How Long?

How Long?
4/8/13

How long will it take
for this pain to ease?
How long to breathe again?
How long must I dwell
in this deep darkness?
How long to feel again?
"Time will heal," the saying goes,
the numbness soon will fade.
And scars will form
and heal and mend,
yet the memory will remain.

How long will it take
for this pain to ease?
How long to live again?
How long must I wait
to be fearless, unafraid?
How long to dance again?
Time's constant care heals and mends,
the numbness drifts away.
Yet the fading pain
lingers and lasts,
and the memory will remain.

You See Me

You See Me

4/6/13

When I'm down in the valley

And darkness dominates

When I'm lost in the forest

With no sign of escape

You see me. 

When I'm drowning in the sea

And can't come up for air 

When I'm blazing in the fire

Left in miserable despair

You see me. 

When the pain is so thick

And the sorrow too deep

When the locks hold captive 

What I long to release 

You see me. 

When I look up in wonder

And cry out in grief

When your gentle signs and wonders

Remind me I believe

You see me. 

Spring, Why Must You Be Shy?

Spring, Why Must You Be Shy?
4/4/13

Spring, why must you be shy
to show your face again?
This rain is dim, dreary, dull
it's sinking too deeply in.

Grey, ash, stone, and slate,
oh, Spring, where are your blues?
My soul longs, yearns for such
please come and paint your hues.

Our soil is tilled, rocks dug out
the weeds are ripped and pruned.
We're beat and worn and longing for
the blooms and fruit of June.

While we wait, we'll sit and watch
the hands of time go by.
We'll barely notice your subtle arrival
a sunrise sneaking into the sky.

How Many Tears Have We All Inside?

How Many Tears Have We All Inside?
4/2/13

How many tears
have we all inside?
It seems an endless supply.
For I shed one, then twenty-nine
today, ten-thousand I cried.
When your heart is broken
and your wounds are torn open
and you're left empty and afraid.
Your tears will fill
and faithfully flow
without words expressing
the sadness of your soul.