As The Rising Sun

I wrote this poem this morning as I was watching the sunrise for the first time in a long time from my roof. I tried to describe what I was seeing but then I thought of Psalm 19 and decided my words couldn't do it justice, so I put David's words about the heavens to rhyme. The rest flowed and seemed to fit so I kept most of the Psalm and I made it my prayer as I watched God's painting unfold before my eyes. 

Wisps of clouds drift slowly with the gentle breeze across the sky,

Birds sing gladly to welcome the morning and their song rises high--

High above the trees and beyond golden linings of the clouds.

Above starry space and galaxies beyond their praise resounds,

And I know I am in your presence.

The glow in the east brightens and above the skyline, the sun!

A sight of joy and wonder, another day where light has won.

Just behind me swirls the blue where night flees;

Tiny sparrows fly above me toward the sun on the misty breeze,

And I become aware of your greatness.

The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies His handiwork!

Day after day and night after night, knowledge and speech pour forth.

No tongue, no speech, no language exists where their praise is not heard;

Their voice travels all the earth, the words the ends of the world.

All of creation is singing Him praise!

In the vast Heavens, the Almighty pitched a tent for the sun

Which is like a bridegroom ascending a hill from his pavilion.

Like a champion rejoices to run his course, he rises

From one end of the heavens he makes his circuit through the skies.

Nothing is hidden from his rays. 

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD that give joy to joyless hearts are right.

The commands of the LORD are radiant that give light to the eyes. 

The fear of the LORD endures forever.

These are more precious than gold refined by fire, than fine gold; 

They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my soul

As pure as the morning and as joy-full as the rising sun,

Be pleasing in Your sight, my Redeemer. 

See You In a While

It's still sinking in that you are leaving

And I expect it will be for sometime, 

But we say goodbye just like any other day

Because we know we'll see you in a while.

Stay safe on your adventure;

God knows it is a sacrifice.

Your other world will be happy to see you,

But we know we'll see you in a while

Every day you're not with us

Will seem like a lifetime,

But we'll keep you in our prayers

And we'll see you in a while.

You've all been a joy to get to know,

And we'll remember those wonderful times.

It may be time we let you go,

But we know we'll see you in a while.

ESCAPE

When words escape me 

And thoughts seem quelled

As you hang in the balance

Between Heaven and Hell

Know that I feel your pain

When the fire burns

When you see the light

But somehow can't cross the bridge 

To get away from the night

Know that I'm here, praying

I've felt that fire

Been on that bridge

I've seen that light

And have been hidden from it

And I know what it is to doubt

When the boards burn quick

And fall into the black

And the demons shriek 

As they start to attack

Hang onto your Way out

There's always a lifeline

That He provides

But you won't find it

If you look inside

You must search outside yourself

'Did you know, helpless soul

It is within your reach?

Oh you of little faith

I will set you free!

I will send you help

You may stumble and fall

But Hope lifts you high

I will give you wings

So that you can fly

And I will be your Strength

You will soar on wings like eagles

Above the hopeless night

You will laugh at the darkness 

And leave the demons behind

Only let Me be your Escape'

~~~~~~~~

He gives strength to the weary

  and increases the power of the weak.

30 

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

31 

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

It Was Me

(Inspired by "There Was No Thief" by Relient K)

For a time I thought they couldn't separate us 

They would try and try, each time not getting through

But then one day, I found us separated

And it was not them; it was me

That lost you

I'd be surprised to see you ever coming back

And I understand after what I've done to you

You left it up to me to find a way to get to you

And there'e just one last thing that I have to say

As we reflect on the mess of all of this we made

It was selfishness that made me push you away

I was not read and I led you on anyway

And this is the redo

You're starting brand new

Going in the opposite direction

And I'm so lost

I gave you up

On what cloud is the silver lining?

And there's just on last thing that I have to say

As I reflect on the mess of all of this we made

It was. selfishness that made me push you away

I wasn't ready and I led you on anyway

I'd be surprised to see you ever coming back...

Debbie

That single seat in front of me

No longer to be filled -- empty,

Now the symbol of a loss

My mind can't comprehend.

My heart feels for those she loved--

I know one of them.

And I think to myself the pain I would feel

If it were one of my closest friends...

They filed in, faces I did not know,

And gently broke the news

Yet the gentleness was overcome

By the great weight of the blow.

When they first told us, she was but a student,

A faceless name, detached, unexposed.

But they pointed to her seat, and now

She was someone that I know.

Lingering questions, some asked, some still:

"When did this happen?"

When did we know?"

How could someone do something like this?"

Ring in my ears and sink down.

I think of her friend -- the empty seat beside me, his.

My eyes, wide, never leave her seat

As emotions swell and the tears sting.

I feel like running out of the room, but I am frozen.

Hiding behind the curtain of hair

That falls around my face,

I vaguely hear the sentiments spoken.

But my mind is only half there,

Listening to, "We are here if you want to ask questions."

The rest of me tries to make sense

Of the reason behind it, why she was chosen.

They leave us with their number

And give one last glance of sympathy.

But I keep thinking to myself

It's not enough for those who knew her.

All these motions feel so very empty.

Who'll answer the questions of those she treasured?

Two gaping holes now need to be filled.

She did not die alone; she died with her mother.

Once so young, now she's just a memory,

A heartbeat of life and great potential,

Her face, that of joy and innocence.

I only knew her name, but she was loved by many.

I feel I missed out on something special.

The loss of this girl on our hearts is heavy,

But her life is something that we will remember.

We grieve with those who lost you, Debbie.

~~~~~~~~~~~

This poem was written in memory of Debbie, a girl who used to sit in front of me in Math. When I went into class today, three counselors came in and told us that she and her mother had been shot in a home invasion and had died Monday night. This was hard news for all of us to hear.  Even my teacher said she had been crying all day yesterday after she found out. To think that the girl of only eighteen that we saw on Thursday is now dead.... If you are reading this, please pray for her family and friends -- especially her father, who is left without a wife and daughter...

 "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him..." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Sleep Alone

Quiet in sweet darkness

At the end of the day

Thoughts of you had vanished 

Until I was on my own

Listless words I utter

And in the shadows hang

I curl up in the blackness

But don't want to sleep alone

Soft breeze wafts in, silent

The coolness makes me shiver

I pull close soft blankets

Until my heart beats calm

Feeling solitary

I could cry a river

If my wish were a companion

I wouldn't sleep alone

One more time I lie here

Another wish in vain

The silence is louder

But words always console

If I can't have your presence

I wish for sounds of rain

Or dreams that bring me closer

So I don't sleep alone

Past Future

I still dream
When I listen to our song
But now I think
It's just been too long
I always thought
It was too good to be true
 I know I was right
Because now I've lost you

Something happens to a person
When they sit and dream of endless things
That could have been
Something happens to a person
When deep inside
The believed dreams could come true
But have had to watch their's die

It's hard to say goodbye
When you never thought you'd have to
When all of a sudden
You hopes collapsed from under you
It's hard to say goodbye
When you've been waiting so long
Hoping and dreaming for a day that will never come

How did this happen?
We said it never would
I thought we were above this
You said we were too
Must I kiss goodbye
The hopes I've had so long?
And lower my expectations
After I saw you fit them all?

Am I left to sit and wonder
Left here to think alone
About what could have happened
And what could have gone wrong?
Maybe I deserve to pine
About days long past
To think those same memories that now make me cry
Were the ones that used to make me laugh

I think of different things now
When I listen to our song
I think of rejection
And days spent alone
I can no longer look ahead
To past hopes and unfulfilled dreams
No I can only look back
On a future that will never be

Caught -- A Hard Place

Heart stopped when she saw you--
Tongue became dry.
Your face brought back the memory
Of all those tears she once had cried.

A knot caught in her throat,
And she could not stop shaking.
She almost turned and walked away
To stop her fragile heart from aching,

But she stood her ground
And looked you in the eye--
She will see you as a stranger now
Whenever you stop by.

Your face no longer brings
That flooding of relief;
Instead it grabs her with intense fear
And takes all her inner peace.

She does not know
How she should treat you anymore.
The memories and restrictions
Still resonate within her, sore.

And though she cannot bring herself
To tell you to stay away for good,
She wishes deep inside her soul
Her eyes would tell you that you should.

And now, you see, she has to choose
Between you and what her Father wants.
Why do you keep doing this to her?
This is the last pace she wants to be caught.

Dawn by Sarah Tucker

This is so beautiful I had to share it. Many good reminders in here from a young heart of faith. 

The window in front of me
Out of it what do I see
A tree a bird a flower the grass
Outside the window and its glass
I see the sky of navy blue
Yellow and red as the sun shines through
The bird perched upon an arm
Of the tree as the suns charm
Shines through its leaves, the wind blows through
And now all I want to do
To sit in the tree and feel the breeze
To be so calm and so at ease
To hear my God say to me
You are my child, with me you’ll be
Forever in eternity
My child I am the only key.
I love you more than you do know
For you I made myself so low
To die for you so you could live
For now your job is to forgive
As I have done for you my dear
Let me cast out all your fear
I’m waiting child for you to come
To me for everything, don’t become
Distant from me, you need me child
Without me you are too wild
I can be your place of rest
Come to me when you are stressed
Sleep in me, I am your peace
When the heartache will not cease
I am your joy your faithful friend
I will love you to the end
So when I sit there in that tree
And think of everything I see
I’ll see my God come with the dawn
And with the Lord my pain is gone.