Sometimes it is hard
to be around You, Lord,
because You see right through me.
The caverns of my heart
are no secret to You.
There is no hiding,
no pretending to be fine.
The layers of my defences
are shed like an onion skin,
peeled by Your deft hands.
In this raw state,
the tears come
and I weep to think
how much You love
each person
and how much
it must pain You
when they turn away
and refuse the shelter of Your wings.
Sometimes when life is hardest
and we feel the need to draw our swords
and brandish a flaming torch
it is precisely the moment
we need to put them away
and instead wrap our hearts
in silken handkerchiefs
to cushion their fall
They may be broken
but with gentleness
perhaps they won’t shatter
With no words
to really console
your broken heart
I can only offer
mine
What fears are hiding underneath
That polished power suit?
What memories shake the core
Of the person you’re jealous of?
What past scars grate on the heart
Of the one you don’t understand?
Not knowing,
Can you give me any reason
For not treating each person
With gentleness?
They say don’t judge a man
Until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes,
But I think it goes deeper;
Don’t judge him until you’ve walked in his heart,
A place you can only enter
By love.
I love the gutsy optimism of this poem about fighting darkness with the weapons of love and truth. I’m inspired by the idea that hope springs eternal and that forgiveness is strength because it frees us from the chains of hatred that ensnare us. We can fight a battle of integrity and love, remaining true to ourselves and refusing to stoop down to the level of those who would bring us down.
In fact I pretty much like all of the poems on this blog, from inspiring ones about the beauty of creation, to happy ones about his sweet wife, and powerful poems about the struggle of faith, so I thought I’d share it with you tonight. Nicodemas writes great First Nations micro fiction as well, and is great at responding to comments if you leave one. Enjoy!
There is something very special
about seeing cherry blossoms
by starlight
Their delicate sweetness
is made more poignant
by the surrounding darkness
This poem is dedicated to the children of my close friend, who recently suffered an early miscarriage, shortly after the joy of discovering she was expecting another little one. They feel quite sure he was a boy, and have named him Joseph, just like my little Josephine. I’m sure they’re playing together right now.
As Dr. Seuss says, “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” and there is no one too small to be honoured here in Crazy Land, so here is a little poem, with love.
Little Joe Plays Peek-A-Boo
Little Joe plays peek-a-boo,
he pops up his smiling head
just long enough to blow a kiss
then to his heavenly bed
He snuggles down
his golden crown
of angel’s softest thread
sweetly woven and gently placed
upon his tiny head
And in between his pleasant dreams
he gazes down at you
and smiles to see
bravely carrying on
the hearts who love him true
And if the tears come
now and then
don’t worry or feel shame
your little brother gathers them
like precious jewels
and with them writes your name
Speak to him softly
he hears you
oh so close though he seems far
for between hearts that love each other
there is no gate or bar
Your Joseph keeps the windows open
and the latch upon the Heavenly door
is open ever ready
for when you all come Home
once more
How beautifully the day dies
with slow and solemn gracefulness
Each cherished moment
revealing golden glory
Day taking her time
to say her wordless goodbye
And blushing gently
as her heart melts
into the evening sky
Just East Of Crazy Land 