The Harvest

The high grass brings comfort to souls that dwell in shadows

It creates curtains of loneliness that are quickly welcomed

As the sun travels the lengthy sky

Spectrums burn through the gaps

Exposing wounds of neglect and self pity

Healing winds seem to go unnoticed

As you can’t see a breeze, only its effects

Yet the green blades of past regrets bend and stretch with each passing moment

Allowing thoughts to salute the tears of yesterday’s sins

For the pasture will continue to be cultivated until the land is overused

And when that day comes the hope will be in the harvest

Confliction

You painted Your canvas under one sky

You set it to revolve between darkness and light

And created juxtaposition within each extreme

 

Your light, a harsh yet gratifying warmth

Your dark, a bullet-hole-lighted path

Then created us to be the victor in this confliction

Love (Kenya)

love (kenya)

The big round eyes of a baby looking back at you

The way a stranger hugs you for the first time

The smile of the woman who doesn’t understand a word you speak

The circle of support around you that have heard your darkest and bear it with you

The reuniting of friendships between peers and mentors

The twinkling stars in the sky that help light the darkness

The gentle breeze on warm days that provides relief

The outreach of one dry, rough hand to another

The wisdom that is spoken to your particular predicament

The shared moments of silence where words are no longer needed

The time in His presence where calm fills the atmosphere

The unexpected, instantaneous answers to prayers

The discovery of rest after an uneasy test of faith

The hope that a single sunrise conveys

The sigh of relief and sense of peace that comes with each sunset

The love of our Father day after day, disguised in pieces on our daily retreat

Questions

What can be written that has yet to be written?

What can be said that has been left unsaid?

If eyes cannot see and ears cannot hear, what can make the heart feel?

How do I make another’s heartbeat increase?

 

Which words will fit together to create emotions as songs do?

Will they sing along?

Will they dance to the rhythms of truth?

Will they delight in the freedom of inhibitions?

 

But when the music stops, will they continue to believe?

What if they cannot dance without having tangible evidence?

Where do we stand when this true trial begins?

How do we keep each other dancing in the quietness?

 

When there is no beat, no melody, no lyrics, do we attempt to sing acapella?

Do we shout to hit decibels that only amplifiers can reach?

Can just our syllables create unconscious reactions the way a driving bass drum can?

Or will our inflections evoke emotions the way a simple chord progression does?

 

What if this does work, is the impact just as grand?

If we attempt acoustic encouragement, can we still expect an electric response?

Why must it be so loud to stir our insides?

Why must it blind us before we attempt to see?

 

Can they not just imagine how great?

If it takes extremities, how strong is our faith anyway?

Is this why we write even if it has been written or reiterate inspired words and phrases?

So in hopes that the lyrics and rhythms are contagious enough for a change to spark?

Changelings

Gone is the comfort of yesterday

Our wings took flight to soar heights unreached

No longer confined to borders

Each changeling’s journey predestined for each to seek

We no longer can guess the path but are to trust the footprints set before us

He sets lamps at our feet as we take to the soil

Our hope is in Him who is our shepherd

He will guide us through pastures which will lead to questions

But He will also take us to the water to drink and become drunk with answers

As we hydrate with His love and gargle His goodness

We are reminded of our purpose

The changelings have been obedient to His calling

And will swallow and regurgitate each word He gives us