Poetry, lyrics, other words and art…
As darkness gathers and builds
Joining the abyss of progressive emptiness
Satan plays a joyful song
Another notch is etched into the handle of his sickle
Shattered beyond repair is a heart left in the waste
Discarded as so many before
Never to be alone – but alone nonetheless
Restricted from the hope of true happiness
Gone is the gleeful innocence of yesterday
Replaced with the ever ebbing tide of sorrow
Adrift in a slow current
Until – even the darkness – wanes
The flowers are so pretty
But the scenery is blue
Tell me, how did I get here
Was there nothing I could do
I did my best to love
And tried to do all that I could
For those who needed more than me
I hope they understood
Now, looking down upon the petals
Red, white and azure blue
I only wish I had more time
Before my life was through
What’s happened to humanity
More and more I wonder why
The hate and visceral cruelty
Towards someone who’s different
Than you or I
If only they could stop and think
The other way around
They’d see that they are different too
Skin of olive, gold or brown
Inside there is a beating heart
With love of life and kin
Just like you and me, that is
We’re all the same within
It’s been going on as long as man
Has walked upon the earth
But there is One who paid the price
His name is Jesus
He gives us life
He gives rebirth
Turning and turning
Around and around
Looking for something
That cannot be found
Lost on the playground
Or out in the park
While walking the dog
Just after dark
Restless and queasy
I cannot find sleep
That ring was my lifeline
She’s still gone – I still weep
***************
His chest felt like it was sinking, untethered to anything, so too did his broken heart. Tears flowed in unfettered streams down his cheeks wetting his shirt. Sunlight glistened like tendrils of silver flecks within each drop. As for his heart… It was bereft of the only love it ever knew.
It was just an old shirt and worn out old hat
Folded up and sitting on a shelf
The last time I touched em
Was when I moved to this house
And that was a few years ago
***
She was so curious exploring all the time
As she wondered from room to room
Looking for treasures, at least in her mind
Hoping to find something new
***
I was sitting on the porch swing enjoying the day
Sipping on a glass of sweet tea
When my little granddaughter came laughing my way
Saying, “Papa… Look what I found! Do you see?”
***
And I thought that my heart would jump out of my chest
When I saw what granddaughter wore
It was all I could do to hold back the tears
While emotions constricted my core
***
She jumped on my lap and hugged me so tight
While the tears escaped down my face
She never knew her mother
But the resemblance was strong
And my mind went to another place
***
“Papa, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
She said as she hugged me again
I said, “These were your mother’s.”
As I pointed to the clothes
You remind me of her way back when
***
We sat for awhile
And listened to the birds
And watched as the wind blew the leaves
I said a silent prayer
And looked up to Heaven
Where I know my daughter has wings
Drip, drip, drip… “Honey, I think it’s still raining outside. It seems like a good morning to stay snuggled up under the sheets and blanket. It’s getting colder!” Drip, drip, drip… “I expect our sweet children will be bounding in here at any time taking flight to jump onto the bed and on top of us…” Drip, drip, drip…
“Is that thunder I keep hearing? It seems like it’s been going on forever!” Drip, drip, drip… “I’m sorry! What did you say? Everything seems muffled. I must be coming down with something.” Drip, drip, drip…
“Whew! Why is it getting so cold?” Drip, drip, drip… “Whoa! What the heck is that? Holy smokes that’s got to be the brightest light I’ve ever seen! Honey! Honey, do you see this? Honey?” Drip, drip, drip…
“Sargent! We can’t stop the bleeding. He’s been hit too many times.” Drip, drip, drip… “He’s been mumbling the whole time since I got here. I think he’s dreaming. I can’t make out what he’s saying, and I swear it looks like he’s smiling. Oh no! I can’t find his pulse.” Drip…
“Okay! Mark the time of death and hand me his dog tags. I think he had a family back home. He was one of the brave ones. God’s speed, soldier! Now, we need to get out of here.”
From the cold depths of my hollowed soul
I cry
With my heart in tatters and filled with rage
I cry
My ears ring with loathsome sounds of tragedy
And I cry
Where is there kindness in my world
Who will save me
Who will comfort me – When I cry
I now know that my God loves me
Because he sent you here to free me
You’re the only one to see me where I am
People passing by turn from me
Walking quickly to avoid me
Never ever recognizing where I am
But there is hope on my horizon
Just as sure as the sun is rising
And now I know that there is hope for one more day
(Chorus)
See me, oh see me
Wrap your arms around me
Hold me close to let me know that I’m okay
Free me, oh free me
From the world that never sees me
Help me get back upon my feet and walk away
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you hit bottom that is all
You find there’s no safe place to fall
So, you just close your eyes and pray that it will end
Losing all hope is way too easy
Can’t I find someone to see me
To open up my eyes and search the world again…
They say there’s love that’s all around us
But I can’t seem to find it here
How do I look through heavy laden eyes of pain
There was a time that I was strong
But now that time is so long gone
Brother won’t you help me find my way again
(Repeat chorus)
See me, oh see me
Wrap your arms around me
Hold me close to let me know that I’m okay
Free me, oh free me
From the world that never sees me
Help me get back upon my feet and walk away
Help me get back upon my feet and walk away
######################
Kevin Parish 
