The PoetVangelist

I'm sorry, Lord, I wont scream tonight I won’t jerk or fall or sway. I’ll just talk to You quietly, if that’s alright; I hear You best this way. Forgive me, Lord, that I can't see Why my tongues should be heard by another. It’s mystery- straight to Your ear from me And it’s private- even when saints gather. Pardon me if I sit and reflect Instead of praying once again For what I’ve asked and believe I’ll get: Accept this faith, small as a grain. Should I not clap or dance or weep, Should I not do as others do: My stillness is a faith-filled leap It’s heartfelt; so it’s real to You. As long as You accept me, Lord, I come. My worship isn’t much of a show But if it’s to Your taste, I’ll look to none; Each to his faith, to each his own.

I stand back to admire My masterpiece But it’s far from what I desired For on the ground are several leaves That still belong up high. When I started on you I thought I knew Just what you ought to be So I pruned and cut- Went at it for hours, but You’re still as imperfect as me. I’m no gardener I’m not fit to man the tools So when I take it up To shape you up I make of myself a fool. Just like you, I’m only a sprout In His beloved garden. It’s not for me to figure out How straight you should be standing. The fact He’s placed me by your side Gives me no power to decide What size or shape your form should take I’m just a plant, for goodness sake. Growing us takes such time and care Only the Son can get us there. The best I can do Standing by you Is hold you up in time You’re bent over in pain Cover your leaves with mine Shield you from the rain. It’s our wise, seasoned Gardener Planted two such different species to...

Thank You- for this chance to step outside It’s getting too crowded in my mind; This mind consumed with imagery- flashes Thoughts; fantasy- an open box of matches To light a flame I know so well I cannot yet contain Dear God, what I wouldn’t give to make that choice again. If I could have seen it as standing over my grave begging for a shovel, I might not have said yes to that first romance novel Or the hundreds after that- I wouldn’t be suffering the aftermath Of those beats and lyrics And music video gimmicks: Beguiling visuals, sexy songs Chiselled chests, kisses, thongs And the sex I watched on silver screens Long before I understood what it even means. True; in the first place, it shouldn’t be televised But what if I had done the right thing and averted my eyes? No choice but to redirect the accusing finger Cuz I’m still watching those scenes I know will linger And I should know better now I’m older ...

I do not love you- yet For if it is the feeling, I have felt this way before; Countless times Many I cannot recollect Yet love is too potent to forget Love is not a mood or a mindset It’s not a heady rush Love is no accident Its climax is not a crush It’s not something to fall in; feel or merely know Love is a lifetime A seed that is sown In two separate hearts; yours and my own Which in time intertwine into one single vine And so Love is only love when it is full-grown. I do not love you, no I have a long way to go But baby I am ready To live this journey For love is not a destination we reach It’s the lessons we learn and teach Along the way to each Other And so before you become my lover I need to find in you a brother And that takes time And joy and sadness Pain and gladness And many beautiful and bittersweet things And eventually, it takes a wedding ring And the sacred vows that we would share But Baby, love doesn’t...

For E and F on your special day Love is a beautiful thing; but even more so When it’s between people we love and know Should marriage be likened to a play, You’re scriptwriters as from today; And much like we do characters in theatre We, your audience, wish you happily ever after. So write a story that glorifies God; A story that keeps your audience enthralled. Fill it with loving, tender romance. Make the rest of us long for our own chance. Create memories: joyful and fun- We’ll celebrate with you for each one. Write in lots of humour too: You know we’re happy to laugh with you. Should misadventure do its bit; We’ll all mature as you learn from it May your marriage be filled with adventure; discovery And may everyday be a climax to your story .

I long for You A lone stones echoes; echoes through The twisted tunnel of my mind: Until You come, I’m dead inside I need You I reach for You; but no contact It seems You’ve vacated my soul And grown these thorns to keep me back I’m climbing up a topless hole I’m drowning Wave after wave, self-will drags me under And my battered eyes keep searching For a mast on the horizon: Your Salvation You come In power and grace To free me from my fate To fill me up; haul me out; throw me a lifeline But wait! I’m not quite ready to be saved. I’m here: this tunnel, this hole, this sea A predicament desperate as desperate can be I called You; yes I begged for rest I yearn to be renewed, reborn, redeemed It’s a desperate wish of- a part of me Don’t just barge in; don’t You see You’re crowding me out of my space This tunnel may be hollow and lonely But still, to me, it’s home; like no other place. I’ve stored up so much treasure here: ...