"He offers his hand"

(June 26, 2010).

Exiting the glittering hall
Heatedly I scurry into the cool air
Alone at the last bell's ring

Cobblestones form the path
Slowing, I carefully select each step
So as to protect my treasured shoes
When I notice him across the lawn
He has followed me outside

Ashamed I turn away
Momentarily losing focus
My heel catches in the stones
Wobbling at first
Then hitting the ground

Wiping the dirt from my rags
Raising my head I see
He has rushed to my side
He offers his hand
Mortified I push it away

Jumping to my feet I hurry away
Tripping over once sparkling hem
Now stained and torn
Jogging, he offers his hand
Yet I refuse

Stumbling in one glass slipper
Inebriated by overwhelming disgrace
First slower steps, now faster
Again he offers his hand
I angrily slap it away

Falling, I cling to the railing
Attempting to regain my footing
The metal creeks, then suddenly snaps
Sending me tumbling to the ground
Gashing my leg on a jagged rock

Bloodied, tears streaming
Throbbing with the pain
He runs to my side
Gently touches my shoulder
Soothing my pain

Tenderly, on bended knee
He offers his hand
Embraces me

"Mounting the stair"

(Composed June 2010).

Starting on an upward trek
In the early afternoon
Joyful for the journey ahead
Excited to reach the heights
As I open the wooden door

Mounting the stair
Dark, narrow passageway
Steep and slim the steps
Clutching the ropes
I make my way up

Tiny slits of light
Beam between the stone
Offering a little guidance
Still leaving corners hidden
Cloaked in shadows

Stopping to regain my breath
I quickly glance below
It is a long way down
Yet looking up again
Quite a far bit to go

One hesitant step
Stair after stair
Stone upon stone
Spiraling higher
Suspended in shadow

Cold stone surrounds
Entombs me
Still I continue upward
Rising from the pit
Seeking the sky

Suddenly emerging
Bells ringing overhead
Sun brilliantly shining
Clouds billowing
Glorious light

Gazing at the splendor
Transcendent vision
Released from earth
At journey's end
Beatific delight

"White-knuckled"

(Composed in March 2010).

In silent fear I trembled,
Imagined terrors assembled;
Anxiety laid its vicious trap,
Courage it did mercilessly sap.

From dreaded snare You set me free;
With a mighty hand uplifted me!
Led wearied heart to joyfully sing,
Transported me on angels' wing.

To what can I compare Your love?
To ocean's depths or heavens above?
Where could I go You would not see?
What obstacle is too great for Thee?

Yet how quickly my mind wanders!
When upon corporeal it ponders,
Once beautiful, brilliant light,
Hidden in midnight's awful fright.

How soon do I forget Your grace;
Your mercies appear commonplace,
Drowned by engines' rumbling roar,
Dimmed by enticing sins once more.

O how I long for trust complete,
Truth revealing lies' deceit!
Mountains low and valleys level,
In Your glories we will revel.

For now, white-knuckled I'll remain,
Clutching to Your promise to sustain
'Til the Father it does please
And all declare on bended knees:

Glory to the Lamb who reigns
Sovereign over all our pains,
Washed in His bloody stains;
Faithful love alone remains!

"Red and white"

(In the days before Memorial Day 2010).

Rippling waves of red and white
Twinkling stars amidst navy sea
American flag flutters in the breeze
Proudly displayed from the heights
O'er Pentagon, Capitol dome,
She is a glorious sight!

Those who dreamed
Such freedom to create
Bowed the knee
Raised their rifle
Left family and friends
Sailing to distant lands

Crossing rivers, seas, continents,
Facing firing squads and torture pits,
Furious cavalry, fierce artillery
Hangman's noose, exotic disease,
Summer's heat and winter's snow,
Fire, bullet, rocket, torpedo.

California, Carolinas,
Alamo, Potomac's shore,
Lexington to Gettysburg,
Blood bought land,
Normandy and Vietnam,
Iraq and Afghanistan,

Losing limbs, minds, and lives
Broken bodies, broken homes
Mourning father, son, and brother,
Mother, daughter, sister, friend
All so that banner might wave
Above picket fence, prison cell.

"Taps"

(In memoriam, May 30, 2010).

Piercing bugle's mournful call
Her brave soldier he did fall
Unto him she bows her head
Remembering her fallen dead
Her bold colors blazing bright
Lowered with the coming night