Out Of The Fires Of Hell
To my co poets - this is in response to "I lay down my pen"
Out of the fires of hell (7/14/12)
I have pulled myself up out of the fires of hell
Where pain, sorrow, depression, lost faith do dwell.
I recall as I closed my eyes all I could see
Was the devil staring back at me.
His eyes were bloodshot red - cause on my fears he had fed.
The hideous laugh bouncing around in my head
I thought for sure that I was dead.
They pulled me down when I was weak
And with their strength I could not compete.
All four of them were working to keep me down
When I saw HIS LIGHT, HIS EYES, HIS CROWN
It was the LORD beckoning me to him
And seeing this - I knew I'd win.
His hand came down and I grabbed it and held on tight
Closed my eyes and prayed with all my might.
I rose out of those flames completely intact
And I knew there would be no turning back.
The devil like the lion would wait for its prey
And thought with certainties he would get his way
But my LORD had something to say.
You had caught me at a time of weakness and despair
And thought that my life with you I'd share
But my inner spirit saw the guiding light
And I fought with all my might.
The LORD had heard my plea, and responded
And I rose out of the fires with a smile on my face
poem by Louis Rams
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Related quotes
Psalm 137
I went into the world and it broke me down
And the lord of this world said " now where's your crown"
And the truth of it was I had nothing left inside
I had no where to run, I had no where to hide
Somewhere along the path the night had stole my song
I had danced with the devil and right became wrong
He had gouged out my eyes and I could not see
I had hung my heart on the weeping willow tree
And in the blackness of the night I stumbled along
Abandoned and broken and without my song
The devil he danced and shrieked with delight
He was lord of the darkness he was lord of the night
I was tortured and tormented night and day
I was chained and whipped on my hell-bound way
And my tormentors they never gave me a moment of respite
As they tore at my flesh by day and by night
I cried out to God and He said "Enough"
He came and redeemed me, He redeemed me with Love
And the devil and my tormentors they all did flee
From Christ my Lord on Calvary
He raised me up and He replaced my heart
That was His plan, right from the start
And by His mercy my wrong became right
And He gave me back my song in the night
I once was blinded and now I could see
What the Lord my God did on Calvary
And from that day on I walked in love
Redeemed by my Jesus who came down from above.
poem by Frank McEleny
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Heriot's Ford
"What's that that hirples at my side?"
The foe that you must fight, my lord.
"That rides as fast as I can ride?"
The shadow of your might, my lord.
"Then wheel my horse against the foe!"
He's down and overpast, my lord.
You war against the sunset-glow,
The judgment follows fast, my lord!
"Oh, who will stay the sun's descent?"
King Joshua he is dead, my lord.
"I need an hour to repent!"
'Tis what our sister said, my lord.
"Oh, do not slay me in my sins!"
You're safe awhile with us, my lord.
"Nay, kill me ere my fear begins!"
We would not serve you thus, my lord.
"Where is the doom that I must face?"
Three little leagues away, my lord.
"Then mend the horses' laggard pace!"
We need them for next day, my lord.
"Next day--next day! Unloose my cords!"
Our sister needed none, my lord.
You had no mind to face our swords,
And--where can cowards run, my lord?
"You would not kill the soul alive?"
'Twas thus our sister cried, my lord.
"I dare not die with none to shrive."
But so our sister died, my lord.
"Then wipe the sweat from brow and cheek."
It runnels forth afresh, my lord.
"Uphold me--for the flesh is weak."
You've finished with the Flesh, my lord!
poem by Rudyard Kipling
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Decision Time
He sat in a chair
and rocked all night.
Could not sleep.
He was so uptight.
He thought about lies
being told by liars.
He thought about burnin'
in hell's fires.
He knew how the lies
would take him down.
The liars would win
and wear the crown.
When the night ended
and the sun came through
he saw it shining
and knew what he would do.
He'd change his life
and never look back.
For all the liars
are on the wrong track.
You can't stay on the road
that leads to hell
or you'll end up like the liars
and stay where they dwell.
poem by Edwina Reizer
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If Hell Had A Jukebox
(Travis Tritt. Lee Rogers)
You left me for a dream you had to follow
But I thought goodbye wouldn't last that long
You'd go off chasin' rainbows till you realized I loved you
And then run back to my arms where you belong
But months have passed, I guess I was mistakem
And love was something I thought I knew well
But when you called me on the phone, asking when you'd come back home
You simply told me I could go to Hell
(Well/And) Honey, if Hell had a jukebox
And the Devil kept it full of hurtin' songs
You could find me there this evening
With the broken hearted grieving
Prayin like hell you would come back home
I've looked at all the pictures from our good times
And tried to figure out where we went wrong
And I've dropped a million quarters down the jukebox
'Cause I'm still haunted by what used to be our song
I wish this mental torture would release me
Lord, I've give all I had for what it's worth
I don't see how the fires below, where you wanted me to go
Could be worse than Hell I'm living here on Earth
Repeat Chorus
Yes, you could find me there this evening
With the brokenhearted grieving
Prayin' like hell you would come back home
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One By One
Lord one by one and two by two, I will draw all men Lord, to you,
Lord, to the one and only friend, all men will need come the end.
There’s no greater friend indeed, than one who knows our need,
And He not only knew the cost, but suffered and died for the lost.
I only desire to share The Truth, not concerned of men’s reproof.
And although they may criticize, a word of Truth may open eyes.
All of God’s Truth will be fulfilled, and just as God eternally willed.
Today the words they dispute, one day shall see indeed as Truth.
I pray that their hearts can see, their need they have for eternity,
A need beyond their place of birth, and beyond a temporal earth.
God’s Judgment is sure to come, when all men will see His Son,
And for all who refuse The Truth, they will see His strong reproof,
Until then my Lord I need to be, a guiding Light for all men to see,
And my Lord, according to your will, place my light high upon a hill.
Through your Light Lord I pray, that men will see your eternal way.
The only way men can be assured, of an eternal life with you Lord.
No longer will men see the light, but only a darkened eternal night.
Just like Jude, it is my desire, to snatch some from the eternal fire.
Then Lord one by one, two by two, men shall come to faith in you.
And with their eyes all will see, the home you prepared in Eternity.
(Copyright ©04/2006)
An Openness To God
i
Each day that passes my life
I call Your name and seek your light.
In my weary mind, in my lonely heart,
You are the answer, You're my guiding star.
ii
In my inner most feeling, inside my mind,
Thousands of questions are rocking day and night.
Hear my prayers Oh Lord, I need You God,
Even if I am not worthy to receive Your love.
iii
Oh my Lord Jesus, I know that You're aware,
To be with You is all I wanted.
But sometimes I know there's a big mistake,
In one corner of my mind, with You I hesitate.
iv
With these temptations I send You my request,
Descend upon me the Holy Spirit.
Strengthen my faith, make it stronger,
So that all those fears, I will not be haunted.
v
I cannot fill my life only with the things around,
And wonder how it is without vision that guide.
Please lead me Lord so that I will not be trapped,
Into the pit of sins and hell with fires.
vi
Here in my heart, resides a big hope,
With all my hardships I wish I can cope
With Your undying love and graces too
I can be a winner to this battling foe.
poem by Rose de Ramar
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Teen Dream Come True
it was a summer nights dream, not a cloud to be seen
the sky a beautiful orange red
i saw you and i thought that i was dead.
then a vision came into my eyes
the vision was of you and i.
and the tears came down like the rain from the sky
not even thinking or knowing why.
i was attracted to you like bees to honey
it seemed strange- it seemed funny.
then i recalled the first time that i saw you:
i was walking to school with my friends that day
you was with your friends walking the opposite way.
our eyes met and neither one of us
could pull our gaze away.
i wanted to chase and talk to you
but i did'nt know what to say.
it's five years later and we are young adults now
and i still could'nt make a sound.
so you walked over to me with a smile so wide
that i became hypnotized.
hi! my name is venus, and i remember you from school.
you walked by and i played the fool.
i could'nt speak, i stood transfixed at the way our eyes met
and it still haunts me yet.
there was so many things that i wanted to say
but you continued to walk away.
now i'm older and no longer shy.
would you like to sit with me and have a glass of wine?
still speechless- i shook my head.
then the words rose to my throat.
'i always thought of you' i started to boast.
you captured my heart on that very first day
and there was so many things that i wanted to say.
your eyes had pulled me in like
a whirlpool in the ocean, and set all my feelings in motion.
i thought of you night and day
but did'nt know from where you came.
i searched every hallway and each classroom
but you was gone much too soon.
she said: i was tranferred from school that very day
but to the LORD i did pray.
that i would see you again, and that we'd be more than friends.
if we could just sit and talk, and learn about each other
for in my heart there was no other.
we reached across the table and our hands touched
for the first time, and our bodies started to
shake and quiver, and chills running up and
down our spines.
she knew i was hers, and she was mine.
embarassed, because we thought that people had saw
the way that we reacted.
we grabbed hands and ran out the door.
to once again face the beautiful orange red sky
and knew this was a love sublime.
poem by Louis Rams
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Another sunny day
The lord has been so good to me
Why couldn't I see it before?
He was working in his own way
He was opening more doors
He knew my struggles
He felt my pain
But he let me go through it
So strength I would gain
More times than I can count
I knelt by my bed
I prayed so long and hard
At times I felt so dead
After awhile I stopped
Thinking it was no use
I felt he wasn't there for me
So my faith I decided to loose
Months went by
It just got worse
The devil had me bound
Bound into his curse
Angry and scornful
Sarcastic and mean
Fear and anxiety
Started to be seen
Irritation and hopelessness
Had me captured by the throat
The devil's hands were aroung my neck
I allowed myself to be choked
I wanted to be loved
To be safe and secure
But that wasn't the case
I thought I'd kill myself for sure
I stopped caring about myself
But ofcourse there was no time for me
I was Cinderella in a dungeon
Wanting to break free
Trapped and alone
I faced a living hell
I thought no one could get me out
That no one could pay my bail
If my angel would have flown away
What would I have done?
Would I have given up on life?
Would I have tried to find that gun?
Lost and alone
That what I felt
Anger and pity
That's how I delt
Hungry for compassion
For a smile to come my way
For someone to give me a hug
To ask me how was my day
God's plan for me was special
He allowed the angel to intervene
She flew away with me
And took me in her open wings
poem by Ciera Ivey
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I thought
I thought I saw his face to day.
In the wake of the sun.
And then I heard the Lord say.
His work here is done.
I thought I heardhis voice today.
And luagh your joyfull luagh.
Then I heard the Lord say.
There is peace dear one at last.
I though I felt your touch in the breeze that rustled by.
And then I heard the lord say.
The spirit never dies.
I thought I saw my broken hart.
In the cresent of the moon.
And then I heard the lord say.
I am coming soon.
I thought that you had left me
for the stars above.
And then I heard the lord say.
He has left you with his love.
I thought that I would miss you so.
And never find my way.
Then I heard the lord say.
He is with you every day
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell
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Only When I Had You
(song lyrics. maybe this marks the end of my writer's block. i sure do hope so)
i guess this is the end
of everything that we once knew
and now we're moving on
except i'm not moving anywhere
i'm stuck right here to wait for you
to turn around and laugh again
and tell me that you knew
you knew i'd be okay
you knew i had the strength to wake up everyday
especially when i had you
you knew i'd stand up strong
you knew i had the strength to make it on my own
but you never knew..
i guess this is the end
of my dreamless nights and wakeful eyes
my nightmares come right back
and you still walk away
i lay right here and die today
because you. turned. away...
and you thought..
you thought i'd be okay
you thought i had the strength to wake up everyday
but only when i had you
you thought i'd stand up strong
you thought i had the strength to make it on my own
but only if i had you...
poem by Something Changing
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Prayer[Skit]
I come to you hungry and tired
You give food and let me sleep
I come to you weak
You give strength and thats deep
You called me a sheep
And leed me to green pastures
Only asking that I keep the focus
Between the chaptures
You give me the word and only acts I interpet
And give me the eyes so I can recognize the serpent
You know I aint perfect, but youll like me to try
And just like the devil who wants me to lie
Till I die
Lord why is it that, that I go through so much pain
All I saw was black and all I felt was rain
I come to you because its you that knows
To show me that everything is black
Because me eyes were closed
You give me the light and let me bask in your glory
So it was only right that when you ask for this story
I put together to do all dogs some good
All dogs being all the brothers and sisters in the hood
Plenty of times you sent help my way ? but I hit?
I remember once you held me close but I slip
There was something that I just had to see
That you wanted me to see so I can be what you wanted me to be
And I think I am seeing it but I dont feel the same
Matter of fact I know I have seen it I can feel the change
And its strange almost got me beating down your door
But I have never known love like this before
Its a wonderful feeling to get away from the pain
And up under the ceiling I get away from the rain
And the strain that I feel when Im here is gone
I know real so I wipe away the tears son
And I almost lost faith in you when you took my man monty
Pass over chase a brother down
And I fear that what I saying wont be heard until Im gone
But its all good, cause I didnt expect to live long
So if it takes for me to suffer for me brother to see the light
Give me pain till I die but please lord treat him right
song performed by by DMX
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Scotty McCreery Song = GOD'S BIBLE & TEST OF HEARTS!
GOD'S BIBLE
The Bible is our Lord's infallible Holy Word
Of supreme authority in one God's law.
Eternally existing in three persons of faith
The Father, the Son and the Spirit without flaw.
Jesus was conceived by the virgin named Mary
To soldier divine majesty, grace and reward.
He died and rose to be at the right hand of God
As our negotiator and passage to the Lord.
All men are lost and face God's judgment
Along with their need to heed to the glory of His Son.
Who suffered the cross to save man's soul
And to put the angles of darkness on the run.
Christ rose from the dead and is coming soon
And we must have concern for the hurts and needs of all.
Dedicating our lives to the service of our Lord
Whose authority and divine rule becomes our call.
We must use every means to spread the promise of grace
Throughout our world of corruption, greed and crime.
God always expects us to overcome our transgressions
Testing our faith and resolve through the passage of time.
GOD'S TEST OF HEARTS
The shameless hunger for power, wealth and revenge
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent to their door.
People who justify immoral behavior
Shall be measured by their misdeeds before.
Fools listen eagerly to the words of the pathetic
Who's mission in life is the corruption of man.
Where the righteous overrule the wicked of heart
Challenging Satan's dominance and command.
Better is the heart filled with love and quietness
Than one that feasts on the loudness of strife.
Angry hearts fan the flames of failure
Eager to reject God's blessings of life.
God's test of hearts dates back to Adam
When Eve picked fruit from the forbidden tree.
Tempted by Satan they lost God's grace
Revealing weakness to be punished by Thee.
Happy hearts prosper on what is truthful and good
Where dishonored ones fester and rot to the bone.
Life charts our course but God guides our way
As His wisdom and love become our own.
I LOST MY WAY FROM JESUS
I lost my way sweet Jesus
I can't stand to shame you anymore.
While all the time your ocean of truth
Lay before me to explore.
When I closed my eyes to you Lord
Temptation slipped beyond my door.
I'm sick and tired of my behavior
Feeling lost, hopeless and more.
So here I am, "my sins exposed"
With nowhere for me to hide.
Whispering forth my prayers of faith
Sensing your presence inside.
I drifted from you Master
My shepherd of guiding light.
I lost my way sweet Jesus
And I pray to repent tonight.
Tom Zart's 462 Poems Are Free To Share To Teach Or Show Support!
By God's Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet On The Web!
Google = Tom Zart's Radio Shows
Rush Limbaugh Poem = GOD'S BIBLE & TEST OF HEARTS
GOD'S BIBLE
The Bible is our Lord's infallible Holy Word
Of supreme authority in one God's law.
Eternally existing in three persons of faith
The Father, the Son and the Spirit without flaw.
Jesus was conceived by the virgin named Mary
To soldier divine majesty, grace and reward.
He died and rose to be at the right hand of God
As our negotiator and passage to the Lord.
All men are lost and face God's judgment
Along with their need to heed to the glory of His Son.
Who suffered the cross to save man's soul
And to put the angles of darkness on the run.
Christ rose from the dead and is coming soon
And we must have concern for the hurts and needs of all.
Dedicating our lives to the service of our Lord
Whose authority and divine rule becomes our call.
We must use every means to spread the promise of grace
Throughout our world of corruption, greed and crime.
God always expects us to overcome our transgressions
Testing our faith and resolve through the passage of time.
GOD'S TEST OF HEARTS
The shameless hunger for power, wealth and revenge
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent to their door.
People who justify immoral behavior
Shall be measured by their misdeeds before.
Fools listen eagerly to the words of the pathetic
Who's mission in life is the corruption of man.
Where the righteous overrule the wicked of heart
Challenging Satan's dominance and command.
Better is the heart filled with love and quietness
Than one that feasts on the loudness of strife.
Angry hearts fan the flames of failure
Eager to reject God's blessings of life.
God's test of hearts dates back to Adam
When Eve picked fruit from the forbidden tree.
Tempted by Satan they lost God's grace
Revealing weakness to be punished by Thee.
Happy hearts prosper on what is truthful and good
Where dishonored ones fester and rot to the bone.
Life charts our course but God guides our way
As His wisdom and love become our own.
I LOST MY WAY FROM JESUS
I lost my way sweet Jesus
I can't stand to shame you anymore.
While all the time your ocean of truth
Lay before me to explore.
When I closed my eyes to you Lord
Temptation slipped beyond my door.
I'm sick and tired of my behavior
Feeling lost, hopeless and more.
So here I am, "my sins exposed"
With nowhere for me to hide.
Whispering forth my prayers of faith
Sensing your presence inside.
I drifted from you Master
My shepherd of guiding light.
I lost my way sweet Jesus
And I pray to repent tonight.
Tom Zart's 462 Poems Are Free To Share To Teach Or Show Support!
By God's Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet On The Web!
Google = Tom Zart's Radio Shows
Go to hell
Go to hell, go to hell'
Blasted one young teen
"What am I doing on net? "
"You are doing nonsense, I bet"
Taken a back for a while
Fumed and just disappeared the smile
was I so unwelcome or wrong?
Had I no place to find friends among?
I am in my teen, and not yet twenty
you may have lived with years plenty
"Are you not ashamed' to be on net"
"Dear you can blast, but have we ever met? " I asked
No, but you have commitment a sin
Put your ideas in just dust bin
Whether be it pot or simple tin
I will not let you allow to score point or win
I said "Dear calm down"
You aren't the only one in town
You may frown, eyes may turn brown
Not only 'hell', but use and add another noun
Not only sex on phone but nudity too
Still may be there simple purity to be true
Why do not you make point or just clarity?
What can be best quality to justify? I argued
"No then also, you just go to hell"
You need no alarms pr bell
It will be bad if you stick here and perform well
"Consider it right now and jump in the well" She argued
Oh, dear teen, you are simple kid
You know not and have no lid
Candle can be lit and not just ignite
"If you have will power and ideas definite" I tried to cool her down
Fear not for a while from simple man
Freedom may be right but can't force a ban
Never do or suffer from narrow thought
Danger may be lurking but always to be fought
I thought for a while but did not cave
Honor was at stake and was absolutely necessary to save
Things may be right but not put in right prospective
She was foolish teen but not subjective
it is always good to be friends on line
Some of the fears can allayed or sidelined
the prestige and status should be respected
One must realize and certainly introspected
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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The day we said goodbye
"The day we said goodbye"
(Narrative Poem)
I was sitting in the far corner of the room
I was thinking about you how you are in pain
I was hoping and praying that you come back to us again
I asked God to give us a chance to take care of you as you take care of your children.
I have so much faith in my heart that God will grant my prayers as He always did.
But as I was pondering about of what will happen then if God will take you that time there was an urge for me to go to the bed where you lay fighting for life.
I kiss your cheek and rub your forehead lovingly hoping it will ease some pain you are suffering telling you you're not alone you are accompanied by so many.
As I was saying those words you nod your head to me I thought you came back but that was the last time I saw you move as I looked at you
You're not breathing anymore.
I rubbed my eyes hoping I was wrong but indeed! "MAMA YOU'RE DEAD"!
I walked away quietly surprisingly I was very calmed I told my sisters to call the nurses.
They asked me why? I can not said the horrible words I just sat back again in the corner where I was still hoping I was wrong that you are still breathing.
The nurses came and said "She is gone". They called the doctor and he said the same..."She is gone".
Mama I never thought that was my last kiss for you
The last words I uttered "I love you Ma".
The day we said goodbye is the day you died.
Every time I think of your death I feel like a sharp knife pierce to the deepest chamber of my heart.
I long to hear your voice even you're upset
I long to hug you sometimes teased you
I long to take you with me hoping I give you some happiness
I long to show you love I know I did not showed you enough
I long to tell you I LOVE YOU with all my heart
But I know it is just all longings nothing more I can do
I know you're with the LORD and with Papa and Kuya
I hope you're still watching us even from afar
And I hope you help me cope with this longing I am feeling inside
MAMA you are always my guiding light I know even from heaven you still give us your love.
No one can give us love beyond this life but you my beloved MAMSI.
Written……11-11-2012
poem by Emelita C. Smith
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Prayer
I come to you hungry and tired
You give me food and let me sleep
I come to you weak
You give me strength and thats deep
You call me a sheep and lead me to green pastures
Only asking that I keep the focus in-between the chapters
You give me the word and only ask that I interpret
And give me the eyes that I may recognize the serpent
You know I aint perfect,but youd like me to try
Unlike the devil who just wants me to lie
Till I die
Lord why is it that,i go through so much pain
All I saw was black,all I felt was rain
I come to you because its you who knows
You showed me that everything was black because my eyes were closed
You gave me the light and let me bask in your glory
So it was only right that when you ask for this story
I put it together to do our dogs some good
Our dogs being,brothers and sisters in the hood
Plenty of times you sent help my way,but I hid
And I remember once you held me close,but I slid
There was something that I just had to see
That you wanted me to see so I can be what you wanted me to be
And I think Ive seen it,but I dont feel the same
Matter of fact I know Ive seen it,i can feel the change
And its strange almost got me beating down your door
But I have never known a love like this before
Its a wonderful feeling to get away from the pain
And up under the ceiling I get away from the rain
And the strain that I feel when Im here is gone
I know real so I wipe away the tears with a song
And I almost lost faith when you took my man monty,paso,and jays brother dan
And I fear that what Im saying wont be heard until Im gone
But its all good,cause I really didnt expect to live long
So if it takes for me to suffer,for my brother to see the light
Give me pain till I die,but please lord treat him right
song performed by by DMX
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hymn 15
Our own weakness, and Christ our strength.
2 Cor. 12:7,9,10.
Let me but hear my Savior say,
"Strength shall be equal to thy day,"
Then I rejoice in deep distress,
Leaning on all-sufficient grace.
I glory in infirmity,
That Christ's own power may rest on me:
When I am weak, then am I strong,
Grace is my shield, and Christ my song.
I can do all things, or can bear
All suff'rings, if my Lord be there;
Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains,
While his left hand my head sustains.
But if the Lord be once withdrawn,
And we attempt the work alone,
When new temptations spring and rise,
We find how great our weakness is.
[So Samson, when his hair was lost,
Met the Philistines to his cost;
Shook his vain limbs with sad surprise,
Made feeble fight, and lost his eyes.]
poem by Isaac Watts
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Thank You Lord
"Thank You Lord"
A year has passed with a blink of an eye
I thank you Lord, for I'm still alive.
Pardon me if ever I did wrong
Keep me safe and keep me strong.
I pray for good health and courage to face
That life may bring just incase…..
So show me the light…the road to success
Build up my confidence…that I forget.
Keep my loved ones safe and sound
I know in prayers it can be found.
A special prayer for a special "U"
I love you God so help me through
I close my eyes and bow before you
Make my wishes and dreams come true.
For it's "U" I turn to in times of pain
And I know my prayers will be heard again…
poem by Meena Mustafa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Burial of Sarah
He stood before the sons of Heth,
And bowed his sorrowing head;
"I've come," he said, "to buy a place
Where I may lay my dead.
"I am a stranger in your land,
My home has lost its light;
Grant me a place where I may lay
My dead away from sight."
Then tenderly the sons of Heth
Gazed on the mourner's face,
And said, "Oh, Prince, amid our dead,
Choose thou her resting-place.
"The sepulchres of those we love,
We place at thy command;
Against the plea thy grief hath made
We close not heart nor hand."
The patriarch rose and bowed his head,
And said, "One place I crave;
'Tis at the end of Ephron's field,
And called Machpelah's cave.
"Entreat him that he sell to me
For her last sleep that cave;
I do not ask for her I loved
The freedom of a grave."
The son of Zohar answered him,
"Hearken, my lord, to me;
Before our sons, the field and cave
I freely give to thee."
"I will not take it as a gift,"
The grand old man then said;
"I pray thee let me buy the place
Where I may lay my dead."
And with the promise in his heart,
His seed should own that land,
He gave the shekels for the field
He took from Ephron's hand.
And saw afar the glorious day
His chosen seed should tread,
The soil where he in sorrow lay
His loved and cherished dead.
poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Fleurette
(The Wounded Canadian Speaks)
My leg? It's off at the knee.
Do I miss it? Well, some. You see
I've had it since I was born;
And lately a devilish corn.
(I rather chuckle with glee
To think how I've fooled that corn.)
But I'll hobble around all right.
It isn't that, it's my face.
Oh I know I'm a hideous sight,
Hardly a thing in place;
Sort of gargoyle, you'd say.
Nurse won't give me a glass,
But I see the folks as they pass
Shudder and turn away;
Turn away in distress . . .
Mirror enough, I guess.
I'm gay! You bet I AM gay;
But I wasn't a while ago.
If you'd seen me even to-day,
The darndest picture of woe,
With this Caliban mug of mine,
So ravaged and raw and red,
Turned to the wall -- in fine,
Wishing that I was dead. . . .
What has happened since then,
Since I lay with my face to the wall,
The most despairing of men?
Listen! I'll tell you all.
That poilu across the way,
With the shrapnel wound in his head,
Has a sister: she came to-day
To sit awhile by his bed.
All morning I heard him fret:
"Oh, when will she come, Fleurette?"
Then sudden, a joyous cry;
The tripping of little feet,
The softest, tenderest sigh,
A voice so fresh and sweet;
Clear as a silver bell,
Fresh as the morning dews:
"C'est toi, c'est toi, Marcel!
Mon frère, comme je suis heureuse!"
So over the blanket's rim
I raised my terrible face,
And I saw -- how I envied him!
A girl of such delicate grace;
Sixteen, all laughter and love;
As gay as a linnet, and yet
As tenderly sweet as a dove;
Half woman, half child -- Fleurette.
Then I turned to the wall again.
(I was awfully blue, you see),
And I thought with a bitter pain:
"Such visions are not for me."
So there like a log I lay,
All hidden, I thought, from view,
When sudden I heard her say:
"Ah! Who is that malheureux?"
Then briefly I heard him tell
(However he came to know)
How I'd smothered a bomb that fell
Into the trench, and so
None of my men were hit,
Though it busted me up a bit.
Well, I didn't quiver an eye,
And he chattered and there she sat;
And I fancied I heard her sigh --
But I wouldn't just swear to that.
And maybe she wasn't so bright,
Though she talked in a merry strain,
And I closed my eyes ever so tight,
Yet I saw her ever so plain:
Her dear little tilted nose,
Her delicate, dimpled chin,
Her mouth like a budding rose,
And the glistening pearls within;
Her eyes like the violet:
Such a rare little queen -- Fleurette.
And at last when she rose to go,
The light was a little dim,
And I ventured to peep, and so
I saw her, graceful and slim,
And she kissed him and kissed him, and oh
How I envied and envied him!
So when she was gone I said
In rather a dreary voice
To him of the opposite bed:
"Ah, friend, how you must rejoice!
But me, I'm a thing of dread.
For me nevermore the bliss,
The thrill of a woman's kiss."
Then I stopped, for lo! she was there,
And a great light shone in her eyes;
And me! I could only stare,
I was taken so by surprise,
When gently she bent her head:
"May I kiss you, Sergeant?" she said.
Then she kissed my burning lips
With her mouth like a scented flower,
And I thrilled to the finger-tips,
And I hadn't even the power
To say: "God bless you, dear!"
And I felt such a precious tear
Fall on my withered cheek,
And darn it! I couldn't speak.
And so she went sadly away,
And I knew that my eyes were wet.
Ah, not to my dying day
Will I forget, forget!
Can you wonder now I am gay?
God bless her, that little Fleurette!
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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