Praise – Smith Shine Poetry

Lord Have Mercy

I have stood in pain and called it lifeAs I grew – a pint in hand masked the strifeBut in the quiet – now the cheers are goneI hear the spirit – I thought I’d outrunNot from the steel I kept close by my sideNot in the noise nor the things that I hideBut inContinue reading “Lord Have Mercy”

Prayer Rope

I sit scared with brass knuckles an knife.Yet useless they lie – dark spirits seek life.I rise for battle – grab my prayer rope.I call on Christ – the source of all hope.Through spirit and chants – have mercy on me.Each knot a firm strike – no steel can be.In the quiet of battle myContinue reading “Prayer Rope”

Unconscious Force

My attention adrift on narrow roadsan unseen wind decides.In a candle flicker I hear a whisperof an incoming tide.Old memories I see – my hand uponthe wheel.Incense – The Word – The Icons.In buried echoes I start to feelDid I choose where my eyes did rest?The truth my mind eyes see?Beneath the smoke and fireContinue reading “Unconscious Force”

False Prophet

He came in a cloak of gentleness,He shrugged to mercy while promising bless.But underneath the sheep soft skin,A ravenous wolf – waits within.Cries of scorn spill from the lips,Calls for heads – and severed finger tips.In ‘holy war’ their voices rise,Oppression burning in their eyes.Gods true plan, or cunning lies?A false prophet in disguise.Test theContinue reading “False Prophet”

The wee Church in Overleigh Cemetery.

Standing high where the silent sleep,Among the graves the English earth keeps.Sword-cross of stone, a cenotaph stands,Guarding brave souls, the names of this land.Incense drifts on the solemn air,Byzantine chants weave the branches bare.Saint Barbra prays above the grounds,Where life has departed. yet Christ is found.Time meets eternity, the living pass.Faith growing strong in theContinue reading “The wee Church in Overleigh Cemetery.”

Shrove Tuesday

Pancakes and laughter tossed in the air.Mummy mixing more – flour everywhere.Children cheer – pancakes, dinner, dessert.Sugar rains down lemons squirt.A table laid, wine and beer.Family moments we hold so dear.As the syrup flows in ribbons of gold.Daddy recalls a story told.The feast before the fasting phase,Christ in the desert forty days.Flip the pan andContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday”

In a Dark Room

In a dark room breaths breach the silence.The unseen gathers, the gnashing of violence.Orisons, just cries in the wilderness?Fear to gag the wounded soul. Villainous!I reach for a match and the incense burns.I invoke the Jesus prayer. Bravery churns.Incense rising, delivering my prayers to heaven.Peace returns, no best of seven.

The Suffering of the Saints

Midnight chanting – Tears drying in the dark.East face fasting – Seeing no morning – No man apart.Chains now prayer ropes – Not one ask why.Lord have mercy – No light in the sky.Not suffering more – Just suffering towards.With Psalms – Not swords.Aim is clear – Not peaceful.Screaming rage through tears pull.Still suffering towardsContinue reading “The Suffering of the Saints”

All Will Realise

This one you won, I’m to blame.If you think I’m conquered its you,that’s insane.Just a mere battle, admittedlyyou battled well.I succumbed, I tasted hell.Do not exult for long.For this sorry state I’m muchtoo strong.Resilient, fought for an age in time.This aint my first pen, this aintthe first line.Now in His name, contemplate yourretreat.I’m in Him.Continue reading “All Will Realise”

Most Blessed

O’ most blessed mother of mercy,I bow my head in shame.For the sacrilege upon you,and your most blessed name.Reach for Him in heaven,forgive me for my lies.Pray for me most blessed,as I apologise.All holy mother, guid my tremblingheart along.Truly the Theotokos. when I am weaknow keep me strong.I’ll hold the crossas you held Him asContinue reading “Most Blessed”