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”

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”

Old Demons Wait

I was never self-diagnosed,but for years I self-medicated.My life until I met her,was tangled and complicated.Prison walls and darker nightsthe suicide I survived.I saw demons in the shadows,yet still I am alive.She carries childhood wounds,her own long wars to weather.In His good time, God watchedas we came together.Now in love we’ve found a peacethat keepsContinue reading “Old Demons Wait”

Steady Stay

The storm knew my name as a childcrashed early through my door.My small hands were no matchI knew the shadows voice before.Years passed, the waves smashedyet still I crossed each sea.Damaged like the winter oak,yet His roots grow deep inside of me.Always a peace in the aftermathonce suffering has had its way.I feel the HolyContinue reading “Steady Stay”

Toby Jug

Boots off by the Milton rug,She brings me lager in a Toby jug.Friday fish ‘n’ chips, stroll by the seaA half-time pie, a cup of teaCobbled lanes and Sunday bellsRoyal pomp and roast dinner smellsRain taps, pointing blameA good old pub relieving painStubborn oak and sceptred blood,Sarcastic wit beneath the floodGlory to God who gaveContinue reading “Toby Jug”

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”

The man I was

Bent steel still warm, tight in my hand,Heart cold – anger blazed, its blurred where I stand.Demon on my chest, his blood drips from my fingers,worry whispers, but hatred still lingers.Out of hell, were not the same,ash in my breath, got the devil to blame.One not enough, so in fury I swung,blade rise and fellContinue reading “The man I was”