THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD...

He is young, slender, tall
His stance is firm
In fact, nothing about him is sloppy at all.
His head is bare, his raven hair neat
his shoulders squared.
His back is straight
he stands at ease, feet slightly apart.
His sunburnt features appear calm;
yet, his expression is closed; his eyes cast down.

Held chest high, his placard announces to a frenetically
rushing, indifferent world:

               Have a wife, have a child,
               have no work, no money -
               please be kind -
               food, clothes, money, work,
               any help will do -
               may God  bless you...

And there, but for the grace of God, stand you or I.

THE KING ON A CROSS

THE KING ON A CROSS

Full pardon,

forgiveness

of sin; love,

mercy, grace

for the whole

human race - bought by the bloody,

cruel, humiliating, sacrificial death

of One who

freely spilt

His blood,

gave His all,

His precious

life – Jesus,

God's only

Son. Will

you accept,

and embrace

eternal life

or scorn the

price paid in

your behalf.

Oh, Job...

Oh Job...

How I wished at times to have your patience;

How I prayed at times to have your strength;

How I longed at times to have your faith;

How I hankered at times to have you as a friend;

How I desired at times to have your oratory;

How I dreamt at times to have your wealth;

How I begged at times to have your restored health;

But never, at any time, did I ask or wish to have your wife!

SURVIVAL

Fat round worm squirms helplessly

in beak sharp and specially primed

gullet quivers with delight

-another juicy, delectable bite!

Fish eagle gracefully soars;

swoops with undetected purpose, precise accuracy and speed

reflected movement halted,

cold blooded life lifted from lifegiving waters.

Clutching its prey - once more cleaving the sky -

the fish eagle’s victory squawk pierces the skies.

Doe veers, desperately swerves

Fleeing from swift, silent lioness

propelled by sensual anticipation, in full flight,

it’s strong, ready claws extended...

Bared yellowed fangs find

racing pulse, quivering target.

Dust settles – soon it will be night.

Ecstatic cubs rush in to gorge their fill.

Of malice prepense the sinister stealthy stalker’s

gleaming knifeblade flashes;

slashes unexpectantly thru skin,

supple muscle, lukewarm flesh -

a gasp, a shudder, iridescent irises dim to unseeing dull.

A last ripple of movement, ebbing in unison with the flow of blood …

Another life is ended…for what?

For a wallet, a watch, a handful of coins…

To sate

Without guilt, flinching, remorse or recoil

the unsatiable lust called greed

or primitive, primal animal creed:
the fittest shall survive!

BABY GIRL

Sterile theatre
bright fluorescent lights
team dressed in green; scrubbed clean

silent mother breathing deep
watchful monitors beep
father watches expectantly
atmosphere intense

Scalpel cuts decisively quick
a gash bright red and deep
silent blood drops seep

a head appears
a tiny body is lifted high
a first gusty wail assaults the atmosphere

joy
love
peace
gratitude untold

another miracle has taken place...
all glory to God!
Our precious baby girl, Jenee, is born!

AWESOME GOD

In midnight dark
when stars adorn the sky
glinting bright as jewels in Your crown;
in soft reflected light of sun
clouds drifting slowly pass the moon
and my heart soars in worship of You.

When morning filters
thru the black of night gone by
and stars fade in the glory of the sun
when  oceans mirror the brilliant blue of unscrolled skies
then my soul confirms Your majesty anew.

When sun sets majestic
and You paint the canvass vast
with colours of your glory and your grace
I rejoice knowing that Your Word will ever last
and my spirit glories in the beauty that I face.

When  ocean's waves depleted lie
on the sands along the beach
and by Your command retreat to unknown deep
I know no power its borders without Your
consent may exceed, and I cannot else but
before Your restraining power humbly bow.