Xapa to the World

Tag: poetry

  • Poem: For Achilles; the Restless Warrior

    Well, one voice was enough to encourage me to keep going with this.  After watching the movie Troy, I was struck with the life presented by Achilles.  What I saw was a man who was lost…who was placing all of his faith in his own strength and abilities.  This kind of a life is empty, and by the end of the movie, he realized it, striving to put his hope into something bigger than himself…love, in this case.  But, it reminded me of the many people in this world who decide to rely on their own strength and not in something greater…the greatest thing being God Himself…their creator.  Yea, Achilles is a character in Greek mythology, but the only reason mythology has such a distinction is because it is based, to a point, on human life, and the dynamics of relationships and living.  The only reason the gods and supernatural are included is because man innately recognizes that there has to be a greater force out there beyond his own existence.  It’s misdirected, to be sure, but still, a demonstration that eternity is written on the hearts of man.

    The mechanics of this poem are based on the use of questions.  These questions reflect the uncertainty in Achilles’ life.

    November 15, 2004

    What kind of peace could I have?
    My life is spent at the edge of my sword
    Sweat on my brow
    Blood is mingled with their tears

    What is this that lies behind their eyes?
    A pleading that is wearing at my soul
    Is this man a father?
    Are his children left behind?

    Could I ever know this kind of love?
    They fight for glory and passion
    They believe in this
    Longing to have what brings them joy

    What could ever bring me joy?
    Will this sword and legend comfort me
    When my hair is gray
    Or when my head is heavy on my pillow?

    Why can’t I find my peace?
    It is clouded by the mist from the waves
    Should my feet drudge to find it,
    My soul shall find its rest.

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Dive

    October 25th, 2004

    Looking at this pool
    So deep and so broad
    Yeah, the waves look rough
    And the bottom so far,
    But a glimmer and shine
    Sparks a light in my eyes
    My heart skips a beat
    But I sit back and sigh

    I can sit at the edge
    Throwing my feet in
    The foam tickles my ankles
    And beckons me in
    But just when I feel
    It’s time to begin
    You’re pulling me back
    From the waves once again

    Oh why can’t You let me dive?
    Why can’t I run and try to reach for the sky?
    Why can’t I just fly?
    I know it’s Your heart
    I know Your command
    But why not now, Papa,
    Why can’t I dive?

    I can see the field
    Parts white as snow
    No one is gathering
    So I grab my bag to go
    But a wall comes between me
    And the wheat sitting there
    So I toss it back down
    And watch the wind blow

    Oh why can’t You let me dive?
    Why can’t I run and try to reach for the sky?
    Why can’t I just fly?
    I know it’s Your heart
    I know Your command
    But why not now, Papa,
    Why can’t I dive?

    I just want to serve You
    I just want to go
    Though You hold me back now
    Someday, it’s Your plan
    You’ve got it much better
    Than I comprehend
    And yes, Lord, I’m anxious
    But with You, I’ll stand

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: The Best in Worship

    October 10th, 2004

    Walk through the doors
    Smiles on faces and warm hands to shake
    Slip into my pew
    Friends on the left, friends on the right
    Bow heads in prayer
    Thanks for arrival and blessing for worship
    Stand up to sing
    Praise and give love to our King

    What is this that echoes in my ear?
    Is this really music worthy of a King?
    Searching for God in the shatter of notes
    His image unclear in the racket

    Close my eyes to the noise
    Coming from up front
    Feel Your presence shine through
    Surrounding me and fellowship

    Open them up again
    To the mess man has made
    Heart sinks inside
    As I remember Your face
    Looking down and frowning
    On the gift we bring
    This talent taken and buried in a hill
    Brought out this morning
    Just to show we’ve not lost it

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Anticipation

    September 29th, 2004

    Waiting on You
    In expectation of Your glory
    The warmth of Your love
    Brushes my cheek and arm
    This weather-eye
    Is getting tired
    Worn from straining to see
    Your light on the horizon
    Are You really coming?
    Will this sound deep inside
    Like the beating of a heart;
    A knocking on the door,
    Be realized?
    It’s always right on the edge
    Like racing over a hill
    Stomach rebels and body in motion
    Flip inside and laughter out.
    Or after the rain
    And a drop on the leaf
    Grows and stretches
    Then final release
    Splash on the ground.
    Are You really coming?
    Like the shell from the shore
    And waves in my ear
    Feet in the sand
    Dig in and the water
    Seeps in and covers
    Yeah, this is You.

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Breathe

    September 7th, 2004

    Caught off guard
    By the glory of it all
    Breath caught in my throat
    By the beauty of it all
    Could I ever have imagined
    That it could be like this?
    Such a peace and excitement
    Thrown in together
    Understanding and wonder
    Jumbled in together
    I’m so glad I waited
    Just for you.
    Our hearts were drawn together
    By the One, our Lover, Maker
    And now they’ve been
    Made into one.
    I can’t hardly breathe
    Yet there is a strength inside me
    A happiness
    That I can’t describe.

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Bring Us Together Again

    August 13th, 2004

    It’s so sad
    To be leaving these faces
    They were my home
    For such a long time
    A piece of their heart
    Has filled in the space that’s left
    From the piece that they took
    To call their own

    Papa, You are in control of all
    And Your hand directs both hearts and time
    So if Your heart is willing
    Bring us together once again

    It might not be soon
    Or even this lifetime
    When their faces I’ll see
    Coming near
    If You’d have it be
    In heaven I’ll greet them
    And Your glory we’ll see
    With hand in hand

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Little Lightning Bug

    This is another one of my children’s poems.  I love lightning bugs, and they usually start coming out in June (which is another reason it is my favorite month).  This poem is just my tribute to them.  The rhyme scheme is: abccb adccd etc.  Enjoy!

    June 16th, 2004

    Hello there, little lightning bug
    Can you help me find my home?
    I’ve lost the way
    Through fields of gray
    Looking at this bright blue dome

    Don’t be frightened, little lightning bug
    I don’t mean you any harm
    I meant to say
    I’d like to play
    For this night is very warm

    What’s that? Little lightning bug
    Are you glad you found a friend?
    Just for today
    In my hands you’ll stay
    I’m afraid the light should end

    Can this be, little lightning bug?
    We’ve found my home at last
    The moon lit the way
    I’ll be back to say
    Goodnight when the night has past

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Dreams in Church

    June 13th, 2004

    My eyes begin to sink behind the iron lids
    The many seats before me blur to gray
    The backs of the heads fade away til one remains
    Just the one head turns to face me
    Loving eyes and understanding
    Rises and walks while all stands still
    And sits beside me smiling
    We sit and talk and laugh a little
    We read my Bible for a while
    His gentle hand mine holds softly
    His voice like lullaby is lulling
    Peace and quiet are his eyes
    “Amen” and smile on my face
    A nudge from the side and a purse hits my head
    Muttered apology and weakened knees
    Wobbling to the back door
    Glancing back up to the altar
    Seeing that one head smile still

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: My Macedonia

    This poem is based on my personal life experiences as well as an occasion in the Bible:  Acts 16:6-10.  In this passage, Paul is desperate to get into Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit won’t allow him to enter into that countryside.  So, they (Paul, Silas, and possibly Timothy) go down to Troas and there Paul has a dream about a Macedonian man, beckoning Paul to come down to him.  Paul determines that God wants them to minister among those in Macedonia, so he goes…it’s there that he meets Lydia, and she and her whole house are converted.

    The place where it seems God has not and will not allow me to go is Nepal.  I’m not sure why, but I think that door is shut to me, and my only impact is on lives here in the US and prayer.  BUT, God has replaced the burning passion for Nepal with a dream and desire for China.  This is my poem to that…describing the oddity of such a transfer of feelings.  It’s beyond my will, but I know that I must go.

    May 26th, 2004

    These dreams of mine
    I give to You
    My heart and eyes
    Settle on Nepal

    Yet my ears hearken
    To a shushed voice calling
    Still, not weak
    Steady from the East

    My eyes look north
    But are drawn eastward
    As if in a dream
    Where is it from?

    My foot steps north
    Yet falls in the East
    My arm reaches north
    But is grasped from the East

    Macedonia has a new face
    The eyes, thin
    Faces yellow
    Eyes yearning for love.

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: The Oak and the Cardinal

    I was sitting in my car at a park and I was watching a cardinal fly from the branches of a bunch of the trees in front of me.  It made me think of a poem, and here it is.  I was just about to head off for my big trip in a month or so, therefore a message was on my mind, Missions.  The seed of the Gospel, those who stay, those who go…the necessity of both.  Enjoy.

    May 25, 2004

    A rush of wind
    Urges the trees to move forward
    The stubborn branches grasp their leaves with resolve
    The roots go deep
    Settled from long ago
    Dare to move the great oak.

    “How I long to be a bird,”
    Says the lowest branch.
    “To fly so freely,
    To be swept away, carried by the wind.”

    The cardinal lights on the branch,
    Plucks some seed from its clutch.
    One falls to the ground where the tall oak stands.
    The rest flit off with the cardinal,
    Finding a new home
    And new soil.

    Sarah ><>