Brand New

I've been made brand new,
You took the canvas of my life,
torn and covered with unhealed wounds
and washed it clean
giving me a chance to paint hope.
Stone by stone the walls have crumbled
walls to keep others out,
walls that once held me captive
I'll take the stones and build
an alter of worship for you, Lord.
I'm breaking out of the mold
to be refined like silver
until all they see in me
is all of you
as you continue making me
brand new.

December 9, 2007

Peace Amidst The Storm

Waves of emotion crash all around
ceaselessly, without a care or second thought
driving me against the rocks
pulling me under and out with the tide
Strong arms suddenly take hold of me
holding me in an unrelenting grasp
with them surrounding me,
I know I am safe
Placed now upon the shore
I catch my breath and look out at the sea
that would once have been my grave
Here there is peace at last
away from the fear and anger of the waves.

October 5, 2007

Faith

Father my faith is so small
and my eyes are closed tight shut
How can I jump into Your arms
if I am forever forgetting
You're already holding me?

Open my eyes that I might see
clearly what You have in store for me
Quicken my feet to walk, jump and leap
in steps of faith and freedom
in alignment with Your will.

This is my prayer
Amen.

August 28, 2007

In My Dreams

Hello there, my darling
how are you this evening?
I hope this letter finds you well

It seems I'm at a loss for words these days
Not knowing what to say,
or when to say what I know

I can say what I always do,
I love you,
but I'm still waiting until "we" are more than just words

You are just a dream to me
for now, I'll be satisfied
Good night, I'll see you in my dreams

July 19, 2007

Journey To The Mount

Come, take a journey with me
Come alone, come as you are
It will take everything you have
Every ounce of strength
And an abundance of faith

I will help you along the way,
But you will need to trust me
There is one thing you must remember,
You must come alone

This is your journey
Your friends, family, neighbours, leaders
Will take their own journey
And they will take it alone

Here is the path, start walking
Walk and trust and your path
Will have a bit of light
Learn to trust me when there is no light

Don't give in to fear of the dark
I am always with you
Listen to my voice
And follow me

June 24, 2007

Chasing Butterflies

I am a child running through an open meadow
The sunlight dances upon my curls,
the grass tickles me around the legs and arms
My laughter rings out,
joining the sounds of warm summer

Here I go, chasing this way, darting that
following a butterfly
eluding my grasp
We play this game of tag
though it seems I've been "it" forever

She alights on a blossom-laden branch
and rests awhile
Here is my chance for victory
Slowly, ever so slowly I pace towards her
Snap! a branch breaks under my careful foot
and away she flies

No fear! challenge makes the reward more sought after
Resuming the chase, I dance and jump
then stop and drink in my surroundings
The warm sun, the cool breeze,
a meadow lark calling for a friend

The butterfly takes an opportunity to rest
Still within sight, I lay in the long, cool grass
looking at the clouds;
the big fluffy kind that become shapes in my mind
I find peace in this moment

Light as a whisper, the butterfly finds a new landing place
seated on my outstretched hand
I cautiously bring her closer
with motions smooth and delicate I examine her beauty

She came to me when I was at rest
and took a chance in trusting me to care for her
A bond is formed somewhere deep within us both
Satisfied, she takes to the air once more
I stand, and our journey begins
Together.

June 9, 2007

Rambling Shambles

What a blasted conundrum I've found myself in
over a series of events,
some rather unfortunate of late,
I have been hurt
and become very confused.

Seeking counsel of others
asking them to fix this problem
and recieving different solutions.

Solutions to this equation are more often
than not
easier to talk about
than to put in to practice.

For example, "Just stop"
very wise words
though seemingly impossible to start.

How does one 'Just stop'
just put an end to
or give up on something
that began so long ago?

The goodness of stopping,
would benefit in self preservation,
but what of the others involved?

That's only one option of course,
although probably one of the most sensible
it's the one which will take the most
discipline and warring prayers.

Another way is to continue in love,
which, at the moment, is one sided
and causing me to be hurt.

My love won't ever stop,
but the efforts I've been putting forth
must
for I must also guard my heart above all else.

So this blasted conundrum I've found myself in,
has no easy answer
and I must deal with the choice I make.

May 25, 2007

Travelling the Road Called Life

So many people
travelling on the road of life
with busy schedules and agendas
dictating their every step
occasionally meeting another on the path
with time enough to chat
leaving their mark on the other's life
without time enough to clean up the shadows
we fear getting too close
for fear of getting hurt
and fear of the others finding who we really are
so we continue on our way
quickly side-stepping around intimacies
putting forth the accepted formalities
not realizing that there may have been one
in desperate need of a shared intimacy
who may have only needed a smile, a touch
or a shoulder to cry on
would it have been so hard
to share a bit more time?
Time is money, and we choose to spend it
not sharing freely
and so there are those out there
travelling alone and hurting
becoming victims of their own demise
leaving crosses along the roadside
which are duly noted
and then passed by
what will it take to offer hope to the ones still travelling?
We've become cynical and jaded
thinking others expect to get something for themselves
everytime they offer generosity with a genuine heart
we push them away
and walk away with our backs turned
carrying our wounds with us
passing by the ones who've met a dead end
not imparting wisdom to those at a fork in the road
we must realize the most important thing
this a shared journey
we are not alone
Dear traveller on this road called life
you are not alone
reach out to someone
and you may find
they were in need of someone too

May 19, 2007

Trust

You had it
you built it
you stretched it
to the border's limit
You tested it
you abused it
you took it
completely for granted
You used it
you twisted it
you manipulated it
for your own purposes
You had it
you lost it
you want it
but can't have it back

May 7, 2007

Sunny Skies And Days Gone By

Where have all the children gone?
There are only remnants and faint clues
of the happiness and frivolity
that once colored these crowded streets

Now everyone rushes about
too busy to stop in for coffee
with too many projects and deadlines
to make time for a day in the sun

The innocence has been lost
hearts hardened as reality sank its teeth in
leaving the mark of regret
dreams forgotten for the sake of the corporate ladder

Soft traces of originality can yet be seen
though few make it past the assembly line
beat out by enhancements to economy's pockets
which themselves have holes and hands reaching in

Where are the children? you ask
They followed the sunny skies
untainted by corruption and deceit
leaving in their wake wishes for days gone by

April 26, 2007

Cashmere and Lace

Set the scene, dim the lights
the show is about to start
Open the curtains, quiet now, watch
a child dances and flits
carelessly across the stage
She trips and misses a step
crashing to the floor
the dress was too long, not made for her
The Prop Master walks onto the stage
carrying in his arms a gown
of soft cashmere and lace
They exchange costumes
a perfect fit
As she begins her dance again,
her hair becomes unpinned
loose curls flowing freely
The dance is beautiful
she dances no longer for the crowded audience
but as herself
for an audience of One

April 12, 2007

Lift the Veil

Child, you are beautiful
You are my bride
perfect, without spot or blemish
My arms are open
welcoming you to my presence
There is no shame
no veil that covers you
Come and meet with me

March 24, 2007

Jigsaw Heart

Arranging words like jigsaw pieces
trying to put together
the pieces of my
broken heart

None seem fit to describe the emptiness
left by the puzzle workers
who added their pieces to mine
and took them again
leaving a hole
stretching the pieces
of my broken heart

March 16, 2007

Ocean of Emotion

Rhyme without reason
mind filled with wonderings
thoughtlessly regurgitated for all to see
a constant ebb and flow through each changing season
the tide comes and then it goes
leaving a mess of emotional debris in its wake
clinging, holding tight to the sand
refusing to return to where freedom flows

March 13, 2007

Hear Me

Can you hear me?
Calling out to you
in weakness and in pain
I pray you answer my cry.

God do you hear me?
All I need is you
through storms and sunny times
Reveal who you are to me.

Can you hear me?
Whispering your name
in the wind and through the rain
I am with you always.

Child do you hear me?
Let me be your everything
you are my desire and I delight in you
You are mine.

March 9, 2007

Love Be Enough

For a perfect life, this is what I dream,
a place with an inspiring view, uninterrupted by the concrete jungle
where creation comes together to worship as one;
a fire that never grows cold, a sun to warm my face;
a comfortable chair and interesting company
together we stand looking out, captivated by the beauty of God's nature

I'd be ever ready, with pen and paper
striving to capture and emmulate the Master Artist's work;
there wouldn't be the pressure of pleasing the publishers
I write for Him and He teaches, heals, reveals truth and inspires me

For this to be even better,
there would be others to share my life and gifts with;
someone to love me as I am
children to pass wisdom and a legacy to

Still, if I never have any of this
let love be enough.

March 6, 2007

Garden Jewel

Outside my window is a bright little hummingbird
busily flitting around the garden
always moving, never resting
Sweet little jewel, slow your beating wings
rest upon my window sill
let me be your friend
From flower to flower, your journey never ceasing
giving and taking until your work is done
stop and catch your breath
Inside my heart, there lives a little hummingbird
a flighty little gem hidden from the world
it's time for the hummingbirds
to find a place to rest

February 22, 2007

Catching Up

Session one
so here we are again
a ringing bell intrudes on the silence
Take a seat, wait awhile
walk the hall once more
let memories flood the senses
Dig through the past
the joy, pain, and frustration
drawing the past years to a summation
Recall the events
refuse to feel the emotions attached
watch a dozen passing seasons

February 9, 2007

This is Truth

My Child My Child
I have never let you go
I've proved my love to you
time and again
I'll do it again
You are worth the price I paid
and so much more
You don't deserve to believe
the lies you hear
You deserve my love
I am for you, not against you
My child, you are Mine
I am the Author of your Life
let me tell you a story
A tale of beauty, sacrifice and redemption
This is how it starts:
I, your Father, love you,
my beautiful child
A child who is growing into a beautiful bride
I have already begun to woo you
You've captured me
let me capture your heart
I'll put back the pieces and dry your tears
This is not who I meant you to be
I see only radiance
Can you not see it too?
Cast off the veil and behold
the beauty I created
which is Joanna Rose Metz
I created you just the way you are
and though lies have tried to steal
the beauty I made
they have been found lacking
Their slings and arrows cannot penetrate or tamper
with my truth that I've whispered to your heart
Your spirit remembers the words whispered,
"My Kingdom and my love and my work
is not complete
if I don't have you."
You are loved and are an integral part of me

February 1, 2007

Structures of Substitution

Substitutes for life and love
Leave their mark like poor carbon copies
The original blue-prints carelessly forgotten
Acceptance of immitations satisfy society

From time to time there are a few
who pick up the plans and dust them off
They rebuild upon foundations of truth
Structures rise up more beautiful than the copies

Newly built, they tell of love's full measure
And the full extent of life's beauty
But these masterpieces are few
Still others try to emulate their beauty

This cycle has and will go on for many generations
Leaving us with beauty and vain attempts
There will be a day, when foundations will be tested
Revealing the strong and true forms of Life
And Love

January 31, 2007

Do's and Don'ts of Life

Don't complain about the cold,
take this opportunity to drink coffee, read and relax
Don't waste the day dreaming,
get out there, make your dreams come true
Don't worry about the love you lost or don't have
prepare your heart for the what's to come
Don't let yourself starve or induldge too much,
find a healthy balance that your emotions won't override
Don't listen to the lies of the past,
cling to the hope that brings new life

January 20, 2007

Labyrinth

Little girl, where are you going?
Can you hear my voice anymore little girl?
Little girl, stop running
look up, I Am here with you.

You turn another corner
enticed by the neon signs and pretty music
Don't you see? They are drowning me out
making it harder for you to hear my voice.

Little girl, I hear your racing heart
fear not, rest in me and I will give you peace.
Little girl, don't wait for another dead end,
break down the walls and find your freedom.

You put up the walls to keep them out
so they couldn't hurt you, or break your dreams
The walls you've constructed
have separated you from me.

I've tried climbing your walls, little girl
but you just keep building them higher.
Little girl, the walls must come down now
break them down, before they break down you.

January 19, 2007

Invitation to Dance

Candles shine brightly against the polished floor
conversation and music softly mingle
the floor's radiance invites the people to dance
He extends his hand to you,
"May I have this dance?"
Shyly, you take the offered hand and rise
His strength is sure and gentle as he leads you
gliding across the floor together
in perfect time and rhythm with the music
His arms hold you tightly
a grip not of force, but of love

Jesus asks to dance with you every day
He is captivated by your beauty
promising to lead you through the dance
His hand is extended in invitation,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me." (Song of Solomon 2:10)
Your heart is filled with joy and excitement
you have been pursued, romanced
and accept the invitation to play an irreplaceable role

Take His hand,
Dance

January 12, 2007

100th poem

Joy is a Bicycle

Oh, what to write?
The possibilities are endless,
yet something holds me back
Is it that I'm not used to writing joy
that I've been penning my depression
for so long, that it's all I know to write?
A pen and piece of paper gave me release
If I wrote about a feeling,
I no longer had to deal with it
Was my writing just another bottle
holding the pain, hurt and darkness?
I haven't stopped writing because I no longer feel,
but what I feel is easier to show
and I enjoy showing it, rather than only writing it
It is, I hope, written all over my face
I don't want to stop writing
it's come to be such a huge part of me
I guess I'm just stuck
in transition to finding a way to write
this feeling that feels so strange
I know I'll find a voce for this joy someday
it will be like riding a bike;
the first attempts can be a bit shaky
soon, I'll be riding like a pro

January 12, 2007

Words To My Beloved

Here she comes, my Beloved, my Bride
she is robed in beauty and a crown of glory rests on her head
I've waited for her patiently
watching her grow and mature into a lovely woman
I am proud to call her mine
She is lovely and worthy of my love
she has kept her love for me pure
for this she shall be praised
I yearned for her and beckoned her to search for me
through her search she found I was there with her
We held one another close and spoke words of love to one another
She is my Beloved, I am her Lover
No one can take her from me
together we are one
I have placed a song in her heart
a secret song meant for me alone
The day is coming when she will sing it with passion
When she is frightened, I am there to comfort her
I reassure her with my love
Soon we will be joined in a great ceremony
Then I will speak her true name
a name even the angel's lips cannot utter
I rejoice over you, my Darling, my Beloved
My Bride

January 8, 2007

Again

Do you ever get tired of hearing it?
"God, I'm sorry, I wanted control
again"
I asked you to heal my heart
then took it back
again
trying to tape and glue it back together
bandaging over the deep cracks
again
So, do you ever get tired of hearing it?

Don't you get tired of saying it?
"Pappa help me out, I can't do it on my own
again"
Everytime, I try to heal your heart
you took it back from me
again
You know the adhesive of man's love can't mend it
it only deepens the cracks
again
And no, I never tire of hearing you call for help
again

Let me be your ezer
I will help you through the wounds
again
Give me the shattered areas of your heart
we'll do this together
again
Our hearts are not that different, Child
I want to speak truth into your life
again
Don't give up, call out to me
again.

January 5, 2007

The Measure of a Picture

You walk by and take a look at my curves
I walk away, taking your look for one of disgust
You don't see what I do,
when you see "more to love"
I only see more I need to lose

You're gorgeous and deny it with every breath
I wish I could look like you
I know I'd pop every button on your clothes
And those leggings you wear?
Like sausage casings on me

I find myself staring at your picture
enchanted by your beauty
I suck it in, will I ever measure up?
That picture for you, saved a life
for me, a reminder of what I am not

January 5, 2007

Coming Down the Tracks

I've been tied down to these tracks
unable to move, unable to change my destiny
I see the train coming towards me
I see, yet didn't expect it to come this fast

I watch as it barrels down the tracks
picking up momentum, with no track switch in sight
I hear its gears grinding against each other
I hear, but didn't expect it to be this deafening

I feel the vibrations of the tracks
rattling and jostling, the ropes still hold fast
I feel as the great iron beast slams into me
I feel, not expecting it to hurt this much

I knew the train was placed by me on the tracks
fuelled by anger, loneliness that could not be contained
I knew it was coming for me
I knew, why didn't I stop it?

January 4, 2007

Unanswered Questions

Daddy, daddy, do you love me?
Daddy, daddy, do you think I'm pretty?
Daddy, daddy, I'm confused
I don't know who you want me to be.

Daddy, daddy, do you love me?
Daddy, daddy, will you hold me please?
Daddy, daddy, I'm unsure
I don't understand why you're repulsed by me.

Daddy, daddy, do you love me?
Daddy, daddy, will you come watch my play?
Daddy, daddy, I'm hurt
I guess your meetings are more important.

Daddy, daddy, do you love me?
Daddy, daddy, will I ever be enough?
Daddy, daddy, I'm sorry
I guess I'm just too much to handle.

Daddy, daddy, do you love me?
Daddy, daddy, do you think I'm pretty?
Daddy, daddy, I'm asking
Please don't let my Question go unanswered.

January 3, 2007

To Die For

Come in, have a seat, I just made fresh buns
Oh, thanks, but I just ate and I'm not hungry
Do you want to come over, we'll order pizza
Sure, make it a large, I'm starving tonight!
Are you okay? You've been in there a long time
I'm fine, I think the pizza was bad or something

Let the food pass you by, and muffle your raging stomach
You know the next bite will cost more than you've got
Then again, eat it all, spare no crumb
Turn the water on, so they can't hear you gagging
The object of your affection is to be thin and pretty
Will you ever acheive a beauty to die for
Or die for the beauty you hunger?

This is not a game you play with casual whim
You feel in control, but are only being controlled by it
The outcome is uncertain, but the pain along the way
Makes you uncertain of which will come first,
Being starved for beauty, or robbed of what you have now?

January 1, 2007

Broken Promises

I promise I won't drink tonight
but now I've lost count
I promise that I love you
but now I've lost us
Broken promises and broken hearts
I promise I'll call you tonight
but now I lost the time
I promise to make it up to you
but now I've lost faith
Broken promises and broken friends
I promise not to lie to you
but now I've lost my story
I promise its the truth this time
but now I've lost trust
Broken promises and broken lives

Promises are broken and it happens all the time
but things that break, can be mended
When you seem to lose everything,
remember you sill have us
We'll be here to support you
just like we've been before
One night of broken promises doesn't change our love
it is stronger than a few too many drinks
We're here to give you what you need
a shoulder to cry on, a number to call
Let us pick you up when you're down
our's is a friendship built strong to withstand the bumps in the road

I promise we love you tonight
and now I hope you know our love will never change
I promise you can call us tonight
and now I'll hold your hand again if you need me
Unbreakable friendship mends broken hearts

Dedicated to my friend, a cool guy with a lip ring. I love you too.

January 1, 2007