Linda M. Crate- Three Poems

Your lantern

the glistening light
of Your presence
smiles of me
lanterns of truth
to cut through all the
darkness holding
me taut
You embrace me
with the flames
of stars
to burn away the
blemishes
clinging so tightly
to body and soul, showing
me that the right way
may not always
be easiest, but it is the
most rewarding
so i trust You because You're
the only friend that's never
let me down;
the only one that that's never
lied or afflicted me with
flagons of pain,
so i'd rather drink of Your
lantern lights of service and passion
than to burn out and become
a lifeless void,
just another oblivion
that You cannot use; a broken halo
refusing to emit the light it
should simply because i chose
the path of ignorance.




freed

when all the light ends
there is nothing
but the void of You
i've crawled trapped in my
sin all too long
You free me
from the bondage of chains
dragging me down
every chasm
of shame,
and i cannot thank You enough
for Your tender mercies
and blessing
flowing over me even when
i'm a spoiled and petulant child pulling
stubbornly away from Your hand
You gently call me back
from the vanity
of my own selfish wants and needs
forcing me to realize
that You have a higher purpose
for me, and that i can
heal that is not necessary for me to
wound as i've been wounded,
and i thank You for making
me a better person
than i would be without Your guidance.



christmas epiphany

You calm the tempest
in my soul,
make my rage dissipate
into oblivion
You are the reason
for the season
all the presents beneath the
christmas tree for without
your presence the
season is nothing
but miss
missing the point, missing the value, missing
the mark, missing You,
and Father
i don't want to make that mistake
again for i make it far too
oft push You aside
make excuses
yet You always give me the present
of mercy and grace and forgiveness
lead me back into the
countenance
of Your light
cause me to see the truth in ways
i hadn't considered, make me
believe in Your words
once more.