You can see Annie pushing her
old grocery cart out in the street.
Her clothes are ***** and torn,
she has no shoes on her feet.

People laugh at Annie because
of her downward condition.
Never knowing that they could
end up in the same position.

Annie stood out in the middle
of the street one day.
She brought traffic to a sudden
stop when she begun to pray.

Annie was asking God to give
her a brand new life.
Please remove all the criticism,
scorn and the hurtful strife.

You can say many things about
Annie and the way she lives.
But you can never take away the
love her heart has to give.

So the next time you see her and
you have mean things to say.
Annie could be the very one who
has to help you out one day.

Ted was a good guy, he had
plenty of friends.
No one could believe that his
life came to an end.

People would always say that
he had a great smile.
He would go the distance for
you, even walking a mile.

Ted worked ******* his job from
night to day.
If they needed someone to work
overtime, Ted would stay.

Suddenly one day he began to
feel terrible and strange.
This is day that everything in
Ted's life changed.

Doctor's ran blood test, cultures
and a whole lot more.
Ted's boss and the job selfishly
kicked him out of the door.

Suffering without insurance and
in a whole lot of pain.
Ted then decided to give up on life
because he felt he had nothing to gain.

Lord, if someone had just reached out
to lend Ted a helping hand.
We wouldn't have to be standing
out in the rain trying to understand.

One thing about Ted is he did the
very best that he could.
Satisfying his no good boss, job and
people who never understood.

Ted's insurance company let it be
known that they could care less.
Doing all that they could do to make
his life more of a mess.

So here we are talking all about Ted
leaving behind kids and a wife.
Nobody wants to face the facts of
why he took his own life.

Most would agree that suicide for
Ted was all so wrong.
Even the strongest of men have a
day when they are not strong.

Today the skies were sunny and
bright, but not for me.
People were out walking in the
streets, I had nowhere to be.

Somebody was singing karaoke
while hearing a favorite song.
I couldn't seem to do anything
right, without thinking wrong.

In the garage I found one of my
granddaughters favorite toys.
Then I found myself becoming
sad because I have no boys.

My wife saw something on sale,
she said I would like this honey.
I kept saying to myself, we just
don't have the money.

Usually I'm the one who could
tell the best told stories.
Nothing seem to be right anymore
since fibromyalgia stole my glory.

I understand the ritual between
Laila and I.
When she see me she cries as if
she's afraid of me.

In the beginning it broke my
heart because of who I am.
It's a ritual that shows me that
love can start with tears.

Patience is the key as the tears
in Laila eyes slowly fade.
Time allows me to sit, watch
and wait as joy find it's way.

The ritual teaches a lesson that
love isn't always so easy.
You may have to wait and let
the pieces fall in place.

In the end birds are singing
songs around Laila and I.
I understand how the ritual
goes because of who she is.

A rider slowly rode into town
during the darkness of night.
He knocked at my door and he
asked for a light.

He had a look in his eyes, one
that I've never seen.
I didn't want him at my place
because he seemed so mean.

I tried to find him a place to go
and to lay his head down.
He wasn't friendly at all nor did
his face cover up his frown.

He insisted that he was told by
someone to move into my place.
I tried to run him away instead
he punched me in the face.

I asked why was he here stepping
into my household.
The rider said that he was there to
cause me pain and to take control.

I stood there wondering to myself
is this little guy for real.
He replied; I'll hurt you forever and
the joy you have, I'm going to steal.

So he forced his way in and at the
table he grab himself a chair.
He called himself Satan, the master
of destruction, misery and despair.

The driver slowly drove down
a road called "Troubled Lane".
There were plenty signs along
the way that said "Stop".

He drove down "Sin Street" and
asked if I wanted to take a tour.
He suggested that we go down
the road called "Past".

He pointed out a sign that read
the "Road to Hell".
There was an arrow on a sign
pointing to the "Lake of Fire".

He quietly asked if I wanted to
tour "Outcast Boulevard".
Or follow the sign that pointed
toward "Destruction Row".

There was an option given to
turn toward "The Bible".
Finally the driver showed me the
sign that said "Repent".

Imagine the steps you take with
the sand under your feet.
The wind blowing at your back,
the sunlight's a treat.

Imagine ships sailing carelessly
out in the open sea.
You're resided to your cabin
sipping a cup of warm tea.

Imagine the wings of the seagulls
spreading effortlessly.
Racing after breadcrumbs that's
thrown in the air so unselfishly.

Imagine watching the sunset over
into the western skies.
These are the perfect images for
days when tears fill your eyes.

by: Willie J. Jennings
4/25/14