tonight I judge a man without
knowing his name.
my thoughts were the worst
with no mercy to gain.

we've never spoken before nor
did I know where he lived.
my view of him were the bad
comments that I had to give.

he didn't know I was there
until he turned around.
when he looked at me, I saw
a face without a frown.

smile he did as if that was all
his face knew how to do.
he excused himself and said
to me may God bless you.

thinking to myself and all the
bad thoughts I had.
judgment on an unknown man
sure was sad.

he walked away and before he
completely left.
he turned and ask me could I
find God within myself.

strange as it was, the question
totally made my day.
as if God stepped in and said
don't treat a man that way.

here I am judging a man and
who he was I didn't know.
it could have been the face
that God decided to show.

Passing through the night only to greet
the morning in a purple haze.
The brain is floating inside my head as
the fog resides leaving me in a daze.

The weight of an anvil holds me down
because my strength has gone away.
Adventures that's going on outside have
no baring's, so I stay in bed all day.

The pins beneath my skin get worst as
they dig deeper with every sting.
I want to fly away sometimes but fate
leaves me without my wings.

Hidden from the world, I cover myself
with depression and grief.
Sad, distraught and more worrying takes
the place of unfound relief.

Memory loss comes frequent but it won't
let me forget about the pain.
Driving me crazier and crazier when the
weather decides to change to rain.

Trapped inside a forest without roads
or clear paths to lead me out.
Forced to live in a world without a cure
that doctors can't seem to figure out.

Soles ran down on the edges,
rubber, wood, plastic and other
manmade material they all walk the same.

Scuff marks, some unpolished,
dust on top, dirt on the bottom and
some wet from the puddles in the street.

Name brands, some unknown,
faded, two tones, heels high and low,
some have taken on many countless steps.

Strings laced, untied and tight,
some small and long, medium, large
and some come in x's, size 0 to 14 and more.

Gators, leather, cloth, and eel,
other synthetic fibers and filaments,
some cheap and some tagged as the very best.

Made for comfort and specialties,
colors of black, brown, red, and blue
midnight, taupe, white, orange and pink.

Universally worn by most,
one size that fits the world for sure
whether they're old, used or shiny new.

Today was a day of torment for me,
I couldn't run, I could not hide.
The demons I couldn't escape and it
didn't matter how hard I tried.

Even though today was a brand new
day, I can't seem to out-run my past.
Every good thought I tried to focus on,
somehow they just would not last.

I picked up my bible and read a Psalm
to help erase some of my doubt.
I forget to do that at times, forgetting
that's what the bible is all about.

Maybe I'll sleep good tonight and I'll
forget about the troubles of today.
Maybe I should go on and give in to
God and let him lead the way.

Stubborn acts of defiance will always
keep me down.
I have to open my eyes and try Jesus,
to let Him turn my life around.

How can I love thy neighbor
if I hate his guts.
Why should I tolerate people
who drive me nuts.

Why try to please someone if
I'm not in love.
How can I find a star at night
if I don't look at the sky above.

How can I find a job if I really
don't look.
Why should I care to read mess
that's all over facebook.

Why should I keep backing a
losing sports team.
How could I make reality of a
long lost dream.

How can I find myself if I'm
always loss.
Why should I buy anything if
I can't afford the cost.

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

Somebody is sitting out on the porch
with no food to eat.
There is little kid standing out in the
street with no shoes on his feet.

Momma's gone away from home for
up to three days at a time.
Poppa is out on the corner drinking
up his last dime.

Nobody could have convinced me
that nobody else was aware.
Somebody should have told me that
the world didn't care.

Why am I the only one feeling all of
this pain.
Left without any kind of dreams with
nothing to gain.

Somebody please tell me that better
times are ahead.
If things remain as they are, somebody
could end up dead.

Pinch me to let know that this feeling
isn't for real.
Somebody please let me know that during
my lifetime I can find a better deal.

Even at my age today there are many
things that I don't understand.
Things like political pressures and the
many failures of me being a man.

Why are there so many struggles in
our world and our given life.
Why do people do so much cruelty
to separate a man from his wife.

Who are we and why do we as people
take little comfort in our own existence.
Does the evils of the world form the way
for review of our life long assistance.

What will the single man do for himself
if in this world he is left all alone.
How will he survive to see another day
without his wife, children and a home.

We rather detonate a nuclear bomb to
defeat our friends and even an enemy.
Even the dog will leave home realizing
that even he has an unclear ending.

Count the days until we reach the end
of so many wasted days and nights.
Why are there so many people who has
all the answers and never get it right?

The melody comes from black and white,
sensitive, strong, fast or slow.
It all depends on the player and sometimes
it all depends on the keys they know.

The  melodies can take you down the streets
and alleys of Broadway.
It can change the way you sometime feel
on any given day.

The crowds cheer and there are times when
the crowds may cry.
The sound creeps and searches the heart of
a man like an unexpected spy.

Dramatic strikes it takes for the young and
the people of old.
Creating sounds of the utmost at times
that fulfills the joy of a soul.

There are open trap doors
lying up ahead.
Sometimes we can get ******
in and could end up dead.

Pitfalls setup by some whom we
consider to be a friend.
They're not happy with you, unless
you're trapped in a lion's den.

Smiling faces sometimes, they
can seem so dear.
They can also cause so much pain
like the pierce of a spear.

We live in a world where respect
seem to no longer exist.
Some people like to see you down
living as their accomplice.

Dad picked me up and we walked
to the store.
He always picked up candy and he
asked if I wanted more.

Dad would put me down to let
me wonder through the isles.
I traveled through a wonderland
of candy in piles.

Long round sticks holding big
round swirling lollipops.
Dad would ask me with a smile
to grab some candy drops.

Those are good sweet sugar coated
memories of what my dad and I did.
He kept the candy coming even when
mom said its too much for the kid.

Silence in the room please, would
you please stop talking.
Listen and learn because there is a
voice speaking softly.

The voice said nothing about pain,
nor screams of destruction.
Listen closely, the voice speaks about
love, understanding and peace.

Be quiet and listen to everything that
this voice has to say.
It whispers the sounds that only God
directs to be said.

Listen and follow the directions that's
been given to you.
Walk away from all things that is not
suitable in the eyes of the Lord.

This voice speaks quietly to us all on
a one on one basis.
This voice speaks to us daily and all
through the night.

Listen I said, the voice has a message
for you and I.
It whispers words that we may never
hear again at a moments notice.

The voice speaks quietly again as
it tells us to lay our heads down.
Sleep, sleep, sleep and then there
is a sudden silence.

Listen, the voice has gone away
and it speaks no more.
We all had a choice to follow the
voice of God, how did we do?

There are storms in this world that
sometime make us all want to cry.
God keeps His umbrella of love open
on rainy days to keep us dry.

There are days when we experience
at least two types of weather.
God said that He'll never leave our
sides, for He'll make it better.

Trust in Him to protect us because our
bible tells us so.
God use these rainy days to always
make our flowers grow.

So when the storms come and we
think today is going to be a mess.
Be mindful and think about all the
sunny days when we've been bless.

A bridge came tumbling down today
just as I made it to the other side.
There was no reason for me to look
back because the road was clear ahead.

In my God's world there are many paths
that are not straight for many reasons.
For He chose these roads for me to seek
out His glory in desperate times of need.

There are signs on the side of the road
that say turn to the left and to the right.
There are signs strategically placed with
a  911 number in case of an emergency.

There are many paths that God has made
for us that goes up and sometimes down.
Leading us through the storms of life with
a promise to see Him at the end of the road.

I feel empty inside today
but this is just another day.
yesterday was horrible but
I did lived to see this day.

Tomorrow should be filled
with joy, hope and dreams
but it's still just another day
for me to live one more day.

I accepted yesterday because
I made it through that day.
even though I'm in pain today
I look forward to a better day.

There is no reason for me to
keep thinking about yesterday.
When God is blessing me to live
this day to see a brand new day.

When winter comes snowflakes fall
Icy weather is on call
Now it's time to bundle up
Tea and hot cocoa in our cups
Entertaining ourselves with Christmas fun
Running down snow slopes to get our snowman done.

The storm kept coming and
the rain kept hitting my face.
But the Lord kept telling me
He's in charge of this race.

There were days when I
couldn't find a friend.
Jesus said He was there to
stand by me until the end.

There were times when I
cried into the night hours.
God woke me up the next
day with His Holy power.

Even in my weakest times
and I felt I couldn't go on.
Jesus picked me up and He
taught me right from wrong.

I had to ask the Lord why did
He choose a man like me.
He said even sinners like me
deserves to be set free.

Standing alone waiting for a
message from God.
Watching to see Him walking
down the hallway of my heart.

The room is quiet as the door
opens slowly, a fresh breeze of
calmness moves in and takes
a seat across from me.

A gentle voice speaks to me,
whispering and saying that the
choice to follow Him is always
and completely left up to me.

He says if you like roses and
streets made of gold, rivers
that are pure and fresh and
the sun lights up the skies.

I'm offering you a chance
He said, to just follow me.
It came as a surprise and
why was He asking me.

Wanting to explain about all
the bad and wrong I've done.
He quietly raised His hand
to tell me that it's never to late.

All of these things He knew
would come to pass. They're
called trials and tribulations
yet He's giving me a chance.

The book of life was written
and my name is surely there.
Nevertheless the decision to
go with Him is still up to me.

Jesus woke me up at 1:30 a.m.
He told me to tell you that
there are some people that
you just can't please.

No matter what we need or
what ask for, we want miracles
and we want them now, and
yet we all have a desire but
we refuse and forget to get
down on our knees in prayer.

Jesus, I want this and I want
that, we want Him to make
a mountain of treasures for
us, sometimes we use and
we're most likely to abuse.

Jesus has a pure and clean
heart and He's a very willing
and cheerful giver, all He ask
is that we kneel down to Him
and pray for it's an easy task.

Some of us won't get to
share all of His mercy and
His glory. Jesus wants us to
know that we can all contact
Him anytime and believing
His incredible bible story.

He doesn't want to be the
only one working fulfilling
our daily needs, we need to
show Him some humility by
falling to our knees in prayer.

Quiet and peacefully she slept,
in my arms an angel felt safe
A new addition to add to my
name she's called Laila.

3:21 in the morning she came
while I waited in my sleep
To welcome her in my old
granddaddy like way.

When I first saw her beautiful
little gray eyes open up.
Laiala Aariel put a stamp
of love deeper into my heart.

Born at 7lbs. 6oz. she was
like a little feather of love
All I could do was to grin
Saying I'm a grandad again.

There's a number of times when
we do things without seeking
God first.
We go on as if He doesn't exist
we run, we hide, we're bold
we're selfish and we deny His
will to help and we destroy.

The stars of the night, He  has
bless us to see by the promise
of our eyes opening during the
beginning of the day.
We lie, we cheat, we forget His
glory of each passing minute
when we don't pray.

The weaknesses of the world
comes crashing down upon
us at the blink of an eye.
Bringing troubles that seems
unbearable at times simply
because we think we can
do anything without putting
God first.

Sometimes you get stuck in a place
and you don't know what to do
You hear cries in the night, you
look around, theres nobody there.

Who is it, who am I, who are you
why are you here and what do we
want, we just don't know and we
keep wondering why is it us.

The silence is all around you and
it has me covered with dismay
you don't care and we are lost in
turmoil of what we just may be.

How do we get out of this mess
what do I do to be removed from
who and what you are and you
be ridden of who I just may be.

Will we continue to sink into the
darkness that's inside of me
must I continue to suffer the
bitterness of who you really are.

The flowers are dead all around me
and the ground on which you are
standing on the grass will never grow
no spring and there is no sunshine

Empty spaces for you and the fun
of the circus don't exist for me
why are we here and who am I
and what will you turn out to be.

Night begins to fall in
you can't sleep
Darkness finally comes
you begin to weep

You tremble inside as
he approach your door
You count every step as
he creep across your floor

Unwanted touches that
cause you so much pain
You feel guilty and you
carry so much shame

You're being told that
nobody should find out
You're being promised
hurt and that's no doubt

He force you to believe
that everything is alright
You feel something inside
that say you should fight

Stop the madness and
this is a true fact
Tell someone your story
and take your life back

A: always full of greed and the destruction of others
B: believes the world owes her something for free
O: others were nothing to her but a stepping stone
R: ran others away when they saw her coming
T: told lies just to get her own selfish way in life
I: insist on causing others pain, she has no clue
O: one man stands up to her no matter what the cost
N: never knew his unborn child because she didn't care

Out on the ocean you see colors
blue green, purple, blue, etc.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone just like me.

Out on the ocean you just may
find the sunlight and the rain.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone in pain.

Out on the ocean you can see
the stars and even the moon.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone who died to soon.

Out on the ocean you feel the
wrath of an unexpected wave.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone who has been saved.

Out on the ocean you will see
a fish and a flying sea gull.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone who has no love.

Out on the ocean you can take
a look down and see your face.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone who's lost in space.

Out on the ocean you can and
somehow forget about bad times.
If you look closer you'll even
see someone who God did find.

A pretty smile she had
hair black and wavey
She liked to tell us stories
about a snake crawling
through a hole under the
bed.
She seem to always be
happy whenever we came
to town. She convinced me
talking about that snake I
found it very hard to lay
my head down.

I often wondered if it was
her own private joke just to
see what I would do. I loved
going to Mississippi to show
that I loved her too.
Miss Callie Mae was a joy
to me, each and every time
It was something very, very
specical about this lady
who was a grandmother
of mine.

Current events keeps clashing
with the events of the pass
Leaving me broken and sad
shattered inside like broken glass

A voice keeps saying to me
you know right from wrong
Giving me a clear path to the
keys and melody of Jesus song

Surrounded and tormented by
nothing but darkness and pain
That's a lot of weight for one man
carrying such guilt and shame

Praying to listen and learn how
to pick up my bags to move on
I've decided to climb the tallest
mountain to hear Jesus song

When I really think about it all
there's really no better choice
How cool would it be for a man
standing to hear His sweet voice

I'm asking for forgiveness and a
prayer to keep growing strong
It's time to leave the pass behind
to live by the words of Jesus song

A bright light came shining through
shining brightly saying I Love You
As the crash came, I saw her face
she just smiled and left without a trace.

She was sent as an angel for my protection
to take my life towards a diffrent direction
If I know Mae, she did all that she could
She talked to God as I knew she would.

She took me under her wings only to fly
She removed a situation so I wouldn't die
Mae made it clear for me to understand
She said God wants me to be a better man.

The cans are empty, no money
in the jar.
can't ride the bus, don't even  
own a car.

The phone won't ring nor
make a single sound.
can't wear shoes to keep my
barefeet off the ground.

The stove won't burn, cause
there ain't no gas.
can't drink water or even
wash a single glass.

The world is dark and filled
with doubt.
can't find my way around,
cause the lights are out.

I had a dream about a witch,
she stood in my path trying
to ask for forgiveness for
murders she committed some
years ago.

yet I have nothing to offer
her, nor do I care about her
nor do I care about her wishes,
the witch could have made the
better sacrafice years ago.

the witch chose to **** my
family blood for the sake of
a sack of change, a career
she never had the talent to be,
someone told her she was cute.

the witch allowed this poison
to go to her head, seven snakes,
an abortion knife and a brother
who never had the guts to tell
her no.

the witch killed me with an
double edged sword in which
i call ****** for money and
life for money all stirred in
a boiling *** of deadly brew.

in the end the witch always
perish from the spells that she
casted upon others, somewhere
she picks up the vile, drinks
from it and then she die.

You can explain things to a man
but does he really listen, no
he has it in his mind that no
matter what he's always right.

Man let pride get in the way
and instead of seeing truth,
he wants the world to think
cool be he and he be cool.

You can point to the problem
yet he'll refuse to see it, and
then man will turn and blame
it all on you.

An unbreakable image for
what the the world must see,
all the time afraid like a boy
screaming, i want to be a man.

Our worlds are totally far apart,
my life is full of destruction and
loneliness, its like a broken down
boxcar that sits in the ghetto

Our eyes met and I see you
everyday riding the trains
and walking the streets
of India, good or bad I don't
know

Our dreams may be different
I only dream of you in gold
and diamonds and a will to
always protect you

Our train ride together offers
me a chance to leave my world
behind, only to join you and
your breathe-taking smile

Our thoughts about life and
who we protect are the same,
kind hearts beat that way and
you make mine beat in a very
special way

Our journey like the train, goes
in different paths with you never
knowing that when our eyes meet
you take me wherever you go

sometimes you have to wallop in
the mess thats created around you.
you try to run, you can't get away
you try to hide but you're always
seen.

scream as loud as you can, but no
one really cares about what you're
going thru, so it seems that you're
out there all alone, nobody but you.

get up, face it, what do you expect
someone to come running to solve
the mess you've made.
no one can make this right,
except you.

stand up for yourself and stop
looking for self pity. before you
created this awful, awful mess
you were doing just fine, weren't
you.

Smile in your face and place
you on top of a mountain.
Only to drag you down for
the amusement of the town.

Religion he claims for the
whole world to see,
a member of pure darkness,
con artist and a liar.

Prestige, a sense of falseness
cleverly put into play.
A game for the kisser and
no room for the weak.

No yards to be gain as the
quarters come to an end.
In the end its all worth it
because you will learn.

Mesmerizing, soft sounds it could be
a melody of construction,
      destruction, a flame that flickers
within, it calls out to you.

It paints a clear picture on canvas
thats sometimes unseen
      by the naked eye.
the sun, the moon, even uneven
darkness.

Rainbows appear from its smooth
and unlikely string.
  madness, a sense of artful colors
performs in the mind.

Melodies that mean no harm,
   that touches all of the
       world in a single time and
place, most of all the heart.

Mothers are cool too, because if it
wasn't for her then there would
be no you.

She says no when you want to
hang out after dark. She's the one
who picks you up when you fall
in the park.

When you get sick, mothers stay
up all night. Worrying herself close
to death trying to make you alright.

She washes your clothes, she feed
you. She'll give you her last dime.
She'll come to your defense, when
others treat you unkind.

Never take for granted all the joy
a mother gives. Passing by a last  
dying breathe, just to let you live.

Mothers wear flat shoes because
thru the years they walk a lot of
miles. Doing all that they can
just to make you smile.

Sometime the world may seem to be
the most cruelest place to be.
Do what you can to change it and
always let your heart be free.

You'll run into roads that seem to lead
to nothing but pain.                                                            ­                        
Remember God promised sunshine
after every season of rain.

Always be aware that there are others
who are less fortunate than you.
Create a pattern of charity in your life
thats completely genuine and true.

Paint a picture of your life with lots of
bright colors and filled with lots of joy.
Hang it on the wall of the world for
all to read, cherish and never destroy.

Granddaddy I'm having the most
difficult time, that's what she said
to me.

I laughed to myself and said to her,
my love what could your problem
possibly be.

Granddaddy I'm cleaning out my
toybox she said. I have to get it
under controll.

I laughed to myself and I just could
not believe. these were the words
of an six year old.

We talked a little while longer and
I assured her that she could conquer
whatever she set out to do.

She giggled with pride and before
she hung up the phone, she said
Granddaddy I love you too.

Sometimes changes seem unfair
Especially if it seems nobody else
seem to care.

Walking this world going from
place to place, never finding one
to fill the empty space.

Changes sometimes come and
they may surely go, like notes to
a song that nobody know.

This world of ours has falling so
far behind. Maybe we can turn it
around before the end of time.