Because
I have known despair
I value hope

Because
I have tasted frustration
I value fulfillment

Because
I have been lonely
I value love

So often at this time of year we hear
What some never have the chance to say.
"If I only had that grade, then life would be clear"
And we forget that many could only dream of that day.

They dream of the day they could go to school
While we whine about our 89.999999's
They pray for the money to become a jewel
While we whine about our lack of Bevo bucks for Starbucks.

"Please Lord! If I could only get an A." I just heard
From the girl to my right, talking to her friend.
Which makes me wonder what I'd prefer;
To whine over what I don't have, or to rejoice in what's far more important in the end.

She says "I wish I had an A."
While I am no better, "I wish I was passing."
While the little boy says "I wish I could get a career someday."
Which brings my mind crashing.

I count the honks of a car..
A lamp post out the window.
I stare at out into the dark.
Seventeen times.

The students walk by making sound.
The sound crescendos,
As if they are playing music with the ground.
And then it stops.

College students walk outside
And laugh with each other.
By the lamp post's guide
They walk into the dark.

I feel empty without a close friend,
That one guy to be close too.
It's as if I am suspended,
Waiting for him to come.

People drain me in large numbers.
I need more time by myself than with them,
But what I wonder
Is if I've already met him.

A sound in the ceiling.
This library is old.
It sounds like it needs healing.
And then it stops.

How long will I live
Without a close friend?
My feet rest on the chair
And I breathe in the still air.

A girl walks near by
And asks me, a lonely guy,
If I'd seen her ID.
"No, sorry. I haven't."

I hope she has a good night.

We turn the corner as we walk to our rooms,
When we see a figure at the end of the hall.
We think that they will turn to the stairs soon,
But we find that this isn't true at all.
The closer we become, the more awkward it gets.
We try to play it cool and look at our phones,
Knowing full well, we don't have no texts.
We think "It'd be better if I weren't alone."
When all of a sudden, as we walk even closer,
We remember the fountain; a savior at last!
Now we can end this jousting match with this poser.
And just act like we're thirsty real fast.
"I'll just drink here and wait for them to pass.
While in the small hallway, they have to walk around my ***."

Someday I'll have my own drum set,
Someday I'll have my own djembe.
But for now, I shouldn't forget,
That I don't necessarily need drums to play.
My own two hands are all I need,
And maybe some legs, a chest, or table,
'Cause all you require is a seed
A seed of God's joy to make you grateful.
It's the Lord I should delight in.
Not the things I lack,
Who needs drums
When I can snap, clap and tap?
Someday I'll have my own "man cave"
Someday I'll have drums galore.
But today I have the Lord who saves!
Today I can praise Him with what I got once more.