How my heart ached when you left me!
how the days were drowned in sorrow;
the nights seemed endless, dreary
still, there came, the bright tomorrow.

How my soul cried days without you!
days that offered little hope;
I couldn't think, but of your face
I just sat around and moped.

Then the morning fog was lifted
how good again, to see the sun!
I looked forward to the evening
now convinced my life's not done.

I was saved, that day from drowning
she was like you, in many ways;
but she never left, like you did
she loves me, and she stays.

How my heart was broke in pieces!
when our pledged love went awry;
how we struggled hard to save it
how long it's been since it did die.

Keep your heart from evil
the day wanes much too fast
honor truth and mercy
only things that last;
Your life is but a flower
a blink in time's great plan
fill your soul with love
and know that it is grand;
Fear the Lord above you
and obey His every word
lift your voice in prayer
and you too, will be heard;
Forgive ones that hurt you
all enemies and foes
Your Father watches all
let troubled waters flow;
Your body is a temple
keep it clean and pure
then you'll gain a kingdom
if in this world, you endure.

You stand the test of time
when all else falls away;
when things no longer matter
but the dawn of each new day.
There's the beauty in the heavens
when the sun fills up the sky;
when the blue is just amazing
where the crow and eagle fly.
You stand the test of time
when all shadows fade from view;
and the darkness is eclipsed
by the truth I never knew.
Until I felt my heart melt
as the lies died one by one;
I stood apart from my life
ashamed by what I'd done.
You stand the test of time
it's of You that I have need;
I've now risen from the ashes
from my selfish, petty greed,
I don't understand the peace
but it fills my soul with pleasure;
goodbye to all that's tainted
I now have found my treasure.

Walking on the slick and slippery trail
mud was ******* at my sneakered feet;
on caliche ground and crumbling clay
more obtrusive with the morning's heat.

Dappled sunshine played its hide and seek
my quiet, smallish terrier trotted by my side;
and as we broke through the forest glade
we entered grassy meadows high and wide.

The wild, west wind, was blowing very strong
hanging, stratus clouds showed promised rain;
here, the way ran almost razor straight and true
with very little elevation and hardly any gain.

If it wasn't for the slippage and the sliding
this earthly path would be a pleasant walk;
an outing, generally agreeable and grand
without need of conversation or silly talk.

In the distance, long low clouds are crying
with tears formed, from ending winter's cold;
yet I'd not hesitate to come back here again
to but be a lonely vagabond, if truth be told.

Hello Lord;  seems I talk to you so little
memories of time have made them brittle;
yet You're nor far off from me I know
You alone can make the waters flow.

Time does not heal...no, I know I'm right
only You, the truth, gets me thru the night;
there are such things that will not go away
only faith in Your power, gets me thru this day.

I cry to You,  because no one feels my pain
with no hope, tomorrow's but a  foolish game;
and I would be alive but I would die inside
because in this world, there is no place to hide.

And so, I turn to You, the Captain of Salvation
You know my state of being...my true station;
the comfort from Your love keeps my heart strong
and it's in Your family, that I feel I must belong.

When all else fails,  You're still standing there
You hear and listen carefully to my prayer;
and time becomes a thing that slowly fades
and too, the world's grand and great charades.

Thank you for the rain Lord
that fell throughout the day;
refreshing, and much needed
in your own time and way.
So,  resting from not walking
I played music gathering dust;
mellow jazz and Frank Sinatra
slow, sweet melodies I trust.
I read from books of culture
of you, God,  and daring men;
it relaxed me to a great degree
in my warm, secluded den.
I read your treasured word
of truth and peace and grace;
hopeful of the coming time
when I might see your face.
I gave you thanks and praises
for all the blessings in my life;
that brought me out of sin
and kept me free from strife.
Like rain that cleans the skies
my heart's been cleansed by you;
who took me from the filthy pit
to worlds I never knew.

I am the blanket that covers -
your body, from head to toe;
that protects you from the night
and relaxes your evening's woe.

I am the blanket that moves -
when you turn in troubled sleep;
keeping the dreams more safe
as you're falling into the deep.

You slumber under my cover -
as the sandman creeps on in;
stealing away before dawn
as the sun slips over the rim.

I am the blanket that loves you -
from your head to the tips of your toes;
no one suspects our belonging
to each other -  nobody knows.

I am the blanket that covers -
every fiber of your dear soul;
that stretches from end to end
the body that makes you whole.