In place of hate, I put love,
instead of war, I put peace;
and the blessings I received,
have yet, to come, to cease.
In place of pride, I am humble,
instead of anger, I just smile;
and the joy,  that I felt...
has lasted all this while.
My wickedness caused me pain,
but truth called to my heart;
and with God's Holy Spirit,
I made a brand new start.
Became a new creation,
cast off the chains of sin;
free from it's strong bonds,
aware of where I'd been.
In place of wounds, found healing,
instead of sadness  -  hope;
in the promise of tomorrow,
a place where I can cope.

Have they come to rob the store?
these people that wear those masks
only one of those my fickle friend
we have to save for those that ask.

I used to broad jump over six feet
social distance's now's the goal
keep away from me my pal
play your prim and proper role.

Don't touch your face at all
you don't know where those hands have been
don't cough or pant for breath
when will this virus ever end?

Stay at home for months and months
locked up in your dwelling
don't buy from take out food too much
who knows just what they're selling?

Read or watch the television
listen to music too -
we're all going bananas
this much I know is true.

When you came unto my life
it brightened up my day
some doldrums faded swiftly
I threw the rest away.

The first date is the standard test
will I like her, will she like me?
I was pleased and jubilant
(the way it worked you see).

You were charming and delightful
as we chatted about life
about ordinary things
work and play, stress and strife.

Old loves, better times and music
books we liked and ones we hated
food we loved, the past and present
and things  better left unstated.

When you came into my life,
you were like sunshine after rain
I felt whole again, revived
like someone finally free of pain.

In this time of trial and tribulation
social outcasts in one stroke
we face each other, nation to nation
wondering if its all a joke;
hardly a joke my puzzled friend
fevers, coughs and short of breath
we may be close to our own end
shaking hands with doctor death;
let's pray to God for our salvation
repenting of our sinful ways
irregardless of our station
we must be wary of the days;
wash those hands, wash them clean
disinfect the counter-tops
**** the viruses unseen
until its presence stops;
until this ****** pestilence dies
until we can be close again
let's silence rumors and silly lies
and look back at where we've been.

Cards and letters, gone unanswered
several questions, left unsaid
no e-mails and no phone calls
I may as well be dead.
Faded memories, ancient photos
now a cobweb in my mind
turned to dust and ashes
down a river I can't find.
Sweet hellos and sad good-byes
linger long in silent thought
of a happier existence
not the hurt that time has brought.
Alas, our love was too one-sided
and the pieces never fit
dissolving slowly in the wind
little fragments, bit by bit.
Now there's just this empty shell
no love; a heavy heart, like lead
words that seem to only echo
I may as well be dead.

When you come to me
I shall be ready
with honor and with glory
and with praising song
because you turned my life around
and revealed to me
what is right and what is wrong;
Gave me the truth that
I was searching for
gave me the strength
to go through any door;
Caused me to hope
when everything went wrong
put me with other people
where I felt I belonged;
Renewed by faith in God
with the promise of tomorrow
where death will be extinguished
where there will be no sorrow;
Where all will place God
above all else
the name above names
where peace and love and joy
forever reigns.

Things that do not satisfy,
are things I shun the most -
like zombies & werewolves,
sorcery and ghosts.

Movies laced with violence,
excess profanity in bools -
music that's just noise,
proud and haughty looks.

Things that do not satisfy,
from such, I turn away -
they only seek to scar he soul,
to mar a perfect day.

Give me truth and beauty,
that satisfies the soul -
poetry that nourishes,
to make the body whole.

Things that do  not satisfy,
I gladly set aside -
to be contented in this world,
to never have to hide.