I woke up to the shining sun
ignorant of the day to come
who knew a knife's power
to make perfection cower?

innocence and I fight and lose
I must not get to choose
not that I could wish this day
or the truth so far away

still it's here without rescue
I know I'm going to lose you
but it doesn't hurt to say
the new today is my cliché

if you dare to dream
who knows what you’ll find
you might find you’ve got ambition
something other than an ax to grind
and if this world is too eager and fair
and can’t get you out of its mind
then lay some on with powerful fruition
and decide if you’re the hurting kind

mom ought to be
home soon
and the door will creak open, like
a shot of red lightening soda pop
pop pop
this web is well-spun, isn't it?
aint it. isn't. aint. apostrophes stuck
to the ends of our tongues like
candy from the local metaphor shop, where
the commas and the poems get
together
to rhyme about their punctuated lives.

i know that i'm not worthy
but today it seems doubly true
and once again i find
i am nothing without You

am i swimming in self-pity
coming short of the mark
how did this darkness
make its way into my heart

the moments when I stand
are encompassed by Your grace
and I'm no more sufficient than
when I falter and fall in this race

still i don't want to be here again
where every flaw is shown
pride wants to keep me
from being helpless before Your throne

nor do i want to bring You displeasure
when my life was made for Your praise
so please Lord, God, teach me
and on Yourself turn my gaze

you alone have been the witness
         to every single fall
little things, big horrid things
         my life's a long tale of them all
the only persistent plot is you
         your presence alone never ceased
this amazing grace abounds the most
         whenever I deserve the least
I'm still standing here in flawedness
         despite acquaintance with truth aflame
for your words and my eager attempts
         I remain very much the same
I've mercy encounters with the almighty
         but the effect is most understated
your self demands my life and thought
         but I can't even qualify as dedicated
you promise to give me every desire
         to plant that seed deep into my heart
I, the child repentant, again beg my only plea:
         complete the work you didn't hesitate to start
the vows you made are never broken
         your plans are nothing but purest perfection
and for this tonight I bring myself
         a sacrifice laced with grace-given affection
to shudder at your power and yet pray
         for this promised grace to be fulfilled
mold me, shake me, hold my heart close --
         take the darkness and have it killed
and in the shadow of your omnipotent hand
         keep this your wayward child
make my life to sing your glory
         until to you I'm reconciled