Apr 2014
I'm here again?
How can it be?
What is this fiend inside of me?
Is there a more malicious place
Than that for which my heart makes space?
What is the cause
For all I've done?
O, from myself where can I run?
I'm trapped inside a wretched cave
Now, as I watch, the last light fades
Can I escape?
Is there a way
To best my own internal fray?
Who could forgive that which I am?
But You, the One they call the Lamb?
I feel it deep
I truly know
Clear is the way that I must go
A flame proceeds to light the way
Its heat dries all my tears away
To you I run
You are my fire
And only you do I desire
I once was pierced by sin's cold knife
You've saved my soul; I have new life
How can it be?
What is this fiend inside of me?
Is there a more malicious place
Than that for which my heart makes space?
What is the cause
For all I've done?
O, from myself where can I run?
I'm trapped inside a wretched cave
Now, as I watch, the last light fades
Can I escape?
Is there a way
To best my own internal fray?
Who could forgive that which I am?
But You, the One they call the Lamb?
I feel it deep
I truly know
Clear is the way that I must go
A flame proceeds to light the way
Its heat dries all my tears away
To you I run
You are my fire
And only you do I desire
I once was pierced by sin's cold knife
You've saved my soul; I have new life
|Written 2010|
*from my Emerge collection, being poem #8. Please see the collection page itself.
"The Living Fire" was at once one of my favorite poems I had ever written. It was of the first that I knew and could feel undeniably that The Holy Spirit was involved in my writing it, leading its construction fluidly as it poured out from my soul. I had never experienced that before, and it sparked a love for poetry in me, in contrast with my previous disposition towards it. TLF is deeply personal for me and its birth was a significant moment in my life. I still remember the night.
I wrote it after a repentant prayer, pleading to God for forgiveness, help, and freedom from an addiction to ****. I felt his all-encompassing Love consume me in a way that lit my path for a forward journey in forgiveness and grace, as I learned what it is to be a child of God, walking in freedom and not being restrained by shame that comes not from him but from the enemy.
Like "Snare" and "Unwelcome Visitor", I later revisited this special landmark, applying a vocal melody and tweaking it some to be better suited as song lyrics.
If I remember correctly, "The Living Fire" predates "Snare" by hours, or less. I think I wrote them on the same night, or at most, consecutive nights.
Line 10 originally said, "the last beams fade", but I thought it was too unclear that I was referring to beams of light, and could not fit both of those key words into the proper # of syllables, so changed it ultimately to its current form.
© 2017 A.D. Sifford.
I'm okay with you sharing my poetry, I just ask that you show courtesy by being honest and attributing it to my name. Thank you,
- Sifford
*from my Emerge collection, being poem #8. Please see the collection page itself.
"The Living Fire" was at once one of my favorite poems I had ever written. It was of the first that I knew and could feel undeniably that The Holy Spirit was involved in my writing it, leading its construction fluidly as it poured out from my soul. I had never experienced that before, and it sparked a love for poetry in me, in contrast with my previous disposition towards it. TLF is deeply personal for me and its birth was a significant moment in my life. I still remember the night.
I wrote it after a repentant prayer, pleading to God for forgiveness, help, and freedom from an addiction to ****. I felt his all-encompassing Love consume me in a way that lit my path for a forward journey in forgiveness and grace, as I learned what it is to be a child of God, walking in freedom and not being restrained by shame that comes not from him but from the enemy.
Like "Snare" and "Unwelcome Visitor", I later revisited this special landmark, applying a vocal melody and tweaking it some to be better suited as song lyrics.
If I remember correctly, "The Living Fire" predates "Snare" by hours, or less. I think I wrote them on the same night, or at most, consecutive nights.
Line 10 originally said, "the last beams fade", but I thought it was too unclear that I was referring to beams of light, and could not fit both of those key words into the proper # of syllables, so changed it ultimately to its current form.
© 2017 A.D. Sifford.
I'm okay with you sharing my poetry, I just ask that you show courtesy by being honest and attributing it to my name. Thank you,
- Sifford
