Last Saturday, I took an empty seat
on a park bench, with book in hand.
Feeling sorry for myself, I failed-
to notice others on this public land.

Disillusioned with life’s loneliness,
my heart and face both wore sad frowns.
From my perspective, this world was…
insistent on dragging my weary soul down.

While my inner sadness wasn’t enough,
to completely complement my pitiful day,
I was approached by a breathless boy,
who had taken time to rest from his play.

With unexpected exuberance, he spoke
to me, with his head oddly, tilted down,
as he shared an unwanted gift with me-
"Look at this flower, I’ve just found!"

Though all of its petals were badly worn,
I could tell, it had been a supple rose;
my spirit, desired only misery’s company
and not his presence of disheveled clothes.

I hoped that he would take his treasure
and leave- in search of solitary play;
so I imitated my finest, insincere smile
and intentionally shifted my gaze away.

Instead of retreating, he sat beside me.
“My flower is scented and beautiful too;
thanks for being my newest friend today,
for I picked this, especially for you.”

Patiently waiting, with tiny hands extended,
he presented the remnant of his dead ****;
I knew I had to take it, to induce his leave-
so I sarcastically replied "Just what I need."

Without an explanation, he held it mid-air;
then I finally noticed, for the first time,
that this happy, gift-toting child was blind
and I’m left more speechless than a boxed mime.

Thanking him with a repentant, quivering voice,
my streaming tears shone brightly like the sun;
while I managed to express some real gratitude,
I acknowledged that he had chosen the “best one”.

Unaware of the powerful impact that he had on me,
he smiled and joyfully slid down off our bench;
then he wandered off, as quickly as he could-
with a second, dead rose that he lovingly clenched.

So I was stunned, wondering how he managed to see
this woman drowning in her self-indulgent plight.
Through his blindness, I saw that the problem was me;
by his heart action, he blessed me with true sight.

From this moment, I vow to change and see beauty
in life and appreciate every second that's mine.
Therefore, I’ve decided to move forward with purpose,
for I can’t allow my fragile heart to remain blind.

And even now, I’m becoming emotionally overwhelmed
with this unexpected flood of tear-filled shame.
In retrospect, my manners were severely lacking:
for I neglected to ask- this earth-angel… his name.

Come to me.. so that in your embrace coldness leave my heart from freezing and waiting this precious thing stop to feel the fire of your love. Come within me, so that enemies run so fast and fears abandon me. Show me your face, I want to touch it, and the lightning that struck my heart turns like a rain of your love where every raindrop my heart dances with it. And the pain be replaced with joy tickling me inside. I invite you to come and stay, so the tears may end and smile form back on my face like how I first smiled when you formed me in my mother’s womb. Shower me with love and confidence, so like the stars at night I may shine bright. Satisfy my hunger and quench my thirst for you, I wanted to be enveloped with your loving arms. Please come to me, I want to swim in your ocean of love where I won’t mind drowning in.

My heart races when I know you're there.
My soul turns when I'm rescued from a snare.
When you whisper in my ear, your peace surrounds me.
When the enemy gives panic, you calm me like the sea.
When I'm imprisoned by greed, you break those chains.
You give me your blood in exchange for my pains.
When my sorrows groan and I cry out to you,
You take my sorrows and dry my tears.
Even when I run still you pursue.
No matter how I betray you, your mercy's are new.
My one and only, may I be found in you.

I stood gazing.
Light shed behind a wooden cross
overlooking your kingdom.
Overlooking your river steady and true
flowing to your sea.
From a distance it seemed to be moving
with the life and morning life of you.

I moved, drawn closer to the life,
at peace, but my heart quickened.
Your cross grew larger and leaped faster,
not away, but towards me.
Now I saw a new color of the day,
the color crimson. Alive on your cross.
Crimson lept away and towards me in time and space it seemed.

When I opened and focused my eyes fully,
I gazed on a miracle of your making.
A harmless, simply beautiful, creation.
Hundreds of pure crimson ladies, your blood shed for me,
danced in hope and joy around on your sacrifice.
The cross you bore for me.

After my wide eyes settled I sat quietly, serenely.
I felt your cool morning dew laying on your jade toned grass.
I sat near enough to soak in your beauty fully,
Just enough to feel hope landing on my arms, harmlessly.

Hope then crawled and spread a joyful smile on my resting lips.
Only enough to absorb grace and all that there was, then.

I sat and looked up, using gifts given , bent my neck to spine.
I sat and saw the wonder you showed me.
I sat and heard your voice whispering through my hair.
I sat and breathed in your breath fully.
I sat and believed in you, still I sat alone with you.

Time unknown went by and then there were more of us.
We sat together no words spoken.
We sat together in weary morning amazement.
We sat together with our hands folded , spirits entwined with yours.
We sat together and the eyes you blessed us with soaked in wings of pure joy.
We sat together and believed in you.

Crimson ladies danced to sow in us peace, love, serenity, creation, quiet,
joy, connection, beauty, light,  sound, feeling and it all meant love.

The cross of your creation, dancing with life.
The sacrifice you made.
Made for us, made for you and me.
We are grateful for all and your crimson ladies.

2008....about my first experience with the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit, which happened in 2002. I lost the memory and my way for a a while and the experience found me later and brought me back to Him in some ways.

As noted by Socrates,
an unexamined life
is not worth living;

as a disciple of Christ,
I’ve decided to adopt…
His lifestyle of giving.

Humanity’s selfishness
needs to be subdued daily,
for we need each other;

regardless of opinions,
we’re still God’s offspring
as sisters and brothers.

From embracing The Word,
we go forth as ambassadors,
since Truth we must tell.

For an unexamined life
keeps one unwittingly on…
the unmarked road to Hell.
.
.
.
Author Notes

Loosely based on:
Matt 7:13-14, 19:26, 28:16-20;
John 6:45; Eph 5:1-2

Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http://amzn.to/1ffo9YZ

By Joseph J. Breunig 3rd, © 2014, All rights reserved.

Dear God,

I know you've tried your hardest to heal me, to rid me of my wounds that have been caused by all of the trials in my life, but they still hurt. I ask you this, are they always going to hurt? Will I forever faintly feel this pain? Because I cannot stand the constant reminder of my mistakes nor can I stand the afflictions caused by the ones who once cared for me. I wish and pray for you to continue to be a beacon of light in my life and to shed wisdom and answers to my questions. I just feel so fogged and lost. I want to find my path again.

Psalms 31:3
*For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.

Who believed may come
Walk towards the light.
Who read may get
Everything He promised on the afterlife
Who served may be forgiven,
As the leaves turned black.
Who loved may live
As the heaven sings and the angels say Hallelujah.
Above it all,
Who sacrificed themselves today
May be blessed tomorrow
And the day after tomorrow,
And repeat...


Amen.

The Man

We are men: leaders in the world today
We are men: called to live in a Christ-like way
We are brothers fathers teachers sons
We are friends students husbands and then some
We are so many roles and responsibilities
We are trying to lead by example and have humility
We are far from perfect sinners its true
We are loved by the father so much he gave his life for me and you
What would happen if as men of God we could stand
Stood up for faith and family wouldn’t that be grand
In a world of deep darkness we are called to be light
In a society where wrong is good we are called to stand up for what’s right
Where there is hate in our lives we are called to be love
And we are called to give our lives if push came to shove
We are men of faith brothers in arms
Together and with God’s great grace we might avoid satan’s charms
Lord help us love our families be there for them always
Lord we are earnestly seeking you reveal to us your face
You are Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings
You are the creator, the author of the whole universe and of everything
We are men: like Joseph may our response be “Let it Be Done Unto Me”
We are men: each called for a reason very specially
We are men: trying to find ourselves in who you are
We are men: come from both near and far
Gathered in your presence we look to you for strength and peace
And pray one day for our children the violence and hurt would cease
Lead us to be better men
Teach us to be open then
Show us the way that is narrow and true
So we might live as men like you!