Broken Wing

Oh broken wing with royal feathers ripped
out and torn
You stand bleeding, ravaged with unquenchable
PAIN
You were not meant to stand here alone
but to propel into flight
Lifting, soaring, releasing into the heavens
in tandem with your twin
Oh broken wing filled with pain now, do
not lose hope
For one day the Sun will shine upon you
radiantly restoring and revealing your beauty

Living

Co-existing is not living.
Living is being.
Being is shining
for all the world to see.

"People"

People are not papers to be shuffled
or files to be forgotten and not cared for.
People are soul-bearers, emotion containers,
and vessels to be celebrated through all of life's stages.

People have feelings and need love.
They need hugs and high fives.
People need forgiveness and grace when
things go awry and help and empathy when life is merciless.

People are God's highest creation, his most
celebrated example of his glory and power.
People need to know that they are not forgotten
and shouldn't isolate themselves because
loneliness and solitude are hard to live with.

The Voices

"Oh stained, tattered girl, don't go away from here."
That is what the voices tell me.
"We want you. We need you. You are different. Please stay."
The voices continue their tirade.
"We have all you need. We can get you anything you want.
We never sleep to stop serving you."
I hear the voices again.
"You want a haircut at 2 AM or sex with another woman at 4 PM?
It can all be easily arranged."
Do I choose to continue listening?
"Don't you like us? Don't you want us?
What makes you turn your face when I am naked and vulnerable before you?"
Please stop your incessant pleas oh voices.
"When my breath is hot upon your neck and my hand is upon you,
why does it not fill you with passionate desire? Why will you not release your virginity to me?"
Voices GO AWAY!

Contemplations on the Subway

My lips are shackled and silenced by life here.
And my body yearns to be held within your captive embrace
Because, in childish truth, sometimes it is simply your warm, strong hugs
that shine hope and peace within my spirit.

I miss you already though we have never met.
And this loneliness I feel without you nearly brings tears to my eyes.
There is more I want to say to you, but it is meant only for your ears.

Hope

Though you trample upon me and pierce
me with your spike heel, I will not go away.
I am Hope ... resilient, beautiful, resounding,
the phoenix birthed again.
And though you think your rules and red tape
will bind me and shut me down, I will not be bound.
I am Hope ... free, living, eternally
optimistic, inspired.
Yes, you think the tears that you evoke and the sorrow
you have gained elation from are your victory, BUT
I am Hope ... warrior, VICTOR, rebellious,
the passion that conceives justice and social equality.

O Africa, My Africa

O Africa, my Africa
how I miss you already
how I long for you to be cared for and loved.

O Africa, my Africa
how sad I am like a mother who has had her child ripped from her arms to be trampled,
I long to be with you and care for your beautiful, multi-toned children.

O Africa, my Africa
my prayer for you is that many will go and give their love for you,
you who have been abandoned and raped and destroyed.

My heart is sad and tears form now in my eyes.
I sit and ruminate about why the door has been slammed in my face when I am able and willing to care for you.
Well, perhaps I'll still get to be there for you and myself by the time I'm 40.

I think I've been in mourning for you for nearly a week now.
I try to focus and not just get distracted at work, but all the while wanting to not be a hypocrite.
I pray that desire will be birthed in people's hearts to care for you as I do and that they will go and help as I long to do.

The tears come down now hot upon my face.
Sadness. Mourning. Desperation. Restlessness. Why?
What open doors lie in wait for me now?