What is Love?

Love is maintaining your devotion, throughout all the trials.

Love is showing appreciation for all that others do.

Love is living as an example for those who look up to you.

Love is knowing that what you do affects people for generations.

Love is caring for all you meet, the good and the bad.

Love is hoping that good will come into our lives.

Love is looking at things from a positive perspective.

Love is honoring what is true and right, regardless of its source.

Love is an undying desire to see souls come unto Christ.

Love is helping those in need even when you are the one in need.

Love is never giving up hope when the odds are overwhelmingly against you.

Love is having concern for others when they could care less about you.

Love is loving those who are not lovable.

Love is charitable acts of kindness given fully and freely.

Love is praying for an increase of it daily.

Love is unconditional.

Love is opening your heart to others, without fear that it will be broken.

Love is sharing our most precious thoughts and feelings.

Love is selfless acts of service.

Love is judging others only after you have seen the world through their eyes.

Love is most frequently gained by expressing it to others.

Wanting

I can't explain it.

The frustration, the reason why I'm upset.

Well, that's not true. I know why I'm upset. I just don't know why I'm as frustrated as I am.

I shouldn't be.

I shouldn't feel this inner turmoil.

I shouldn't have to question who I am.

I shouldn't have to doubt, to experience the wonder, the frustration, the strange desire of wanting and not even being sure if what I want is either obtainable, or good for me.

So, why the frustration? Why the pain?

Why does any of this matter?

I don't know.

I just know it's tearing me up inside tonight and I want to scream. Is that bad?

Screaming won't help. Worrying won't help. Wanting won't help.

This thing I desire, this hope, this dream, this thing that has me wanting; why won't it leave me alone?

Because it is something good. It is something great! It is something that has continually remained just out of my reach…just beyond the straining grasp of my fingers…just beyond my ability to find and obtain it.

What am I left with?

I'm left wanting? Is it so bad? No. But only because what I want is a good thing. I don't like the pain, the angst, the frustration.  In fact I don't like the wanting, because it simply means I'm missing out on something good.

I want the day when I'm no longer left wanting.

my voice

fighting, crying, screaming

though nothing comes out

the words, the sounds, they’re there

caught in my throat

wanting to be heard

scared, nervous, afraid

like a young child

but, I am not a child

pain, anguish, frustration

at life

with life

because of life

doubt, questioning, fear

of the unknown

of the future

of the past

of decisions made

of choices yet to come

though time heals all wounds

I need more than time

strength, hope, desire

fighting, crying screaming

the pain comes out

the words, the sounds, they’re there

frustration fades

as my voice is heard

once more...

From the ashes of the fight

'Long the sparrows earthly flight

Comes the passions of the night

Once more.

Live a life of questions asked

Emblems of a hope ammased

Staring at the chasam vast

Once more.

Angels, deamons, devils few

Light the candles, quell the view

List the names, not one but two

Once more.

History lives amidst the past

Present but a moment lasts

Futures built around the caste

Once more.

Speaking hoarsely, devil's tounge

Whispers lightly, song is sung

Deep and dark, ensnare the young

Once more.

Searching, hoping, seeking peace

Wanting but the pain to cease

Only asking for release.

Once more.

Ev'ry minute, ev'ry hour

Loosing grasp to my own power

Seeking paradises flower

Once more.

Eight by Eight

I

The King and Queen do beset the game;

While armies of pawns guard the domain.

The Castle, the keep, his powers untold;

He guards and protects, with merciless cold.

Bishops their church, sanctuaries to reign,

Religiously bless death's heroes, their fame.

Knights who move freely above and beyond,

Atop horses a-plenty slaying the pawn.

II

Large valleys of fields, farms, and shires;

Provide for the battlefields endless desires.

Lands pool with blood as each man is slain,

Though slaughter ensues, thrones are retained.

The Queen rests beside the kingdom on high,

With capture, with plunder, their kingdom shall die.

For the pawn army surges in hopes of reprise,

The queen holds the key to the power on high.

III

One King takes a chance in hopes of advance

Draws sinless romance, in this deathly dance.

Few battles ensue, where kingdoms remain;

For falls with last knight, the king, the domain.

Old Age

The wrinkles there begat old age;

The crippled hands speak of younger days.

The worn our feet, life’s paths they’ve tread;

The head held high, from a good life led.

The crackling voice, a comforting talk;

The loving heart, it does not lock.

The soft set eyes are quick to tears.

The quick, bright mind filled from the years.

The wisdom there gives peace of mind.

The endless deeds are always kind.

The body’s old, the spirit young.

The battles fought, the wars are won.

The face I see will only smile.

Despite old age, that timeless trial.