The last cup of chai

There is a wall facing a mountain in a valley filled with trees.
Upon this wall is a picture from a time long long ago.
On the table behind the wall is a book filled with pages.
In the distance a woman weeps. The last page is written.

The mountain trembles and is covered with smoke.
A dove flies from an evergreen tree clinging to the face of the peak.
As she lands atop the house, a serpent slithers from beneath the steps.
A bent man with a cane makes his way across the porch with care.
Sitting upon a gnarly oaken stool he lights his hand carved pipe.
His once red beard is now grey with cares and troubles and wisdom.
As he looks at the landscape smoke from the mountain and his pipe
Dance high above him. With passion and fervor unknown before.
He longs to read the book. He longs to gaze with warm eyes upon the story
Penned in toil reverence and love. The last page is written.
A silent tear caresses his careworn face and drops to the porch.
It disappears into the aged lumber at the feet of his seat.

The woman emerges gracefully from the house to bring him
A cup of steaming chai which she places carefully upon the railing.
He thanks her with a grunt. She rubs his shoulder and turns to leave.
He takes her hand ever so gently and raises it to his lips.
Their eyes meet and a gentle breeze sweeps gently across the yard
The flowers blooming in the garden sway dancing as only those free may.
The pages of the book flutter open. The last page is written.
They both smile. She turns to leave. Holding her hand he rises.
They dance. A slow faltering dance, the serpent and the dove.
The last page is written

isolation

drives men to unimaginable depths.
destroying lives.
brings death.
brought life?
destroying death?
brings men to unimaginable height?

words possess power.
it takes no spell to unmake a man.
hearts are tender things-
how careless have i been?
by my words i am judged.
with them i may build up or tear down.

i write to you.
to you, reading these words right now.
i have no idea where you are.
i have no idea what you are experiencing.
you have a choice.
will you believe the promises of God or not?

i have been silent far too long.
too much is at stake.
this is no game.
there is no restart.
i only live once.
will i be faithful?
will i hallow the name of Christ?
will i believe the promises of God?
here i stand. by the grace of God, i can do no other.
by his death and isolation i live.

to save a life

isolation.
is it good for a man to be alone.
ripping threads from the fabric of who we are
can we escape?
we chase high and low.
sex. love. drugs. parties and rock 'n roll.
we raise a glass up high
we lift our hands.
feelin nothing. the glass is empty.
are you running? are you chasing?
do you want to be free?
have you tried everything and still you need
someone to hold you.
somebody to care.
are you alone?
i'm with you.
i beat you there.

lies echo in halls from days gone by
reminding and remembering-a dangerous game
lockers line the way
did you ever stop to pray
if i make it one more day.
i'll stay. i'll stay.
people push you down- ain't nobody there
they're pushing and pushing and pushing some more
pain oozes out a broken bottle of milk
run away and hide don't let nobody stay
have you tried everything and still you need
somebody to hold you
somebody to care
are you alone?
i'm with you.
i beat you there.

you look out through eyes red sore and lame
you can't walk. you can't fight. you're filled with pain
from your mom from your dad from your sister and girl
you're beat down from the work from the school from the reign
of terror in life.
you got no hope. got no way- you can't even jerk
you dying man. you lost your game.
whatcha gonna do? where you gonna run?
will you let somebody care?
the answer ain't easy- there ain't no part to this cure.
someone to hold you.
to care.
whaddya care
you're alone.
but not the first.

Humility?

My heart aches
My eyes quake
My soul breaks
Does all shake?

What will stand?
Surely not my plan
No matter how grand
They seem to land
Without any grace
Like wedding lace
thrown in my face
leaving no trace

I'm left all alone
A dog with no bone
A call with no phone
My bird has flown