I wrote this poem yesterday and dedicate it to anyone who is facing a serious challenge right now. It’s sort of long, but I hope it inspires you to hold on.

The PHOENIX Speaks

This thing that you’re facing, a pain that strangles your soul,
It troubles your heart to quiver and quake.
Out of nowhere it came, like a thief in the night,
Steals joy, crushes faith, and splinters all hope.
A deep dank darkness finds a home at your throat,
It smothers your breath, it shatters your bones.
Red roses with thorns, deceptions it bore,
It sprang quickly to prick, then cut deeply to the core.
It beats out a rhythm, drumbeats in your head,
Your eyes now blurry, murky visions instead.
Of where you were going, no path at your feet,
Giant lakes of tears flood your cheeks,
You swipe to remove it, the deluge repeats.
You look to the sky, and wonder out, why?
This turn that you took to a road just to cry.
Is your life now worth nothing?
Just empty and bare,
The others before you, for those that you care?
You saw a bluebird land on a tree,
Flapping its wings and kissing nectarines.
A soft strain of music hovers above,
Tickles your eardrums and pulls out a song.
It spoke of a place, right there at the bend,
Don’t falter, don’t stumble, walk slowly, go on.
A voice softly tells you, just wait and you’ll see,
Candles can flicker but revive with each breeze.
Out of the ashes, you’ll rise and you’ll fly,
Like sparrows and eagles, you’ll soar through the sky.
Look now and see there are doves smiling at you,
Remember go lightly; you’ll get there real soon.
The burden you bear now like feathers in air,
Flutters away carrying high mounds of despair,
The body relaxes and fills up the space.
The warbler points to the Phoenix far up in the sky,
Tweets out its melody and chants its bird call.
If ever you feel a weight holding you down,
Lift up your eyes even through misty blue skies.
Remember the saying; I’ve been there before,
The path you’ve come through by chance or mistake,
Promises you something no one can replace.
His grace and His mercy and His hope just for you,
Equals the love deep inside that God holds for you.
You never need doubt that this too shall pass,
It’s passé, it’s easy-said, it’s clichéd yet true.
But, remember the Phoenix, it’s speaking to you.
Every pain that you bear through guilt and through doubt,
Nothing in life will ever compare,
To His grace and His mercy and His hope just for you.
A love that’s eternal shines brightly in you,
Just remember the Phoenix, it’s speaking to you.