Along the wall I worked my way, caring still for nought,
A gate ahead, a crowd I see, straight and tense, as all they
watch.
I hurry along the outer edge to discover what's been caught,
I ask the crowd to let me see, still, they care for naught.
I push and shove, then pull and tug, clawing through to see,
The crowd resists, they push me back, "You cannot come this
way."
At last I see down yonder way, I'll climb this big tree,
I rush, I run, at last I'm there, climbing up to see.
A strong young man, no clothes at all, I watch as they lift his
hands,
Off to the right, that terrible sight, here comes that ghastly
man,
Now from the tree and across the fence, I scarce believe it's
me,
Why doesn't he fight, he could beat them, there is no reason
for this,
I've heard him preach, i've watched him work, I've learned to
love this man,
A cat o'nine, in his right hand, only I called out, "No."
I count the stripes, again and again, I'm watching his right
hand,
My savior he is beating there, that terrible ghastly man.
I touch the ground, begin to run, I'll stop this ghastly scene.
Again he strikes, the tails all bite, it's like he's striking me,
I rush in close, spun by his arm, eye to eye.... I look at me.
Bill Taylor
The following poem was Written By Jerry Letterman of Spark in the Dark, PO Box 393, Carrollton, Ohio 44615 and is posted here with His consent.
WHY CAN'T I GO BACK AND UNDO THE HARM?
IT WAS REALLY NOTHING, YOU SEE.
WHY DID IT CAUSE SO MUCH ALARM?
IT DIDN'T MEAN THAT MUCH TO ME.
OPEN THIS LID AND LET ME OUT;
I WANT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES REAL QUICK;
I DIDN'T MEAN TO YELL AND SHOUT.
I DIDN'T THINK THE WORDS WOULD STICK.
NOW I KNOW THE DAMAGE I'VE DONE.
THE HURT AND DESTRUCTION THAT CAME FROM ME;
AS I WALKED, AND I AM ONLY ONE.
AS A DROP OF WATER, TAKEN FROM THE SEA.
HOW COULD I, HAVE LIVED SO WRONG?
ESPECIALLY SINCE I WANTED TO BE SO RIGHT.
YOU SEE, I WAS ALWAYS VERY STRONG,
AND I LIKE TO SHOW MY MIGHT.
I REMEMBER ONE TIME WHEN I ATTENDED CHURCH
AND THE PREACHER TALKED RIGHT AT ME.
FROM MY SEAT I WANTED TO LURCH,
BUT SOMETHING HELD ME BACK YOU SEE.
I WANTED TO RUN DOWN AND ACCEPT THE LORD,
AND START MY LIFE ALL OVER ANEW.
TO LIVE MY LIFE ON A DIFFERENT CHORD,
ESPECIALLY THOSE PARTS WITH YOU.
NOW I SEE THAT IT'S TOO LATE,
TO MAKE THE CHANGES THAT I NEED.
TO WIPE CLEAN THE STORY ON THE SLATE,
OF EVERY SINFUL DEED.
ONLY JESUS COULD MAKE THAT CHANGE,
AND I MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY
NOW IF I COULD ONLY ARRANGE,
FIVE MINUTES MORE OF LIFE FOR ME.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I COULD SEND,
A LAST MINUTE CONFESSION YOU SEE;
I DIDN'T THINK MY LIFE WOULD END,
IN A SPLIT SECOND FIGHTING SPREE.
NOW IT ENDED FIVE MINUTES TO SOON,
TO MAKE THOSE FINAL AMENDS.
HERE I AM IN A BURNING HELL,
WITH ALL MY STUBBORN FRIENDS.
I KNOW THAT THEY ARE HERE,
ALTHOUGH I CANNOT SEE,
I CAN HEAR THEIR SCREAMS SO VERY NEAR,
IN AGONIZING PAIN LIKE ME.
FIVE MINUTES, THAT'S ALL I NEED,
TO MAKE MY LIFE, TO MEAN SO MUCH MORE.
TO ACCEPT GOD'S ONLY SEED,
FOR ETERNAL LIFE I IMPLORE.
NOW I KNOW , THAT IT'S TO LATE,
BUT YOU STILL HAVE THE TIME.
TO MAKE THAT IMPORTANT DATE,
I WISH THE TIME WAS MINE.
