Sinking to the Depths and Rising Again

Sinking to the Depths and Rising Again

A poem that reflects on the path from hopelessness to hope renewed

Shadows fall on vacant space ’twixt today and yesterday
and frame the face white washed with fear in such a mournful way.

The air that once was clean and clear now turns stale and vapid
as fear labored breath exhales, the pulse becomes quite rapid.

Reality slips in and out as denial is the choice
to quiet whispers of the spirit’s further weakened voice.

In vacancy between the days, sanity comes along;
by counting down while looking back to see where life went wrong;

Such pain, such depth of loneliness and fear is deep inside,
no call for help the lips convey because of foolish pride.

Ever spiraling downward, the will is crushed to dust
Voices speak with lying tongues, “There is no one you can trust.”

In the deepening pits of hell, life lingers by a thread,
as visions of a former life now wander through the head.

In fits of restless sleeping, in the dark comes a night’s dream,
as demons dance within the mind; the soul begins to scream.

Somewhere must lie the answer that will end this constant pain,
a means of rising from the dirt to once again live sane.

Oh, Spirit come and take my hand and lead me to the way
out of this mire, this darkened path, where I have gone astray.

If life there is for me to have, then bring again the sun.
Let me bask in light again until victory I have won.


Copyright © 2006 by Karen M. Crump  

I Live with a Dichotomy

I Live with a Dichotomy

A poem revealing the diversity of thought in one's own mind

 
I live with a dichotomy,
divisions in my mind
ever present, always searching
for what I cannot find.
When I am on the one side,
truth is on the other.
When spark of passion rises,
something is sure to smother.

Turning left and then to right,
my mental neck does snap;
and when I seek to grasp,
I feel caught in a trap.
In the corner of my eye,
a shadow seems to leer
but when I turn to look,
my vision is unclear.

Divide me down the middle
and in the bloody flow
perhaps you’ll find the answer
to what I’ll never know:
what is the vital portion
destined to the light of day
if partitions in my mind
would have gone away.

© Copyright 2008 Karen M. Crump

Even in a Dream

Even in a Dream

In sleep or dream, the realities of life

 

"To sleep, perchance to dream,"
with childlike thoughts of sugar plums
though doubtful any child has seen one.
Not I in over 60 years of dreaming.

Cool pillow turns to heat as sleep evades
or keeps the body in an alternate state
of intellectual stimulation.
A wonderland of thought and vision
is the dream of youth.

Worries and tasks to long left undone
consume the midnight hours of the aged
who can no longer take task in hand
and lift it until completed.
"Ah, there's the rub!"

On stiffened joints and painful muscles,
a salve of youth would be refreshing.
If one could see the future,
would one go there?
Even in a dream?

Quotes from Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

© Copyright 2010 Karen M. Crump

The Spirit is Me

The Spirit is Me

Spiritual reality

It is Your Spirit, Mighty God
that bears true life from above
and transports humans just like me
into Your spiritual reality.

The flesh, my suit I must wear
in this earthly atmosphere.
It’s service is to hold the truth
of my spirit’s brand new birth.

In bondage, I was once alone
for I had wandered far from home.
I did not know the path to take
or how to pray “for Jesus sake.”

Then a Word of Truth was given me
that opened up my eyes to see
I had not only human frame
but Spirit Life through Jesus name.

In the midst of all eternity,
You took time to ransom me
and place Your name upon my brow
to claim me as an adopted child.

In the holy tomes of heaven,
my name is indelibly written
as an heir to Your vast estate
of which I can freely partake.

Jesus came not to change the Law
but to accumulate and draw
all its facets in one clear decree:
“Love My Father and love Me.”

And when that Love is Spirit driven,
it will soar and reach to heaven
and bring down to human kind
God’s eternal Life Divine.

Copyright  ©  December 13, 2008 by Karen M. Crump

Trust God

Trust God

When your mind does not understand,
and your life seems to have no plan;
shout up into the sky, “Trust God.

When your heart is at its weakest,
and the future looks its bleakest;
down in your soul reply, “Trust God.”

When you wrestle the enemy,
and you can’t see the victory;
make this your battle cry, “Trust God.”

When death is knocking at your door,
and there’s nothing left to live for;
breathe out a gentle sigh, “Trust God.”

Copyright  ©  July 12, 2009 by Karen M. Crump

Quiet Listening

Quiet Listening

in silence hear

Ears attuned can recognize
the language of the earth:
howlings of sorrow,
chirpings of mirth.
So much in the tunes
that all around play,
matching their resonance
to time of the day.
Do we hear? Do we listen?
Are we aware? Do we care?
Quiet listening.

© Copyright 2010 Karen M. Crump

Don't Give Up Your Music

Don’t Give Up Your Music

Refuse to compromise the music in your soul

Music in your heart is
quintessentially you.
It is the tune and beat
to which your body moves.

Symphony or one flute,
the tune's not always clear.
Quiet meditation
will help your soul to hear.

Unique in every way,
your name is in the song
playing within your heart
as your life sings along.

Some will try to tell you
all must be harmony.
They'll change your music
if you give them the key.

"We must walk in concert,"
is what they'll come and say.
"Give to us your music,
we know a better way."

And when they've collected
all the music everywhere,
the tune that they'll produce
will sound full of despair.

Soul without its music
will give a mournful cry
and from the void within
will shrivel up and die.

No matter the rhythm,
it is what makes you You.
Refuse to compromise,
to your music stay true.

Copyright  © December 23, 2008 by Karen M. Crump