America The Bold,
Stoops as she grows old.
Light is dimming in her eyes.
It comes as barely a surprise,
To watch her stumble ‘cross
Firm ground
Her fathers paved her all around.
She sways as in inebriation.
She cries out, “Am I yet a nation?”
Those who mourn her do so wisely,
Aware how soon her sure demise be.
As with any mother’s passing,
Those children who deserved a thrashing
Sob for themselves in soulful fashion,
Wondering who will pet their passion.
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
The strangely fluid and beautiful creature leaps and bounds in bright colorful array engulfing the structure that is the object of its appetite. A crowd gathers, for a moment stunned by the apparent freedom of this gaily frolicking entity. Then, as if shaking off a kind of stupor, someone screams to be saved.
In answer to the plea, a courageous number of that fantastic fraternity formed to fight this very devil, soon arrive and begin their bold work. The flames are doused and the remaining folks gathered at the scene, staring at the remnants of the edifice as it smolders amid the ashes, observe as the next skilled team arrives and begins the important work of inspection that will ultimately, hopefully, determine the origin of the monster.
The Church is on my mind, and having lived more than a half century now, it is my estimation that the road to perdition begins with one’s elevated view of oneself.
In America, no more than 2% of our total population is gay, and approximately .8% of the 2% are involved in a same sex relationship, and fewer still are legally married. Clearly, we have a much greater problem with other sexual sins in this country, such as fornication and adultery. Of course, even the criminal sexual sins of child molestation and rape occur more frequently among us than does the sin of practicing homosexuality.
The sanctity of marriage is intended to be built upon a foundation of sexual purity which applies to all people. The foundation has been under attack since humanity began. Most of the twentieth century saw the institution of marriage, an institution necessarily established by God for our protection and to increase our joy, being questioned and demeaned by American society in general. Yes, even we, the organized church felt it necessary to debate many issues surrounding the sanctity of marriage and family long before beginning to argue its very definition. I submit to you that we, as a church, failed to properly defend marriage against those relatively minor attacks, thus we now stand perilously close to losing the war.
However, while It may be too late for us, as a nation, to raise the stakes- it is never too late for us to up the ante as the church. Jesus did.
Jesus said, “Let’s begin with understanding lust as a sexual activity sinfully equal to adultery. Let’s begin by demanding of ourselves a clean heart.”
If we, the American population of the church, begin cleaning at the level that Our LORD mandated we may be able to effect the kind of change in our nation that is seen as nothing short of miraculous.
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
Evil like a cancer grows
Where it stops nobody knows,
ISIS twirling round and round
Floating above the higher ground,
Trailing wall climbing mound
Choking life where it may be found,
Breathing fire from down below,
Seething with rage of long ago.
Once Evil like a cancer grew
Where it would stop Winston knew,
NAZI stepping barely gave sound
Skipping round the higher ground,
Crossing border onward bound
Snuffing life where life was found,
Seething with rage from down below,
Breathing fire of long ago.
Against the evil Churchill stood
Prepared to shed his very blood.
Blood of the English in rivulets ran
Begging the world as they made their stand!
Beneath the bombs British did pray
Beseeching us to join their fray.
Resisting as evil marched their way
In Righteousness shouting, “We seize the day!”
Copyright L. L. Shelton, 2/18/2015
I see them,
Those whose feet seldom
touch the ground
those who hover somewhere
not on the earth
but in between
the dirt beneath our feet
and the heavens counting stars,
Those old and tortured souls
their destiny it seems
to bear the weight of all that’s here
then to float upon a dream.
They ride upon the light
straddling a beam
come crashing to the ground
struggling to sing.
Lonesome primal moans
progress to morbid screams
but listen a bit longer
you’ll hear the harmony
as they begin to be
brought up to their knees
and rising to their feet
become a melody,
Strains of which so sweet
warn the heart may break
filled thus full with joy
as now we watch Him make
choir threatening to destroy
while promising to bring
peace to those buried in the ground
to those raised up
and to those seldom seen.
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
Rain fell heavy on my way here,
My world felt harsh and bleak.
I thought I may not make it near,
That I could hear you speak.
I showed up chilled, was shivering,
You opened wide your door.
You lead me till my soul was stilled.
I rest as I’ve done before.
You know when it’s safe to touch me
And when not to stand so close,
And when to simply watch me,
That I’ll know I’m not alone.
See when the ground beneath me
Is all I have. Don’t get me wrong.
I’d like to give it up but
It’s the only place where I belong.
See the ghosts I’m haunted with,
Oh, speak to them for me!
I’ve been at war for too long.
God heal my memory.
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
(This poem was originally written as a dedication to Buffie, Cindy, and Jill, and some time following came to be inclusive of my thoughts of Amber. I have many lovely sisters in Christ, but these women, so close to me in age, life experience, shared values and ability to love, are my heart.)
In Him she will rise
In my darkest hour
Loving steadfastly
Filled with His power
Hopeful in sorrow
Faithful while wise
My new tomorrow
Shines from her eyes.
In Him she will rise
My brightest joy herald
Announcing His prize
His praises carol
Knowing He raises
Me to my place
His infinite mercy
Shines in her face.
Together we stand
Our hearts in our hands
Offering to share
What we know of I AM
Our honor is bound
Our courage is found
To be to each other
Jesus The Lamb.
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton
Vision blinding
Vision bright
Vision darker
Than the night
Vision seeing
Vision glowing
Vision feeling
Vision sowing
Now the reaping
Cold winds blowing
Turns away
From awful knowing
Vision clearing
Vision bright
Vision plowing
Through the night
Vision seeing
Vision growing
Vision feeling
Vision knowing
Now the reaping
Brings the morning
Turning toward
The Artful Knowing
L.L. Shelton, Copyright 2014
You are Life
And into It you breathed
Your Spirit,
Into created form- Your body,
Into created formless- Your soul,
I am enamored of You.
I love The Zoo.
You are Life
And into me you breathed
Your Spirit,
Into my body- Your creation,
Into my soul- Your salvation,
I am enamored of You.
I love The Zoo.
I will follow Life
Anywhere or everywhere
Spirit lead,
Into created form- Your worlds,
Into created formless- Your worlds,
Anywhere and everywhere
I am enamored of You.
I love The Zoo.
I will nurture Life
Anywhere or everywhere
Spirit fed,
Into my body- Your health
Into my spirit- Your strength
Anywhere and everywhere
I am enamored of You.
I love The Zoo.
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton
Drones flying,
Children are crying,
They’re alone in the dark,
And it’s breaking the heart.
But they’ll be good- never tell,
Cause this must be love.
This must be love.
Is it from Heaven
Or is it from Hell?
Neighbors spying,
While not even trying,
From his poor perspective-
See! It’ll never be his objective,
To lighten his brothers large load,
Cause this must be love.
This must be love.
Is it from Heaven
Or is it from Hell?
She sits by the phone,
Wonders when he’ll be home,
These days his boss is on his back.
Key in the door and he braces himself,
Knows he’s in for yet another attack,
Cause this must be love.
This must be love.
Is it from Heaven
Or is it from Hell?
Staring at pictures.
Girls wearing no clothes,
My wife must do, I suppose.
He closes his eyes remembering.
He doesn’t respond to her trembling,
Cause this must be love.
This must be love.
Is it from Heaven
Or is it from Hell?
We know the Truth!
We have the Proof!
We have to tell-
Tell it so well.
This isn’t Love!
This can’t be Love!
Love is from Heaven,
Love’s Grand, and it’s real.
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton
All the pretties that you dangle,
The glitter and the gold,
Will not entice me from my Maker’s hand
For in it I’ve grown bold.
I am nurtured by His goodness.
I am nourished by His grace.
I am wrapped up in His Presence,
Most Glorious Hiding Place!
Though in my frailty I would flee,
His faithfulness has rescued me.
I am tethered by His Love,
Unfailing Master of Eternity!
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton