There are stars in the sky
Much too high for us to climb,
Do you know why?
There are diamonds in the ground
Much too deep for us to find,
Do you know why?
There are bright rays dancing ’round
Move too fast for us to grasp,
Do you know why?
There are fragrances so sweet
Yet not meant for us to eat,
Do you know why?
Then settle down and rest with me
As contentment must be
Our destiny.
Copyright 2017. L.L. Shelton.
If only I could converse long
Of tea parties and indulgences
Of shades and variations in fabrics
Of patterns round the rim of fragile glass,
If only I should speak more than a moment
On the new shopping ground
On the best luncheon spot
On who is coming and going,
If only I would be entertained
By tales of her pool’s cracked foundation
By tales of her housekeeper’s slacking
By tales of her recent vacation,
But, alas! I am bereft of these abilities,
For He has made me to think too hard
For He has made me to wonder too far
For He has made me too often to ask,
I’m sorry, what was it that you said?
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton
Before The Fall
Existed all
With no blood shed,
Under One Head,
Absolute community.
Mine is to anticipate
Full return unto that state,
Under One Head,
With no blood shed,
One As All Living to be lead.
Copyright 2017. L.L. Shelton.
Could it be that Hard Rock and Elaine
Would be one in the same,
But for the place where each
Grew weathered
And felt the effects of the game,
In the dark alley littered with trash
As on those streets with no name,
Or in those forests of green
Came of age
Beside the Camp Hall of Fame?
Each one stood for something innate,
A need to stand fierce for what’s true,
Holding tight to all that is right
Forsaking
The many to bless the few.
Copyright 2015. L.L. Shelton.
When one is large as you
There is no place
For we to stand
May as well go looking
For some other promised land.
Wanted to walk with you
Path so worn
From pacing on your own
Instead was forced to skirt the edge
Traipsing through weeds overgrown.
Copyright 2014, L.L. Shelton
Something wicked
This way comes
It’s behind the shower curtain
Run run run
Something wicked
This way comes
It’s underneath the table
Run run run
Something wicked
This way comes
It’s crawling in the wall
Run run run
Something wicked
This way comes
It’s crouching round the door
Run run run
Something wicked
This way comes
It’s waiting to devour you
Run run run
Something righteous
This way comes
It’s holding up a mirror
Dumb dumb dumb
Something righteous
This way comes
Put your fingers in your ears
Hum hum hum
Copyright 2016. L.L. Shelton
Here am I.
I’m so confused.
Standing here wondering
What more have I to lose…
My only hope,
To comprehend
How this came to be
And the purpose in His hand.
I need to know.
My drug’s the clarity I seek.
When I find it for a moment
I can scarcely breathe;
Everything is slowed.
Whirlwind ride that’s killing me,
Brought to a pause and I
See Whom I believe.
Copyright 2016, L.L. Shelton
Grow! Grow!
You shouted,
As your fingers crushed
The delicate blossom.
Live! Live!
You screamed,
As your hands strangled
Away all the air.
Be glad! Be glad!
You insisted,
As your sneer wiped clean
A wisp of a smile.
Be light! Be light!
You demanded,
As your feet stomped out
Faint glow of embers.
Be full! Be full!
You commanded,
As your words emptied
Last crumbs from the bowl.
Copyright 2016, L.L. Shelton
My Beloved Father in Heaven,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to make this plea in a public place for I hope that it will find a home in the hearts of others who want these same things for which I pray.
Please forgive me when I fail you and provide me the strength to be more nearly representative of you each day.
By your Grace, please allow that I am never made to stand against my fellow human being. Yet if it must be, grant me the fortitude to bear it.
By your Grace, allow me rather in spite of all my human frailty to forgive, and yet in Truth to uphold your mercy and your justice knowing and accepting you to be the judge of souls and that your’s is the only legitimate judgement; giving me leave to enjoy others in both loving fellowship and loving witness and permitting me the discernment to realize the difference.
By your Grace, please allow my human American brothers within and outside of The Faith sight, that we may continue to imagine a pure vision free of the persecution of one another, and full of love for one another as human beings created in your image.
By your Grace, allow America to continue in true wisdom and to provide a secure home in which all have opportunity to worship you freely; a home for the weak, the downtrodden, and the oppressed- though it be of great cost to us, and do continue your blessing upon us and make a great human family of us in spite of our diversity and because of our commonalities.
By Your Grace, My Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
2017, L.L. Shelton