In the tomb my savior lay
Cold and thankless lifeless days,
Then on the morrow, shed his sorrow,
Rolled the massive stone away,
Arose and journeyed round the town
To tell them all no longer bound
By death’s dark grievous haughty night
To sing out loud all earth’s delight!
Copyright 2016, L.L. Shelton
So long Britney!
We bid you adieu.
Farewell Justin!
We’re all through with you.
We’ve had you atop,
We’ve had you on bottom,
In all manner of speaking-
You we’ve forgotten.
What’s that you said?
You’re feeling quite rotten?
That’s really too bad,
But it isn’t our problem.
I think maybe it is,
States a voice in the crowd.
I know it’s hard now to hear,
So I’ll shout it out loud!
There is One who may help,
For with you He’s besotted!
Since His first thought of you,
He has never forgotten.
You have been His to save!
He loves you that Way.
Return to Him now
And be His past the grave.
Copyright 2016, L.L. Shelton
Muslims are not the problem.
Jews are not the problem.
Christians are not the problem.
Republicans are not the problem.
Democrats are not the problem.
Capitalism is not the problem
Nor is communism the problem.
Blacks are not the problem.
Whites are not the problem.
Yellows are not the problem.
Neither Reds
Nor Browns are the problem.
Women are not the problem.
Men are not the problem.
Gays are not the problem.
Zombies are not the problem.
Foolishness is the problem.
Dishonesty is the problem.
Self-centeredness is the problem.
Pride is the problem.
Both greed and vanity,
The problems.
Complacency is the problem.
Apathy is the problem.
Disregard for life is the problem.
Desire for death is the problem.
Godlessness and idolatry,
The problems.
Lack of Love is the problem.
Those are the problems.
They are big problems.
They are real problems.
They are our problems.
The struggle is our own.
The battle is for each of us,
And the war belongs to all.
The problems are
Crouching at the door
Waiting to have us;
Each of us,
And all of us.
My human family,
It is past time
To get well.
Copyright, 2016. L.L. Shelton
Time on the offense
Opportunities blown,
In selfish defense
Protecting my own,
Pride as my banner
Choosing the lie,
Recklessly roaming
Brazenly high,
Rejecting the good
Imagining ill,
Acting impulsively
In vanity still,
Unmerited favor,
Unwarranted love,
All grace bestowed
From heaven above,
On a wanderer like me,
An unrighteous mess,
Heart full of anger
You chose to bless.
Your beauty is brilliant,
Your holiness bright,
Almighty perfection,
Guiding my night!
Stunningly faithful,
My Father to me,
Stunningly faithful!
How can it be?
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
God can be abstractly.
God can be exactly.
God can be a metaphor.
God can be a dinosaur.
God can be transparent.
God can be apparent.
God can be a window pane.
God can be a drop of rain.
God can be three in one.
God can be in all and some.
God can be obliquely.
God can be concretely.
God will be as God sees fit,
For God is God completely.
Copyright 2015, L.L. Shelton
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
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