Swingset Memories - 6/12/12

this is a poem I wrote back in June. I wasn't sure about posting it but I've revised it and now I feel more comfortable.

On the swingset
In the corner of the park
I am transported to a
Different place

To when I was a child
Swinging back and forth
In the living room
Trying to touch the ceiling

To when I was in elementary school
Swinging back and forth
Every recess
With my back to the playground

To when I was in the backyard
At the house where I grew up
Swinging back and forth
Playing with imaginary friends

Back to where I am
Taking in my surroundings
The silence of no one around me
The vast green fields
Large beautiful trees bordering

I close my eyes
Leaning back
Swinging back and forth
A gentle breeze encircling

I am transported
To a different place
The same but different
Beyond what we see

The sky is blue and cloudless
The air smells sweet
The green of the grass
The trees are greener

I see many people
Dressed in white
Tears and laughter
As families reunite

Coming through the trees
I see a light
I realize that
Its a man

Walking amongst the people
Welcoming, smiling
Shining brighter
Than the sun


I wish to run to them
But am held back
Swinging back and forth
In awe of what I see


I feel happiness
I feel tears
I feel joy
I feel peace


I blink
I am back
On the swingset
In the corner of the park

The Hardest Part - 7/13/12

Sometimes the hardest part is letting go
Letting go of problems
Letting go of control

Sometimes the hardest part is not knowing
Not knowing what's going to happen
Not knowing what to do

Sometimes the hardest part is waiting
Waiting for results
Waiting for the next move

Sometimes the hardest part is advice
Advice to hang in there
Advice to be patient

Sometimes the hardest part is admitting
Admitting you can't do it alone
Admitting its too much for you

Sometimes the hardest part is not worrying
Not worrying about the outcome
Not worrying about situations

Sometimes the hardest part is praying
Praying for help
Praying for answers

Sometimes the hardest part is to fall
To fall into the Father's hands
To fall into the Son's arms

If we allow ourselves
To fall on our knees
To pray to our Father in Heaven
Admit we can't do it alone

Ask for help
Be willing to wait
For answers
For the outcome

Give it up
In His hands
Accept Their mercy
Accept Their love

Then what seemed like
The hardest part
Isn't really
Hard at all

Take Upon His Name - 7/17/12

As Alma Sr instructed
At the Waters of Mormon

As King Benjamin addressed
His people at the Temple

We take upon His holy name

Its in His name
We pray to the Father
Its in His name
Which we may be saved

As we are bathed
In life giving water
As our sins were forgiven
Remembered no more

We covenant to follow
To keep the commandments
To love and serve one another
To take upon us the name of Christ

We shouldn't be
Afraid
Ashamed
Shy to stand

He was persecuted
Tortured
Abused
For what He taught

He bled from every pore
Nailed to the cross
Died and rose again
To repent for our sins

He conquered death
We have a chance to live
Its an honor to be able
To take upon His name

We don't have to
Go through
What He did
Its a blessing

I will always
Be willing to stand
For the Church

To witness
To testify
To take upon the name
Of Jesus Christ

Mouthpiece - 7/17/12

My heart starts to pound
I feel a rush of heat
Sitting in the pews
Testimony meeting

You're calling me
There's something you
Want me to say
At the podium this Sunday

I can feel
The Spirit speaking
To mine
A voice so divine

Your words pour
Into my mind
I listen carefully
To understand

I sit and wait
For my time
I get nervous
Try to keep calm

I rise and walk up there
Standing in front of the mic
Staring straight ahead
My mind goes blank

There's a pause
As they wait for me to speak
I start to shake
Look down at the red light

I wish I had
Remembered what you said
I stumble my way along
Trying to get the message across

I end and
Rush to my seat
You're words come back
With what I should've said

You assure me
I did fine
That in my own way
I brought the message

I wish I could speak
As eloquently
As beautifully
As you do

Or that I had
Time to prepare
I write better
Than I speak

I'm reminded
That its the
Simple and mild
Meek and humble

That its the
Ordinary and faithful
That you choose
For your work

Although I may
Stumble and fumble
Ramble and pause
My way along

I'm thankful
For when you choose
To use me
As a mouthpiece

Turn To You - 7/12/2012

The drops have never

Been so loud

Rolling off my cheeks

Onto the sheet below

Kneeling against my bed

Hands clasped

Forehead resting

Eyes squeezed shut

Calling

For answers

For assistance

For comfort

Crying

In pain

In sadness

In need

Pleading

For justice

For care

For help

Knowing no

Human ear

Can hear me

Only You can hear me

I gingerly get up

Aching

Wishing

I knew what to do

All I can think to do

Is turn to you

You know all

You see all

You sent us

Your Only Begotten

Our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ

He taught us

Loved us

Cared for us

Died for us

He felt everything

Our joy

Our happiness

Our sadness

Thinking of all

He went through

He knows the pain

He knows the hopelessness

Warmth comes over me

My tears dry instantly

I know You heard me

I know You’re near

Be still

Be calm

The Spirit

Tells me

Reminds me

He told me

That things will get worse

Before they get better

That was months ago

That I’m close

Look forward to the future

When things will be better

Lyrics of a song

Play in my mind

“He Said” by

Group 1 Crew

"I won't give you more
More than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know I'll never ever let you go"

I’m calmer than I

Was before

I’m thankful

For You

I know that

When there’s nothing I can do

When my hope is gone

When I feel lost

I can always turn to you

You always know

What to do

You have the master plan

In hand

With faith and patience

You’ll help us through

When there’s nothing

Left to do

I turn to you