Brother

Brother,
brother,
in a room that was never in my home,
in a year which I remained unborn,
you made the decisions
which would allow us to roam,
together in adventures,
in a future not as distant.

Brother,
you brought me in
to your heart’s innermost rooms,
you sought me in
my hearts drowning cries.

Brother,
What’s that mean?
Yes, the word, just a word.

How come here, in this sphere
the meaning can be more real?
When the only blood we share, is that of our Lord?
Our family is stronger,
more unified when it’s from him.

Brother,
take a look at the change
you’ve seen.
My old life, my regretted choices,
a waiting bucket of kerosene.
But you had faith,
because of the promise you had already gleaned.
You knew the truth, that I had misidentified my identity.

I now no longer strive for those
that live to take,
and live to die;
for pleasures that bite like snakes,
and spin illusions to live inside.

Now I’m free to give it all,
to live beside those,
that will catch me if I stumble
and if I fall.

Brother in life,
forever beside.
No stronger bond
my brother in Christ.

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Step into Reality

Father and son,
dust billowing as tracks imprint
during expeditions inside the city limit.

Escape to further wonders my son,
the father hopes in possible futility.
So often his wishes dissipate,
like the thinning mane
of a roaring dandelion.

Simplicity, in this reserve of the city.
Not insignificant,
respite not completely insufficient.

Because steps
taken beside,
a future
wandering heart,
are hopeful signposts left
in the darkness of luminescent screens.

Perhaps the footprints,
or maybe the skipped rocks,
possibly the bathing mallards,
or our sweet banana muffins smelt by the red fox,
will leave enough of a footprint,
a deep enough outline,
a pillar of memory in this,
my son’s young mind.

Oh yes, I certainly hope.
Most likely to no avail,
that you will see the awe,
and the beauty of this trail.

My son I understand,
how our father hopes for us.
How he has our best interests planned
and hopes in him we’ll trust.

For I hope the same for you,
but yet,
what amazes and also shakes
my core and comprehension,
is that even with confidence
in finite physical wisdom,
I cannot come infinitesimally close,
to our father’s grand plans.
I cannot even approach the splendor
of our father’s love for us.
Because I know and rejoice,
In the fact that it’s much greater,
than even my highest hopes and most majestic dreams,
could ever be for you.

So come now and hear,
the birds sing and the creek sigh.
Imagine my love, incomprehensibly magnified.

Seek me seeking him
and you will find,
the right path, the trail past,
all your worries and your woes.
And you will become as gentle through him,
as that yonder wandering doe.

Countenance

As a preface, I usually write stories, but this is a song. It’s a song about being seen and heard when the difficulties that life and evil load upon us become too much to bear. It’s a song about having the confidence to step out and meet others where they’re at. It’s a song about being empathetic and being there for a friend or a stranger when you can see they need you to be.

Countenance,
countenance,

What’s this veil? This darkness? This eclipse in the midst of the son?

Countenance is down,
face is a frown that no one sees but one.

Please, show me your face, son.
Please, give me your grace, son.

You’re somehow gone, but not forgotten.
Your imprint lingers, but is washed away by these tides,
the doubts,
these lies,
these bouts of darkness when I can’t seem to see through.

This veil that was laid down on my face,
the vibrancy,
the life,
the spirit of Christ,
just a distant memory?

How? Why now, when it was all right?
When you walked the footsteps beside me Lord?

Countenance,
Countenance,

Shoulders slumped,
downtrodden,
face a frown.

Unapproachable, he’s down and…
Unapproachable, she’s down and…

Obeyed the call, a friend did, a neighbor did, a listener did.

To speak on behalf, of the Lord over all,
to speak peace, and grace, and light into someone’s darkened hall.

Lord, you heard my cry.
Brother, sister, you obeyed even though it didn’t feel right.

And now,

countenance,
countenance,

The lifted veil.

Countenance,
countenance,

How did I ever think you were gone.

Countenance,
countenance.

Radiate through my eyes, for Jesus has banished that lord of lies.

Countenance…
Head held high.

Countenance…
Praises bellowed, to the sky.