Christianity

Poems

What Have We Done?

Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Heb. 13:3

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21

The Immured

We want them to have self-worth
And we destroy their self-worth

We want them to be responsible
And we take away all responsibilities

We want them to be positive and constructive
And we degrade them and make them useless

We want them to be non-violent
And we put them where there is violence all around them

We want them to be kind and loving people
And we subject them to hatred and cruelty

We want them to quit being the tough guy
And we put them where the tough guy's respected

We want them to quit hanging around losers
And we put all the "losers" under one roof

We want them to quit exploiting us
And we put them where they exploit each other

We want them to take control of their lives
And we make them totally dependent

Adapted from Making it Right by Dennis A. Challeen, South Dakota, USA

I Am

I am waiting,
waiting for the sun
to shine on me...

I am wanting,
wanting for these
stormy clouds
to pass over...

I am hurting,
hurting deep
inside
of my heart...

I am hoping,
hoping you would
dry these tears
I cry...

I am dying,
dying 'cause my love
can't be set free...

Can you feel me?
Can you feel me
trying to reach out to you
from behind these barb-wired fences
that cut one's feelings
to the bone?

Can you hear me?
Can you hear me
trying to call out to you
from behind these walls
that are made of cold stone?

Can you see me?
Can you see me trying to open up
my heart like a book
for the whole damn world
to read?

A First Nations man, written while at Headingley Correctional Institution, Manitoba

Please Talk To Me

I've come a long way since Jesus touched me,
But sometimes I still get downhearted,
And sometimes am troubled and dismayed,
And others looking on don't know the reason...
Don't understand what makes me this way.

They don't know the scars caused by rejection,
Or pain of memories that won't go away.

"Where is he at?" they wonder,
"Why does he behave that way?"

It's a long story - and it hurts with the telling,
But I need to tell it to someone,
Someone who will listen... and pray.

I know I haven't asked for help or guidance
And perhaps seem unfriendly and far away,
But, please,
Don't just shake your head, and wonder, and say,
"I love him in Jesus, but keep him out of my way."

I need you, though I don't show it,
And the reason I don't show it is that I am scared;
Scared that you'd react with horror If you knew some of my deeds;
Scared that you'd be too busy
To bother with someone like me.

Yes, I need you, please believe me.

To the Father, I am precious
He sent his Son to save me,
And YOU to befriend me
So...
Talk to me.

PLEASE TALK TO ME,
PLEASE.

Doug Burke, New Directions Vol. 1, Bible Reading Guide with David Maines, Main Road Productions, 1985