you are an arm
maybe a hand or finger
as important as a toe
or rib
but not God.
you have a place, a role, a duty
crafted from God’s own hands
you must
sense it, love it, keep it
and remember that it takes more
than a pinky to flourish.
Category Archives: Poetry
-54-
the sign of a doer rests not in the mind
nor bound shelves or desirable degrees
social provocation or party destinations
checks cut or figured salaries
worn crucifixes or alter calls
the sign of a doer rests on the feet
grass stained and torn
blistered and cracked
dirty from toil
cut from strife
tired from pursuit
laced from posture
doers rest on bended knees
while others nod and clap
the weight of anticipation forces
itself on the silt-filled feet of doers
who have done what needed done
for kingdom come.
— 27 —
pray
without ceasing
they said
but
there is
life to live
people to love
places to go
books to read
music to hear
flowers to smell
rivers to see
mountains to climb
the well
runs
dry
there
in
the days
with no numbers
amongst
the morning breaths
and enemies
the city fights
and bad harmonies
the unmade beds
and crying babies
the poisoned streams
and wet tent memories
pray
without
ceasing
REDEEMED
WAKE
From the soil, they rose, in the footsteps of the King.
The fruit hung low, trees ripe, birds sing.
Flesh, emboldened, and pure in form.
The days before the veil need torn.
TOIL
The sea, it spread, the rocks were thrown.
A harp, the wars, an exile bemoaned.
He’ll come one day, they cried out below.
The vines sat ripe, seeds to be sown.
REST
For a moment, they sit, they stare in awe.
The walls knocked down, so too, the law.
A dove flies near, with watchful eyes.
Sins of the world, gone with a sigh.
KNEEL
Hands held, head down, a state of prayer.
It makes no sense — not just, nor fair.
That He shall die, so I shall live.
On bended knees, my life I give.
-David Ray
-24-
Dawn.
Yesterday, washed with the shore. Today, risen with the doves.
Hot mugs, torn bindings — a compelling start.
Whisking worries, precious prayers, distant dreams.
A new sun brings light. Creates promise. Drives creation.
There is hope in the world, when the rooster crows.
Noon.
Elevators and handshakes and the Times and screens.
Pulled from here to there: the goal? Stay true.
But the collar pulls tight and the walls ring blank.
The clock ticks leisurely and the coffee is cold.
There is profit in the world, when the coat drapes shoulders.
Dusk.
There’s the sun, again. It’s been too long, old friend.
The plates are on the table and the six o’ clock news is on the set.
Would you stay awhile? Kick up your feet and wet your lips?
Tomorrow, it will come. Tonight, we dance.
There is love in the world, when the table is full.
Midnight.
The stars waltz, the moon hangs, the sky awakens.
The trees whisper bedtime tales of the days of long ago.
She’s asleep, the sun, there’s peace beneath the pines.
For a moment, there is silence. There is tranquility. There is stillness.
There is peace in the world, when the owl makes its bed.
— David Ray
– f m s –
After a trip through the Gospels over the past month, I compiled my favorite things Jesus said, and created this poem. As it did to me, I hope it serves as a cold splash to the face. A reminder that Jesus said many beautiful things, all of which challenge the very core of our humanity. To sell our possessions in order to follow him, to deny ourselves and turn the other cheek, to love our neighbors including our enemies, and to remember it is finished and to feed his sheep.
Come, follow me.
Become fishers of men.
Ask and it will be given to you.
Let the dead bury their own dead.
Go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor.
Enter through the narrow gate.
Turn your cheek.
Do not judge or you will be judged.
He must deny himself and take up his cross.
First, take the plank out of your own eye.
Where are they? Has no one condemned you. Neither do I.
Take courage, it is I.
Love your neighbor.
Change and become like little children.
Look at the birds of the air.
Love your enemies.
Lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Stay here and keep watch.
It is finished.
Do not be afraid.
That your joy may be made full.
For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.
Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Feed my sheep.
-David Ray
Each line was pulled from a passage in the four canonical gospels, where Jesus was speaking.
Antiquated Dreams
well-kept hair and a charming smile
grass stains cover your sin meanwhile
peddlin’ through life with your fists clenched
destiny slippin’ away with every step
***
where’s the sensibility?
metro rides and front porch magazines
your sheets to keep you warm
and all those antiquated dreams
***
put on that button and tie
slip off to your runaway high
those infinite plots grabbin’ at your coat
the stories you tell won’t let you go
***
where’s the sensibility?
new york style and false kept memories
those sheets won’t keep you warm
damn those antiquated dreams
***
tempted by the fate of man
you swept the rug, you washed your hands
love, you do, but don’t know why
what good’s the sun without its rise?
***
where’s the sensibility?
indie bands and sweet sung melodies
your sheets, they’re on the floor
where are your antiquated dreams?
-David Ray
-38-
Whisper.
Rise with the sun and resonate with its glory.
Kiss the clay from which you were formed.
Toil with your thoughts.
Smell the grass. The soil. The production.
Run. Barefoot.
Let the silt fill nooks. Let the dew spring up. Let the leaves overtake you.
Speak.
Of love and fresh cut grass and September.
Of your mother, the beach, and Sunday morning.
Tell them while you’re young.
To feel the breeze. To embrace the rain.
Sleep by the moon and rise with its descent.
Write. Because you can. Create stories.
Scream.
Against inequality and disaster.
Shed tears, but give hands. Anger, but thirst. Fail, but start again.
Do not shy from battle.
Fight for justice. Rage for truth. Drive your heart.
Leave your sword on the field. Your pride in shambles. Your hands blistered.
Stop.
Wrestle with your mind.
Fly.
To the hilltop patches and river curves.
Dive.
Let your soul weep. Grasp the gravity of your existence.
Smile.
There’s today. And tomorrow, if only.
Do not live by a clock. Toss it out.
Live for the day.
Bask in the brilliance of your every breath.
Dirty your feet.
-David Ray
The Celestial Blunder
The stars, the sun, the moon, they scream your name.
The wind, the rain, the trees, they block it out.
Against all odds, I love you all the same.
My heart, for you, it burns just like a flame.
I cannot hold it back, I scream and shout.
The stars, the sun, the moon, they scream your name.
You pity me, and give yourself the blame.
I want to find your heart, at least the route.
The wind, the rain, the trees, they block it out.
Your beauty, it deserves the sweetest fame.
I look at you, amazed, there is no doubt.
The stars, the sun, the moon, they scream your name.
No longer will my heart let me stay tame.
I must profess my love, to you, all out.
The wind, the rain, the trees, they block it out.
Funny, is it? To you, it’s just a game.
I bleed, I hurt, I ache, I throb, I pout.
The stars, the sun, the moon, they scream your name.
The wind, the rain, the trees, they block it out.
DA
