overcome

reeling from the feeling

from a shot in the dark

from the hand of a friend

added to the top

of an already hurting frame

kicked by the harsh

of what i hear and see

of what’s going on

in our world

who can sustain

keep from falling in

and swallowed by the din

of night

and forget what is right

who can endure

outside of knowing

what’s going on

to bury oneself

in the stillness of outside

in the thickets and the groves

the open meadows

and the hills

with the mountains standing guard

to keep one’s grip

while bleeding

in the face of every occassion

while the repetition of yesterday

the evil deeds done in the dark

though some play in plain sight

since time immemorial,

the unseen routine

goes on and on

while your insides scream

for change of relief

that someone might understand

the sound of your voice

and what you really want to say

is what they too feel

to hear them say,

yes, there’s more to this life

than food and drink

and entertainment

let’s talk about . . .

i will live,

yeah, mark, my friend,

i will walk by faith

the fire darts hurt like hell

the lies make me dizzy drunk

but the everlasting truth is in me

his spirit is strong

especially when i am weak

inner joy springs

up within my prayers

they flow out like waterfall torrents

kill my flesh

but never my spirit

while those that do evil

let them

while those that do good

he who endures to the end

will win a crown of life

i will preserve

i will keep

though this day

my joints throb

my teeth ache as much

in their sockets

of what was done against

and being done,

to the children of the light

in this nation

across the world

though i still

and more each day

walk feeble

my knees tremble much

i will burn the flame of faith