Hope

HOPE

A four letter word

That is often forgotten

Because in sorrow

It is hard to find hope

We all need hope

We need this word

To be kept in our heads

And kept in our hearts

Hope can open doors, 

Which were once locked

Hope can restore and reconcile

Trust and relationships

We all need to hope

Hope to be healed

Hope to be restored

Hope to be forgiven

We need to claim this word

We need to claim hope

We need to live in hope

Because hope is powerful

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2014

Dance it Out

All my pain, all my troubles

They are always with me

No idea how to dismiss them

What shall I do?

Something I once heard

Dance it out

Dance all the problems away

Just let yourself go

So I did, I danced it out

And I felt free

Danced like no one was watching

And it lifted my spirit

I felt free, I felt joy

My heart beating fast

And the adrenaline flowing

So when feeling low, Dance it out.

Jo Anne Kennedy

December 2014

Ease My Troubles

Its the middle of the night

I am meant to be asleep

But my brain does not agree

And my thoughts are doing overtime

All the troubles and thoughts of the day

Seem to not want to disappear

I just want to go to sleep

Not relive my troubled day

I try to block the negative thoughts

And replace them with positivity

To help my brain relax

And my eyes close to sleep

But my plan is not working

What can I do to ease my troubles?

To remove the tension from my body

And get me over to sleep

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Save Me

I hear voices in my head

Everywhere I go I feel surrounded

Surrounded by images and thoughts

I am scared

Scared of the pain

The pain that may fall on me

Am I in danger with these voices?

Are these images going to hurt me?

Please help me and make me at ease

Please let me know it's you

Let me know it's you keeping me from danger

Keeping me safe from sin

Without you I am nothing

You help me face my dears

And you help me conquer the world

Thanks for watching over me

And being my guide through life

Sticking with me through the good and the bad

You are my protector and my strength

My will to carry on

Please save me from myself

Jo Anne Kennedy   March 2004

You are the One

The first time I saw you

I knew it was love

The words that you spoke to me

The things you did to me

You made me feel special

As if I was unique

Maybe to you I am

But to everyone else I am not

What they day doesn't matter

Only your opinion counts

Its you I care about, not them

I trust you and everything you say

I follow the path you lay for me

Its you I turn to in times of need

And its you I want to spend my life with

Please be with me til the end

Don't let anything tear us apart

Or let the love fade into the darkness

Like the say when it turns to night

Let there be everlasting light

Jo Anne Kennedy    August 2000

My Destiny

You are the one for me; you are my destiny

When I see you my heart beats faster

When I see you the flame burns brighter

When I'm with you it makes me happy

There's always a smile on my face

And happiness in my heart

When I'm not with you I feel sad

I wonder what you're doing and who you are with

If you're thinking about me or enjoying yourself to much

Wherever I am, whatever I'm doing or whoever I'm with

You are always in my thoughts

I hope I'm in yours!

Joanne Kennedy  Ó  October 1998

Communication

They say I don’t communicate enough

But when I do, they turn away

Or else talk about themselves

They are hypocrites

They ignore me and then ask me what’s wrong

I say I have things on my mind

They want to know

If they do, they should communicate with me

It’s not me that is the problem

I communicate they just don’t listen

Joanne Kennedy  Ó March 1998

Face of a Warrior

You have got the face of a warrior

Set intently on the task at hand

Fighting the enemy

And defending your army

Every morning when you awake

You need to put the armour on

To start each day equipped

So you can stand up strong 

First up is the belt of truth

Buckled around your waist

To help you stand firm

And keep you on the straight

Second is the breastplate of righteousness

Sitting in the perfect place

To protect the fragile heart

And keep you a strong warrior

Third is protecting the feet

Equipping them with readiness

That comes from the gospel of peace

To keep you standing strong

Fourth is the shield of faith

Held up front and proud

To extinguish the flaming arrows

To put you off your fight 

Fifth is the helmet of salvation

Used to protect the head

And stop it being infiltrated and broken

By the thoughts of the enemy

Lastly is the sword of the spirit

All living, powerful and sharp

Ready to strike at the enemy

And ward off the evil one 

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Wallets

Half of the world

Their wallets are full to burst

Coins on onside

Notes on the other

The other half of the world

Their wallets are empty

No coins to put in it

And no crisp notes either

Is it fair that one half

Live in abundance and plenty

While the other half go hungry

With no money to buy even bread

There needs to be a change

The two halves should be the same

Enjoying the same benefits

And access to food and money

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Pain is The Only Thing

Life is a funny thing

It throws a lot of stuff at you

Some that you embrace openly

And others that knock you to the ground

Sometimes joy is abundant

And smiles are overflowing

Your heart feels that it may burst

Because of the love flowing inside

Sometimes it doesn't go too well

Your heart aches and breaks

And pain is the only thing

That haunts your mind and body

One thing is for sure

That whatever is going on

Whatever life throws at you

There is one constant standing by

We need to believe in the one

Turn to Him in our hour of need

And praise Him in times of joy

There is always someone standing beside you

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Burning Incandescently

From my window I sat and watched

Watching the fire slowly rise

The flames all golden and red

Licking around the walls

Slowly the colours become brighter

The fire furious and hot

The windows starting breaking

And all I did was watch

It was a mesmerising sight

Watching the fire burning incandescently

Seeing the house starting to crumble

And the flames burning bright

I am overwhelmed by the power of the fire

I am scared at the force of the fire

I wonder what is going to happen

Yet I just stand there and watch 

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Cut Throat

The world is a cut throat place

Everyone is out for themselves

Getting what they want

To make them succeed in life

Everyone walks down the street

Absorbed in their own worlds

Headphones in, world silenced out

Focusing on their next task

People sitting on the street

Holding signs saying please help

But no one looks their way

Ignoring the homeless and the hungry

We cannot continue like this

We need to stop and look around

To see the world around us

And reach out to those in need

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

A Familiar Paradise

I am struggling in this world

I feel choked and suffocated

My thoughts are dragging me down

Like weeds in a flourishing garden

I want to escape, I need to breathe

The smog is suffocating me

Getting into my lungs

And turning them black

I want to go back to my place

The place where I felt loved

I need to be in a familiar paradise

Surrounded by love and goodness

I need the peacefulness and calm

To be filled with the joy

And like a blossoming flower

Full of colour and energy

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Matador Dance

It is hard to find a way

A way to connect with you

We go towards each other,

Then we don't know what to do

We dance around each other

In a state of confusion and fear

Not knowing how to talk

Or how to show our love

I want to be your friend

I don't want to reject you

Or you to reject me

But we can't communicate

The way we are with each other

It's like a matador dance

One step forward, two steps back

Afraid to connect in the middle

Jo Anne Kennedy

November 2014

Uninvited

Like an uninvited guest

You walk into my life

Not asked for, not wanted

But yet you still decide to come

I wish you would disappear

But that seems unlikely

As it appears you are here to stay

An uninvited guest into my life

But, I suppose since you're not for shifting

Then I need to embrace your existence

And get used to your presence

As an uninvited guest into my life

I am not sure if we can be friends

But I accept that you are here

And one day maybe that will change

But for now just try and be kind to me

We need to fit in with each other

I'll start to accept your existence

If you give me the space to breathe

And learn to live with you by my side

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

Heart of Ice

You are the Snow Queen

You have a heart of ice

And a stare so piercing

It would break the soul

But you still have the power

To gather people around you

And when you speak

They hang on every word

What is it about you?

Why have you so much power?

Why won't your heart thaw?

What makes you bitter and raw?

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

Remember

Remember the day we met

It was very frosty and wet

The snow was beginning to fall

And the rain splashing off the wall

I looked over and met your eyes

And your look took me by surprise

You started to walk over to me

Where I was sitting beside the tree

You came over and took my hand

And helped me up to stand

It was that moment that I knew

All I wanted was you

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

Molten Seduction

When I look into your eyes

It feels like molten seduction

My heart bursts like a volcano

Pumping furiously waiting to erupt

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

Shadows

Shadows are everywhere

It is hard to escape them

Shadows in the darkness of a room

Which scare you in your dreams

Shadows created by light

Which help make shadow pictures

And put a smile on your face

These are welcome shadows

But, the haunting shadows, it is unwelcome

It follow you around day and night

It is there in the dark playing on the mind

And making it hard to breathe

You wake up in the morning, a new day

Hoping the shadow will not haunt you

But there is is, every minute, every hour

With no intention of leaving you

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

Unwanted Thoughts

Unwanted thoughts enter my head

It's like the mind is a tape

A tape which just keeps on playing

And the stop button is broken

It's a tape of negative thoughts

One after another, no pausing

Thoughts of no one likes me

Or why can't I get a break in life

It's just one thing after another

Rejection, illness and heartache

Please, I don't want any more

Stop the negativity, stop the pain

However, through all this I have you

I cling to you, I come to you

Through all the disappointment

You are right there with me

You walk beside me all the time

And when I'm too tired to walk

You carry me, you share my burden

You are the one who sees me through

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2014

The Serpent Crusher

The Serpent Crusher,

Which one is he?

Is he the one with the non-burning bush?

Or the one who survived the flood?

No they did not crush the serpent

The serpent has not been crushed

He is still wandering the earth

The one to crush him is still to come

So who is the serpent crusher?

Is he the one who just disappeared?

Is he the one with the army of brass?

No it’s neither of those

The serpent has not been crushed

He is still wandering the earth

The one to crush him is still to come

But who is he?

Is he the one spoke of in the gospels?

The one who proclaimed to be King

The man who opened blind eyes

And healed those who were sick

Is he the one who died for us?

Who gave his life to save us?

Without a thought for himself

His father gave his only Son

Yes he is the one

He is the serpent crusher

His death spoke victory

            And our sins were forgiven               

The serpent may be dead

But sin is still strife, because 

Though we have been sinned

 We still don’t obey

We still take control

Even though victory has been won

We still obey the serpent

Even though the serpent has been crushed.

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2008

Dance to the End

My life, it feels like a dance

Its one step forward

Then one step back

A funny little dance

Like a jig or a waltz

Ending with a cute little curtsy!

It’s sometimes a wait

To find the next step

And move to the next level

It’s like a pop idol show

Where you wait in the wings

To see if you’ll get another go

It’s a waiting game

But the wait can be stressful

Or it can be fun

But I’m in the game to the end

Waiting for the last dance

In the final show

What will it bring?

Only one person can know

And that I’m willing to let go

Because one day I’ll know

One day I’ll end the game

And life will be an eternal dance

April 2008 ©

Joanne Kennedy

Lost my Way

Laughter in your eyes

But pain in my heart

You think it’s all a joke

But you make me break

You broke my soul

You broke my heart

My life changed

And my world faltered

I lost my heart beat

I lost my balance

But though you knocked me down

I got right back up again

April 2008

Joanne Kennedy ©

My heart aches

My heart aches

I need you by my side

But you are not there

And that makes my heart break

I honour the one who made me

By not being able to see you

But it hurts

And makes my heart ache

I want to be with you

But you are different from me

And the faith tears us apart

Which makes my heart ache

 I’m sorry I have to do what’s right

Even if it’s not right for us

It’s what’s asked of me

And it makes my heart ache

But by honouring my creator

I will be honoured and fulfilled

My heart will be full

And no more will it ache

No more pain, no more sorrow

No more tears, mo more aches

Only joy, laughter and praise

Because no more will my heart ache

Joanne Kennedy

April 2008 ©

All the time

Saturday night, Sunday morning

Sunday afternoon, Sunday night

That’s all the time I have to tell him how I feel

All the time I have to sort things out

With him and with me

Will he listen?

Will he take it in?

Will this be the last time?

The last time I have to talk with him

The last time I have to walk with him

A voice tells me it will,

While another voice says it won’t

Don’t know what one to believe

But I don’t care or do I?

I’ll take things in my stride

And see how they turn out

That’s what I’ll do

Joanne Kennedy Ó November 1998

You are the way

Some people hear me calling your name

They think I’m insane

But I know I’m not

For my belief in you is true

I believe you are the one

The one who brightens up my life

The one who gives me a reason to live

I live for you

When I’m lost I turn to you

When I’m upside you turn me around

Cos you are the only one

The only one for me

My love comes from you

My happiness comes from you

You control my life

And that's why, its's a life worth living

Joanne Kennedy  © December 1999

With you by my side

Twenty Two years together

Lots of memories

Some of them good

Some of them bad

But I’m glad you are by my side

Ever since I met you

I’ve been besotted by you

Every time I look at you

My heart still leaps

I’m glad you are by my side

You are a typical Irish belle

But with Spanish eyes

And everytime I look at you

I get lost in your eyes

I’m glad you are by my side

Rumours have been spread about me

About me and my infidelity

But never would I betray you

Cos my love for you is so strong

I’m glad that you are by my side

Never did I think the tables would turn

And the rumours would be about you

One night of fun when I was away

My heart has been broken

By this apparent foul play

You deny all the rumours

Tell me you have been true

Tell me I’m the one for you

And darling I believe you

And forever will be by your side

Joanne Kennedy  ã

November 2004 

Why are you so against me?

Why are you so against me?

What have I done?

Why do you despise me?

And look at me as if I am dumb?

Don’t say it’s not true

Because I know it is

From the looks you give me

From the words that you don’t say

You have been against me from the start

I do not know why

You have judged me from day one

And that judgement has not changed

Why are you so against me?

What have I done?

Why do you despise me?

And look at me as if I am dumb?

Don’t say it’s not true

As I know it is

Other people can see it

From the way you act towards me

You snub me when you see me

You ignore me when I am there

You treat me different from the others

As if I was a leper and contagious

Are you jealous of me?

That cannot be the answer

As there is nothing in me

For you to want

Have I stolen something of yours?

Do you want what I have?

Are you jealous of that?

If so, why?

  

Are you jealous of me?

There is no reason to be

In many ways we are similar

Maybe that is the problem

Why are you so against me?

What have I done?

Why do you despise me?

And look at me as if I am dumb?

Joanne Kennedy

October 2000 ©

When you....?

When you are near me,

My knees weaken

My heart beats faster,

And my tongue is tied

When you kiss me,

The earth moves,

The sky lights up,

And my heart skips a beat

When you go,

The sun goes down,

The sky’s open and the rain pour down

The sun will not shine until I’m in your arms again

Joanne Kennedy Ó November 1998

What If?

What if……?

It’s a question we ask ourselves frequently

What if I looked differently?

Would my life change?

What if I listen to the Bee Gees?

What if I watch E.R?

Who cares?

It doesn’t make my life anymore different than others

What if the world wasn’t made?

Then we wouldn’t be here

What if Adam hadn’t sinned?

Then there would be no evil in the world

What if people are different from you?

We all live differently

Have our own ways of living

We are all unique in one way or another

Joanne Kennedy Ó March  1999

Waking up to reality

I was listening to you tonight

And the realisation hit me

That for the past two years

I have been untrue to you

In my naivety and in my weakness

I have been focusing on another

Listening to his every word

And showering him in adoration

I thought all this was harmless

Though my thoughts are possessed

With the words and actions

Of a man who exudes charisma

I never thought I’d lose control

Of the thoughts in my mind

I never thought this obsession

Would escalate as much as it has

When I was listening to you

I heard you say ‘What about me’?

And it woke me up to the reality

The reality of what is True

I just want to say I’m sorry

I’m sorry for excluding you

And leaving you out in the cold

I promise to turn my attention to you

I never thought something so harmless

Could go out of control so easily

I never meant to hurt you

All I can really say is I am sorry

Joanne Kennedy ©

November 2004 

Voices in the Head

So many voices speaking

One saying do this

The other telling me to do that

Which one do I choose?

Which voice is the right one?

Which voice is wrong?

Its good verses evil,

Right verses wrong

I am confused

Which voice do I obey?

Which suggestion would benefit me better?

What one would bless my life?

I need help, so I pray

I pray to God to be with me,

Watch over me and care for me

My answer may now arrive

Prayer is a strong part of faith

God helps you through prayer

He is always there for you,

Watching and listening to you

Don’t let things get you down

And if they do,

Turn to God, as He is the father

The father of this world

He loves everyone

Sinners or Saints

God knows what you do

But he wants you to tell him anyway

Joanne Kennedy ©

October 2001

Unrequited Love

Everytime I see you I go weak

My heart always misses a beat

And my stomach does acrobats

I am falling in love with you every day

When time passes where I do not see you

I feel incomplete

It’s as if a piece is missing

And will only be found when you are around

I want you more each day

I long for you each day

And I just wish

That one day you’ll love me too

I can’t stand the pain of being alone

Of being without you

And watching you with another

When all I want is you and me together

Joanne Kennedy

September 2005 ©

Three in One

Like a Whirlwind whizzing around me

Like the waves of a splashing sea

This is how you appear to me

In everything I do

You are around me everywhere I go

You are like an invisible friend to me

You watch me and you guide me

In everything I do

You are my friend, my lover and my family

You are three in one to me

You are my friend all day and night

You guide me from wrong to right

You guide me and counsel me

You are everything to me

Your me friend, my lover and my family

You’re three in one to me

  

  Joanne Kennedy ©

September 2000

This is it, its final

This is it, its final

You have gone

You have left me

You gave me my wish

But I don’t want it

I want you back

This is it, it’s final

I have gone

I have left you

I gave you your wish

But I don’t want it

I want you back

Two lives, One wish

One wants it, the other doesn’t

He gives in, wishes he hadn’t

So does she

But it was for the best

It wouldn’t have worked

There was love,

There was passion

They wanted each other

There was friction

There was a past
He wanted her, she didn’t want him

This is it, it’s final

He’s gone; he’s left her

Wishes he hadn’t, so does she

It’s over but no one wants it

They want each other back

But will that happen?

Will love reunite them again?

Will it be third time lucky?

Will differences keep them apart?

Will separation drive them together?

He’s gone, she’s stayed

A cunning plan is needed

To reunite them once more

Joanne Kennedy  ©   February 2000