Heroin

You are like heroin

Strongly addictive

But harmful too

Intoxicating my soul

When I am with you

I am on a high

But when we are apart

My body aches for you

However when you went away

I went cold turkey

A good thing for me,

As I became free

Because when you are gone

The chains binding us break

I feel able to breathe

And the air is clean

But you always come back

And try to get under my skin

Like an unwelcome itch

Which will not go away

When you are not around

I feel so free

And able to be me

Without needing a fix

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

The Fortress

I stand upon you

You stand around me

Giving me strength

And a place of refuge

You saved me from myself

You saved me from my enemies

You protect my soul

And shield my pain

You deserve all praise

Because you rescued me

Saved me from death

And eternal destruction

When I called out

You answered me

And put into action

Your plan to save me

You made the earth tremble

And the skies open

Covering us in darkness

And showering us with rain

The heavens roared

And lightning struck

Sending people running

Looking for shelter

But not I, I was safe

You rose me up

From the murky waters

And set my feet firmly on the ground

You took on my fight

And confronted my enemies

Removing me from harm

So I could live free

I am eternally grateful

For the light, you shine

The protection you offer

And the strength you give me

I feel that I am equipped

To face every day

As I living in knowledge

That you are on my side

Based on Psalm 18

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Am I Welcome?

You know your club?

Can anyone join it?

Is it a secret society?

Or are all welcome?

Who do you allow?

To be by your side?

What are the conditions?

Of you loving me?

Are there any rules?

If so what are they?

There are no rules you say

But there is a BUT

You say we need to live well

To be truthful and not lie

To act right and just

And to be kind to all

To be loving and not hurtful

To love out neighbours

To open our eyes to the world

And see what needs to be done

We should be open to changes

And to live an honest life

With no stealing or bribery

But live with a loving heart

We need to treat everyone equally

No matter who we are

Or where we are from

We are all of the same ilk

We should all be welcoming

To stand up for what’s true

To live with a reverend fear

And knowledge of who we are

Based on Psalm 15

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Find the Key

Don’t condemn yourself

Just take a step back

And look at everything

Clear and objectively

Separate yourself

From the attitude you hold

And look for the key

To unlock the positives

You just need to think

Logically and truthfully

To see how best

To approach the situation

Don’t run full tilt

Or go in feet first

Instead, use your head

And the fog will lift

You will begin to see clearly

What is holding you back?

And keeping you standing still

Instead of moving forwards

Remove the negativity

Just trust in yourself

And ignore people’s talk

Because you know what is true

Don’t let your mind control you

Just become more aware

Of who you are

And who you want to be

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

The Wild Ride

Sometimes I cry

I shout and I scream

I tell you No

Please let me off this ride

But you also tell me no

In a gentle voice

Because you actually know

What is best for me?

When I am weak

And I want out

You hold me up

And tell me it’s ok

I know it is true

Because the truth is

You would never put me,

In a harmful place

When I am lost

And feel scared

You comfort me

And give me strength

You always know

Exactly what I need

And when I need it

Even when I cannot see it

You are an encourager

You help me more forward

In times of toughness

You make my feet move

I thank you for this

For being so sure of me

For taking the time

To make and mold me

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

How Long

How long do I wait?

Will you forget me always?

Will you hide your face?

And leave me alone?

How long do I wait?

Shall I be sorrowful long?

And have a pain in my heart

As my enemies win

Will you answer me?

Or just ignore my calls

Shall I fall asleep?

And let my foes rejoice

All I have done is trust in you

And rejoice in my heart

That you were my friend

Was that not real?

But let’s forget it

As I am not alone

I will continue to sing

Of my love for you

Because I know in my heart

I know the truth

That despite how I now feel

You have always been faithful

Based on Psalm 13

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Majestic

Your name is nectar

On many a person’s lips

You are their strength

And help them defeat their foes

Others are in fear of you

And spread their lives

Running away from the truth

That would set me free

All we need to do,

Is to stand in amazement

At the work of your hands

To see how majestic you are

You have set everything in place

From the moon and the stars

To the fish swimming in the sea

You thought of it all

You even though of us

And made us for a purpose

For looking after your creation

And helping it survive

But there was a greater purpose

One of eternity

Where you show us

The way we need to go

Based on Psalm 8

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Answer Me When I Call

When I call you,

Please answer me

As I need your help

To calm me when distressed

Please be nice to me

Show me mercy and grace

When others destroy my honour

And spread various lives

Answer me when I call

And help ease my pain

Remind me I am yours

And for you, I am set apart

Let me control my anger

To take the time to think

And not lose control

But be still and silent

We need more goodness

More joy in our hearts

Please show us the light

And watch over us in peace

Based on Psalm 4

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Power of Nations

Nations against Nations

People plotting to kill

While rulers turn their back

And join in the fight

Willing to lose control

In order to be king

Ignoring all counsel

And thinking as one

People despair

Wondering what will be next

Pleading to someone

To reach out and help

It is a nightmare

The world is a mess

But we need to have hope

And believe good will come

All nations must stop

They must take heed

And begin to work together

To save the world

All the presidents and rulers

Need to come together

They need to get on their knees

And beg for mercy

They need to reach out

To their countries people

And ask for forgiveness

Or wrath will overcome them

Based on Psalm 2

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

Two Ways

The wicked are those

Who sit and scoff

And make a mockery

Of those who strive to be good

It is hard not to stray

Onto the path of evil

But it is better to live

A life with blessing

Be like a tree

And stand tall and strong

Feeding on the water

That life freely gives

Don’t let the leaves wither

Or the fruit go bad

Instead be strong

And live a life to prosper

Be wary of those who lie

They are weak and small

And with one big push

They would fall down low

So don’t stand in judgment

It is not your place

But be assertive and true

For that, you will be rewarded

                                                                                                                                                      

Based on Psalm 1

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017