Changes

I was doing ok

Well in my opinion anyway

But it seems you disagreed

As you swept into changing me

Everything was okay

Well I suppose I was troubled

Struggling to cope

With third culture re-entry

I was on a bumpy path

Which became full of rocks

As things became worse

And my life turned upside down

I felt so alone

But realise now I wasn’t

As you were always with me

Standing by my side

My life as I know it was over

Things would never be the same again

Changes were happening

I had to learn to live a new

But it was all in your hands

You knew what you were doing

You helped me develop

Into the likeness of you

You helped me to grow

Into the fullness of my potential

Showing me new ways to live

That helped me to be free

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

I See You

Where are you?

I need you right now

To break my fall

And help me up

I am right here beside you

Maybe you can’t see me

But I am here

Just trust me

If you are with me

Why can’t I see you?

Why can’t I feel you?

Please don’t leave me alone

I am not going anywhere

I am hiding your heart

And joining you on the steps

As you sit and weep

Why does it hurt so much?

Why is the road so bumpy?

I can’t walk steadily

My feet always stumble

I see your pain

And will catch your tears

When you cry

And hold them close to me

Why do you care about me?

Why waste your time?

I am not worth it

I am just a lonely soul

To me you are everything

You are worth it

So just trust me

And draw close to me

I am not sure I can

I don’t feel strong anymore

Fear overcomes me

And my heart is heavy

You are more than able

Lean on me for strength

Do not be afraid

I have your heart in my hand

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

The Creator

The heavens sing

And the skies rejoice

Day brings light

While night gives us rest

There are no words

Which are greater

Than those which shot loud

To all the ends of the earth

Like a groom waiting

And an athlete training

The sun is shining

Giving heat to the world

Our souls are revived

The simple are wise

We need to rejoice

And enlighten our minds

We should not fear

As love endures forever

All is true and righteous

Even better than gold

We are not innocent

We all have faults

Which burden our hearts

And bring us down

Help me to grow

Make my heart our

And my words truthful

O rescue me from the dark

Based on Psalm 19

Jo Anne Kennedy

July 2017

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