Here Among the Hypnotized

Trees Walking -- Trees bear fruit but also scars That shape the way they grow. Men and trees are thus alike Though it may not outward show. I see men as trees walking Among the summer grass When they see themselves alive and green Though the green will shortly last. I see men as trees walking In the autumn of the year When their once-green leaves are falling down And the winter wind is near. I see men as trees walking In the winter when it’s cold As they look around in frozen panic When they see they’re bare and old. I see men as trees walking In the spring when all is new As they come to know the gift of life And what they were born to do. I see the changes seasons bring As they circle back around. I feel a sadness for what is lost But greater joy for what is found. * * * * Cannot I -- Cannot I But glimpse the joy That flutters like a taste Like a faint flavor In the wind That passes by ? Mocking me With time to waste Elusive It leaves me there Standing waiting Mouth open Until my tongue goes dry. Cannot I Not daring wish to see the sun Still but see Some brightness there ? A piece of sky So know I might Above the clouds is only light. Do I wish too high ? Cannot I Walk my walk From place to place Without the rain Upon my face ? Intently searching Ground and sky For the shrinking space Where once found I Joy and laughter Without care Remembering there I sigh Cannot I ? Only on the wings of another Might I ever fly Away from all these Pointless wonderings That bring me to My inglorious blunderings. As I recount my self-defeat I seem to endlessly repeat This sad and circling Knowing why More answer than question Cannot I. * * * * Why Are We Here -- I think we’re here to learn despair To see how darkness steals But we’re also here to notice hints Of glory light reveals. I think we’re here to suffer ills To shortly live in sadness So we might later look back to see And more appreciate our gladness. I think we’re here to make a choice To run and hide or to seek the way I think we’re here to hear a voice That calls to night from day. I think we’re here to use our minds To discern how far the fall So we look to God, cry out for help And know He hears our call. I think we’re here to glimpse the joy That is waiting up above To grasp the hand the Lord extends In mercy, grace, and love. * * * *