Poetry in the Night

I penned this short free-verse early this last January, barely giving it any form. It was merely a short "poetry in the night,/poetry in the candlelight..." and nothing more.  I left it untouched for many months until finally I picked it up again upon sight of an online poetry contest, so then I went back to my old ideas and revived the poem.  What truly inspired me to fix it was not the contest but the glorious feeling of every time I stay up writing at night with my candle forming a mask of heat on my face.  As I watch the fire burn wax as my writings burn silence, I feel sweet and calm inside just as the night is.  The lines "dark world blanket, nighttime space" has some significance to the whole point of writing this because it encompasses what I truly feel on every writing night.  Darkness becomes nothing more than a blanket that cuddles me safe and warm.  "Nighttime space" gives me the freedom and space to think freely and write freely without needing to care so much of worries of the day.  This poem is a white flag I wave to those who love the night like I do.  It is when creative juices flow outward, effortlessly, from the heart.

Poetry in the night,
Poetry in the candlelight,
Dark world blanket, nighttime space,
Glorious are candles
That warm at your face.
Wake up. Night is gleaming.

Poetry in the night,
Poetry in the candlelight,
Carve from reason, old or new,
Silence is wondrous
Where nighttime is due.
Stay up. Night is fleeting.

Chained for God

Heart battered by sin, soul chained to the fire,
I once dwelled in a cave fueled by evil desire.
With every misdeed, the chains at my feet
Tightened with sorrow, seared by execrable heat.

A flower that fades, a wave tossed away,
I stumbled and strove, heralding dismay.
Lost in the world, I deceived and lied,
And in my confusion, I cried out:

"Take my chains, Lord, crush them in Your hands.
Raise me from the darkness, light my way with Your commands.
Teach me how to love, Lord, open my eyes anew.
Fill my spirit with wisdom; let my life be chained for You."

The peace of Christ Jesus entered my heart,
With His warm protection, I embarked on a new start.
The chains of my past, those fragments of sin,
No longer bind me—I've found joy within.

The love of my Savior lifts me up high,
I'll live for the cross until the day I die.
The power of His presence gives me no fear
To share His Word and comfort every tear.

Sixteen Years, Trying to Get into the Swing of Things

When I was five, I pulled myself up on swing sets too high for me,
Coiled my fingers around the chains,
Paddled my feet wildly,
And felt the thrill in my chest.
I kicked hard enough to feel like I was flying.

When I was twelve, I stood on the seat,
Wound the chains tight,
Watched people pass by,
And pushed off recklessly.
I threw myself into the air,
Tore free from the chains,
Dismounted the swing,
And withstood the impact.

When I was thirteen, I was unstoppable,
Invincible, untouchable,
Even as I kissed the grass with torn knees,
I was an individual.
I covered my ears to the metal's screeching protest,
Subverted warnings of my fall,
And blocked out anyone who came to my rescue.

When I was sixteen, I fixed the old swing set,
Sat on the seat, weighed down by fallen hopes and broken dreams.
I held my fears close,
Eluding any fall.
Lest the swing be too fragile,
I lay on the grass and watched the unadorned stars.
The stars were distant,
But the grass was right there,
Messed up everywhere,
Just like me.

I Unfolded My Thousandth Paper Crane

I unfolded my thousandth paper crane
And swept a thousand sheets into the rain.
I relegated my days of tears and pain
And slept a night sans anguish and disdain.

I Found a Place

I found a place for you and I with three
Chambers in the dark for us to hide and
Join and write our stories in the glory
Of the night that it may never end.

Freshman Fantasía :))

I often wish that you would see
A hurtful heartbreak when I see
A hand you hold, a warm embrace,
A hand not mine, a girl not me.
That promenade a tragedy,
A hateful story to erase.

I often hope that someday I
Could have a day so tarried by
Moment to moment, heart to heart,
A day of pleasure, you and I,
A fateful fantasy I cry,
You and I and never apart.