Sarcasm: The Voice of the Injured Coward

Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.


Visible
cowardice in thick yellow skin
pinhole craters filled with zest
until lost;
sunken into the white pithe of bitterness
as sour words flood your mouth
like liquid metal
at first intriguing
as if to awaken
instead bitterness resonates
like a mouth full of pennies
the after taste of blood
sits on your forked-tongue
cutting deep like a sword
leaving the heart to bleed
without even a slice
the scars form
raised flesh
invisible

© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

Some Assembly Required

I'm not a puzzle you can solve
or a problem you can resolve
just because I come in pieces doesn't mean I'm broken
each piece of me is still a whole
I'm just me and there is some assembly required


Dedicated to all my peeps that fall within the spectrum . . . you know who you are ; )

© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

A Seasoned Word

Let your speech be always with grace , seasoned with salt , that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man .
- - Colossians 4 : 6


sprinkled salt
enhances flavor
dissipating quick
but does its job
to leave behind a plate to savor and lick

unearths the subtle
tempers the bitter
challenges the bold,
balances out the sweetness
marries flavors to behold

and so our words
we hope to be
truth so sprinkled with salt
unifying . . . spreading peace
but surely not to a fault

all in moderation
for too much salt
can spoil
repulsive to the pallet
burning like a coil


© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

School Yard Rules

Ignore the bully and it will go away
snow-topped steps unmarred by children
in protest of winter's stay

no snowmen standing proud and tall
no boots all clumped with snow
no angels painted on the lawn
from tiny bodies on the go

inside; blanket forts
beyond painted brick and lumber,
children settle down
to take their noon-time slumber

tomato soup and warm grilled cheese
story time and books
laughter over silly jokes
give heed to warning looks

coloring and playing checkers
outside; cold's redundant treasure
no attention is paid to that,
which once held so much pleasure

yet still a hopeful bird
calls for spring's release
and across the river
the church bells echo
as if timing winter's fleece

upon it's 1st arrival
we beg winter for it's best
but then in dreary slumber
it stretches past welcomed guest

taking over all our lives
it becomes rude and overbearing
we beg for it to leave
yet it just doesn't seem to be hearing

so we do what we've been taught
ignore the bully and it will go
but what's that outside I see?
MORE freshly fallen snow?!

© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

BRICK by BRICK

Sshh...listen freedom's calling
Give way to grace
bricks are falling
my walls are coming down

the corners break, the mortar crumbles
laws writ in stone
the heavens rumble
once stone cold, now beating flesh
grace carves my heart
blood pours out fresh
my walls are coming down

brick by brick I built my wall
he chiseled through
my name, His call
once captive behind my sin and fears
He shook the earth
He wiped my tears
my walls are coming down

A prisoner; I step beyond the walls
my chains are loosed
my Savior calls
I reach for Him, hungry, thirsty and tired
He lifts me up
out of rubble and fire
my walls are coming down

He carries me; I'm heaven bound
once trapped and lost
now forever found
my walls they all came down

© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

The Godhead

One God distinctly three
the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
the blessed Trinity

Triune God a puzzle to our mind
our Creator, Savior, and Indweller
in whose strength I find


© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell

Empty Vessels

In deflated applause they sit there
one atop the other, in stillness and askew

for without their Master within them
they are nothing more than empty vessels of hollowed cold

© Copyright 2010 Christine Maxwell

Rise Up!

Silver and gold have I none
but what I have I give unto thee
in the name of Jesus Christ; rise up
rise up and walk with me

come celebrate The Heavenly Prince; come to save a hurting world
while in a manger lay; HIS redemptive grace unfurled
born to give HIS life for ours; He came to heal the broken
salvation ~the priceless gift~ true love through thus is spoken

so rise up broken-hearted mother
and stressed-out, wayward father
rise up lost and angry son
and hurting, lonely daughter; rise up
rise up and walk with me

for silver and gold have I none
but what I have I give to thee
in the name of Jesus Christ; rise up
rise up and walk with me

have you heard the good news?
the Prince of peace and King of kings
has come to save us all
to heal the sick and bind up wounds
won't you answer to HIS call?

so rise up broken-hearted mother
and stressed-out, wayward father
rise up lost and angry son
and hurting, lonely daughter; rise up
rise up and walk with me

for silver and gold have I none
but what I have I give to thee
in the name of Jesus Christ; rise up
rise up and walk with me

so neatly fold and tuck away, your lengthy to-do Christmas list
His love remains forever, while things of this world pass swift
what HE gave can't be bought, it is a priceless gift

so dry your tears broken-hearted mother
put away the credit cards stressed-out father
rise up lost and angry son
and hurting, lonely daughter; rise up
rise up and walk with me

Come celebrate and remember, our dear Savior's birth
rejoice with love and His praises sing, all heaven and all earth!
for these too shall pass away, rise up, rise up and walk with me
haven't you heard? Jesus has come to set all captives free!

© Copyright 2010 Christine Maxwell All rights reserved