The Thunder Drowns

Sometimes I wish
I could drown
In the sea of forgetfulness
Swim in the ocean
Of simplicity
Do the backstroke
Over the depths

Yet I hold my breath
As they take me under
Their current is too strong
It’s my undertow
Can’t go against the flow
I row and row
Till I can row no more

Many times they appear still
But it’s the peace before the storm
I see the clouds rolling in
and the water stirring
I hear the thunder
Even before it comes
Drowning all other thoughts

Memories flood
and wash away
the good times
I’m thrown overboard
In the worst of storms
Gulping for air –
I’m drowning

I cry out
Where is my lifeboat?!
I take my last breath
As I’m going under
One last look at the sky
Accepting my fate – sinking…
Just then I see your face
Drowning out the thunder.

5-23-09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved

My Two Swords

My grandpa’s sword
Rests between my mattress
Ready to defend
if awakened from sleep
This sword defended our nation
Stood for liberty, justice and freedom
Protected the peace

I peacefully rest now
For this sword has won
That right
It’s struck the heart of evil
Pulling out the enemies’
Will to fight
Rest in peace tonight

Another Sword sits beside my bed
Countless
have poured their souls
They fought for peace
of another land
A land of peace they’ve told
Rest in Peace

John and Mary Williams 1839
Killed and their bodies eaten
William Tyndale 1536 burned at the stake
for translating the Sword into English.
Easter Sunday 1066 Alphage was
blundgeoned to death finished off
mercifully with an ax-blow to the head.
Paul the Apostle – beheaded.
Stephen – stoned
The Apostle James – beheaded
Peter – Crucified upside down
Matthew – Pinned to the ground and beheaded
Andrew - tied to an “X”- shaped cross to die a
slow and painful death.
Bartholomew – skin almost entirely removed
with whips, then crucified
Thomas – tortured, thrown into an oven and
stuck through with spears
Luke – hung from an olive tree
Simon – sawn in half
Polycarp – threatened by fire stated ”You threaten me
with a fire that burns an hour and is soon quenched, for
you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgement
and eternal punishment stored up for the ungodly. But
why do you delay? Do what you want.”
Thousands more martyred
for the Sword
that lays beside my bed.
Rest in peace.

Two swords
For two freedoms
I remember the thousands
who fought for this land
and the thousands who fought
for the land beyond.
As I rest today, I thank you
For your sacrifice.

5-23-09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved

So You Think You are Something

So you are musical
You can hold a key
Maybe you’re extremely smart
Maybe even artsy

Your thing might be
You are witty
Or perhaps
Unusually pretty

Strength might be
Your claim
Or intellect
Is like a game

You may have more
Power than most
Or have riches
To boast

Maybe it’s your
Popularity
Your unforgettable
Familiarity

Maybe you’re good at
What you do
And you think others
Don’t have a clue

But I have something
To say
For I saw something
Today

The most humble
Person was she
She bent down
On one knee

Held out her
Hand
To someone others
Couldn’t stand

She gave heed
To what seemed
Was worthless
As others deemed

But I tell you sir
She changed a life
She took out of his
Heart a knife

She gave straightness
To a bended back
She gave him
What he did lack

What person though famous
He may be
Could change a life
To now be made free?

Most all are out
For their own
Please them
They are on the throne

But give me this woman’s
Compassion
Not the world’s idea
Of fashion

For this is the power
That will
Change the world…
Love for the broken
Love for the faint
Love for the hopeless
Love without restraint

I tip my hat to you sister
For you have something
Most will never see
For they may never
Dare attempt
To bend the knee


4-25-09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved