No one  is more surprised than I am that I have started to write poetry. I'm sure I have never really liked it and yet...  I have found that it provides a way to express my feelings in a special way where each word holds so much meaning.  So here is a little bit of my poetry for your enjoyment.... or as it was for me in the past... for you to endure.       -- Jim
 

~

  "A voice within"

I ask myself what will I be
and fear what choices before me lay.
My heart is trapped and can't be free
what is this love God has for me?
I fear these walls in place must stay.

Alone inside I live this lie
pain  unseen  within me grows
the eyes won't tell for those that try
the two of me which one must die?
I fear the answer, I think I know.

You can not hear my voice within
like crashing waves upon a shore
ceaseless endless always more
By chance to glimpse the soul within
I pray some day I can begin

Like leaves set free by restless wind
my thoughts escape my soul within
each word confirms more pain I know.
An endless path I now begin
to take some risk and let you in.

~
 
 

"Light"

Inside each one there stirs a need
to touch a life and leave their mark
and pass along through love their being.
But some will plant a different seed
and through their light where once was dark
a greater love as God has given.
 

~
 

 "Awakened"

Awakened at last from its slumber inside
I find  I'm enjoying a curious ride.
This all is exciting and so new to me
I've found a new person that I want to be.

And what is this feeling that leaves me so warm?
A sense of contentment where once was a storm.
It burns in me ceaseless with exuberant glee
now finally the feeling inside me is free.

My nights are more sleepless with thoughts in my mind
because I've been touched by a spirit so kind.
And laughter so freely now something I know
and each passing moment this feeling does grow.

I think of the future oh what can it be?
I play out the choice now waiting for me.
My head tries to guide, but this I do know...
my heart now controls me and knows where to go

I cherish the sense of it's quickening pace
and can't hide the joy that now shines on my face.
I now know that love is the name of this ride
and thank God that finally I'm feeling alive.
 

~
 

"Accept me"

A sea of faces and many can't be.
How many are there accepting of me?
The burden I carry is known by none
Oh let there be someone... please just  that one
I look in their eyes and what will I see?
By chance is this one accepting of me?
Maybe there are other doing this too
How can I tell.. could this really be true?
Trapped inside here will I ever be free?
Oh please let me find that someone for me
 

~
 

"Soul Mate"

It holds so much mystery and power for me.
Invoking warm feelings and passion you see.

And yet, my words fail to convey what I feel.
It means finding tenderness, life's utter zeal
It means understanding and warm gentle touch
It means never guessing and caring so much
It means words aren't needed to share from your heart
and it means something special right from the start

What gives these words claim to what stirs deep in me?
They seems to express all in life I can be.
Deep love, and such happiness, merging of soul,
a restful fulfillment to a life long goal.

It means so much more than a partner or friend...
it's caring, it's loving, it's smiles without end.
It's faith without question, contentment so dear
it's trust and commitment and feeling so near
It's living eternal in Gods loving  peace
and it's sharing a special life giving feast.

I pray that my restless quest will soon end
and give my life over to one special friend
And I long for the time when I too can say...
I found my dear soulmate on this very day.

  ~
 

"Spirit"

Within each one there lies in wait
the Love and beauty God has placed.
And held so deep that some can't see
this Spirit yearns for us to free.

But when it stirs and starts to flow
with open heart and child like faith.
We give this Love, we let it go
and through it's giving feel it grow.

Within our hearts this Spirit dwells
we feel this Love that in us swells.
So blessed are those that let it out
and touch the lives of those about.
 

~
A favorite of mine by Robert Frost

"Two Roads"

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both.
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could,
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

And then the other, as just, as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

Both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day
But knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~

Here's one from Ken

 I love you ya know.
I love you with all my heart and mind.
I love you because you are so thoughtful and kind.
I love you with the deapth of my soul.
And in my life without you there would be a mighty hole.
So stay with me my love, and be at my side.
Because my dearest one we are not done with this curious ride.
 

~

Here's one from a friend, Ally

There’s a part of me, yearning to be free...
Living in fear that someone will find
this deep, dark secret that I hide
pain and frustration--a part of my being
surely there has to be more to living.
Why must I keep this hidden
this part of me that’s so forbidden
no one knowing what I’m all about
can’t I let this secret out?

There’s a part of me yearning to be free...
What is “normal” anyway
nothing except what others say
I’m so mad at society
why can’t I just be me?
I’m sick and tired of having to hide
and through it I have realized
to myself and my loved ones, I must be true
there is something that I must do.

I hope they accept, I hope they understand,
what matters is not WHAT, but WHO I am.
It’s time that I help others to see
God doesn’t make mistakes, and He made me.
There’s a part of me, yearning to be free.
~