Poem: Falling And Rising

I have done it againFailed at beingWho others need me to be.I do the best I canI’ve achieved so much moreThen ever before.Still I come up shortNot aware enough;Not strong enough;Not skilled enough;Not good enough.Not.Enough.I’m tiredOf letting people down;Of continually failing.The world is so dark right nowDays are shorterNights colder.My mind becomes cloudedBy grief andContinue reading “Poem: Falling And Rising”

Poem: Hope Rises

Our exile drags onOne step forwardTwo step back,Sometimes feels likeWe’ll never see the end.Disasters and troublesConstantly in the news.Fear and despairAnger and griefConstantly in the air.I am overwhelmed by it all!Constantly prayingFor relief from this ordeal;For healingOf the entire world.Yet of lateDespite all logicAll evidence of my sensesI feel a stirring in my soul.Hope risesForContinue reading “Poem: Hope Rises”

On The Stockdale Paradox

I have a confession to make: I am finding it hard to find balance in my life these days, especially when living with my parents and having so many different demands on my time pulling me in too many directions. This morning, the reality is sinking in that I’m heading back down to Guelph inContinue reading “On The Stockdale Paradox”

Poem: On COVID

A virus sweepsOver the globe.Around the worldWe huddle in our homes.Saving livesBy staying inside.Every time we venture outWe are filled with fear.The TV and the InternetFilled with speculationPaint a grim picture.Sorrow and despairRage and fearThese abound in excess.Ignorance and callousnessBringing death and strife.Yet we also hearTales of courageCompassionHopeFaithAnd love.I feel the lonelinessThe uncertainty eats atContinue reading “Poem: On COVID”

Keys To Resiliency: Hope, Joy, and The Next Right Step

I have a confession: the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic is really getting to me. The uncertainty of how long this will last, the disruption of normal routines, the lack of control over how this affects my life…all of these present unique and unprecedented challenges, at least to me. Yet what I do have extensiveContinue reading “Keys To Resiliency: Hope, Joy, and The Next Right Step”

Poem: Confronting Fear

FearIs an old companion.When I was youngIt ruled meIn ways obviousAnd hidden.I confronted itAnd I grew.Overcame many of my fearsSwore never to concede again.Yet fear is trickySubtle and ever present.New fears arriveOld fears return.The testIs to not give upHold onto hopeResist the slideInto anger and hate and despair.My destinyThe destiny of all who serve theContinue reading “Poem: Confronting Fear”

Poem: Grow Your Beard

When I was youngI wanted a beard.Thought it looked coolNothing more.When I was a young manHair started sproutingThe time to shave had come.My body betrayed meMy hand too weakMy coordination too poorMy hair growth too fast.Always spots I would missHated how I lookedHated that my failureWas all too obviousLiterally showing on my face.Many a-timeI toldContinue reading “Poem: Grow Your Beard”

Comfortable In The Nude: A Case Study of Body Confidence, Star Wars, and The Dragonriders of Pern

When I was around the age of 10, I started to become increasingly frustrated with my body. It did not perform as well as I would have liked, it was not developing the way I would have liked, and it was becoming more and more a source of ostracization and shame from my peers. YetContinue reading “Comfortable In The Nude: A Case Study of Body Confidence, Star Wars, and The Dragonriders of Pern”

Poem: Time And Place

I have been waitingOh so longFor a time to loveA time for peaceA time to embrace.FinallyIt seems to othersThat my star is risingThat darkness is clearingLight shining through.Yet I have fearedI have wrestledWith the weightOf their hopes and expectations.For while they cheer me nowWill they do soWhen I fall?Will they seeThe beauty in weaknessIn vulnerability?ForContinue reading “Poem: Time And Place”

Poem: Hold Onto Hope

BelovedYou look aroundAt the world.You see the conflictThe sufferingThe pain.You try to helpTo fight.It all seems so bigImmutableImpossible to change.You feel powerlessTo save the onesThat you love.The vulnerable.The oppressed.You ask yourselfHow do you winAgainst the powerful?The wealthy?The strong?BelovedDo not give into despair.The world turnsTimes change.A revolution is coming.Love always wins.God favours life.The Spirit empowersThe vulnerable.TheContinue reading “Poem: Hold Onto Hope”