Wanted

who is it?
who is it that I want
to be with?

not him–who
witty though he be
does not even like me

not her–whose
beauty masks an
inward spite
whose popularity promises pleasure
to those who accompany her,
but such outward treasure
is betrayed by her eerie lack
of heart

not him–who
claims he wants to,
yet isn’t there.
he isn’t there
he doesn’t care
while reassuring words
accompany you,
deep down you know
that he doesn’t want to
he doesn’t want
to be there with you

not her–whose money,
well, let money give its
own account
we all know it’s worth
but what is it worth
to me?
for whether I own it or not,
is not true worth
defined by want?
and if those wanting me
want me not
whilst I am
wanting of it,
they do not want me
they want it.

who is it?
who is it that I want
to be with?

them–who
at any time, in any way
want me.

Death Doth Kill

This poem was written in loving memory of four friends. The first letter of each line is an acronym spelling out their names: Stephen (roommate), bud (grandpa), Larry, and Jack. I am fortunate to have known each of these wonderful men.

Since love is that which fills
The heart,
Every heart doth
Pry apart while
Holding on to
Every life, every life that dies.
Never, then, does life die alone.
But drags a piece of all behind
Under the sea. And in this way
Death doth kill.
Lonely lives,
Angry souls,
Rest as rare as
Rubies.
Yet there is love, there is hope.
Just as sure
As they are gone,
Comfort from our
King will come.

Mother and Child

Hidden. hidden

From her eyes

A little baby boy now lies

Unseen.

Inside. inside

Her loving womb

Not a tomb

Is life.

Her. her

Smile lingers

A boy with God’s own fingers

Made.

Heart. heart

Can stream with fickle tide

But not toward him inside

Of her.

Real Men Shed Tears

Often times men have a strong aversion to crying in front of other people. This emotional response is often perceived as unmanly, weak, helpless and quite frankly–pathetic. It's not that men are afraid of expressing emotions altogether. For example, a man rarely avoids expressing anger or frustration. This is because it doesn't make him look weak or insecure in the same way as crying does. On the contrary, anger gives off the impression of strength, will-power, and self-determination.

But weeping is not necessarily a sign of weakness or insecurity. In fact, one of the powerful things about crying is the strong character traits that it demonstrates. Passion. Love. Allegiance. Fervency. Devotion. Drive. Commitment. Investment. These are all manly characteristics which inevitably lead to weeping and sadness whenever the things that we care about are stripped away from us. For what demonstrates more strength? To care about all the things in your life–God, family, church, friends? Or to seek to remain emotionally detached for fear of being hurt, or for fear that someone will see that you are invested in–even dependent on–other people? A real man is one who is invested in the people around him and is willing to experience and express hurt when they are taken away.

So it is manly to be invested in the people around you, and crying because of their death testifies to the fact that you chose to love, to honor and to care for them. But what should that sorrow look like? Shouldn't a man be strong for his family in a time of crisis? Of course he should. But rather than trying to hide the effect that a loss is having on you, you should feel freedom to express your sorrow. You should point your family to your true foundation–the gospel of Jesus Christ. The fact that you are reconciled to God and there is nothing that can change that grounds you. Being strong for your family means showing them that it's a good thing to weep because it demonstrates love. It means leading your family to Christ for stability, asking the church for help, and praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance and peace. All this flows from the fact that the core of manliness is not independence, but dependence. We are strongest when we receive our strength from God rather than trusting in ourselves.

As humans we are designed to depend, and that is when we are free to truly live and lead as men.