Cannot Last

Ground down
Poured out
Fine powder
Blown about

Wilting flowers
Thistles bloom
Four horsemen
Tearing through

Stoney wall
Icy gale
Empty heart
Silent jail

Lamentation
Soul to bear
Mind unmended
Sleepless care

Flooding grief
Can it be
I am loved
You love me?

Please forgive me
Forget the past
This present me
Cannot last



Seven devils
Crouching low
Fires burning
Darkened stone

Vain to run
Hopeless fight
Tightening noose
Loss of sight

Slough of despond
Shelob’s Lair
Waiting death
Webs of despair

No escape
No relief
Lying serpent
Beguiles belief

Torn between
I have to choose
One step to fall
And all to lose

Please forgive me
Forget the past
This present me
Cannot last

Waking Phial
Piercing sword
I know that voice
Amid the horde

Gentle staff
Ray of song
Shepherd’s rod
To him belong

Rattling bones
Breath of air
Standing soldier
Shield to bear

Quaking heart
My flesh may fail
But him my cup
In this world pale

He found me out
He bought me dear
His treasure now
His kingship here

Please forgive me
Forget the past
This present me
Cannot last



Bearing grit
Hidden decay
Christ does sit
Enthroned today

And I am told
My ears to hear
That this world’s light
Does not compare

Though I see not
Beyond the veil
Where empty tomb
He does not lay

Through blurry eyes
I stagger now
I must believe
And wait the hour

When painless pearl
I hope to be
If I await
One day to see

Please forgive me
Forget the past
This present me
Cannot last