canticle 51

when you receive the latest
huff-and-puff from me,
be kind
and hit the delete button;

when i spend each moment
hanging out with the wrong crowd,
be patient
and send truth to be
my best friend;

when i wallow
in the muddy mess of me,
be gentle
as a washerwoman with
the unmentionables,
and let me dry in
peace's sweet breath;

when i hear the bell
on sin's seductive truck
coming down the street,
be quick
to turn up the boombox
playing the glad choruses
of your heart;

when you could
toss me out with
the rest of the junk,
be an old softie,
cradling me in your heart,
tenderly polishing me
with your scarred hands,
until i reflect
the hopeful gleam
in your eye.

(c) 2009 Thom M. Shuman

the enemy

traducer
seducer
accuser
persecutor:
all those people i can be
when i follow
the wrong profit;

rebuker
quibbler
nitpicker
hairsplitter:
of all the faults
i spot so easily
in those around me;

croaker
complainer
grumbler
mumbler:
every time my life doesn't go
exactly as i asked God
to create it;

bellyacher
whiner
murmurer
moaner:
when everyone acts
as if it isn't all about
me;

i've met the enemy
and he is behind me,
pushing me
further and further

from you.

(c) 2009 Thom M. Shuman