The will to live

The Will to Live

Silently someone just learned to forgive,

While a man with a voice screamed "Die!"

My heart cries loudly "live, live, live!"

And my head turns away from the lie.

We're not all destined for fame abroad,

With stars in our hopeful eyes

But some will find their sweet reward

As the fire of this life dies.

Frustration turns its restless blade

With all its vain intent,

While in my breast the knowledge lays

Of what the master meant.

Charisma fueled by selfish pride

Is like its cousin fame

And only fools who trust in lies

Will fan the rampant flame.

But secret flows the whispering brook

Determined, to the sea.

And when my dreams like clouds have fled

My will returns to thee.

Joe Morriss

 22nd September 2014

Skin to Skin

"Skin to Skin"
Bonded from the beginning
Your first cry
Your mothers tears dried
My Son

Blood red
Angry Clashes
Angst and anguish
The door slams
You leave
We grieve

Yea tho I walk through the valley of shadow,
How I wish I had spared the rod
Your road is long and winding
My eyes are wet with crying

Skin to Skin
To hold you close again
Beyond the rugged cross
All will be alright

Joyful reunion
An open door
Ring and Robe
Firstborn of many brothers.

Come home tonight.

Joe Morriss

9th September 2014

Milestones

Everybody has to start somewhere
At birth
The beginning of everything
Thrust out of the nest
Into this world's mess
Left helpless and begging.

Then comes the growing
Perpetual state of watching and learning
Each new skill and quest
Enjoyed and put to the test
But still a sense of longing and yearning

Long days spent simply living
Age brings change and with it decaying
Nothing new now but labour and task
Every day the same as the last
has anyone been listening to what you've been saying?

But what of the other journey?
The one that starts in crisis
The unfamiliar turning
No longer at the mercy of our own devices.

The young man following his dream
Is as wise as the oldest sage
In that moment of stepping out
A shining star at the dawn of his age

The eyes of the heart are opened
The way ahead is clear
He travels surefooted and unhindered
And free from all that clinging fear

What is a moment of selfless giving
If not the real beginning?
The kindled spark of inspiration
Like a leap of joy at the sound of singing

All that remains is to stay the course
Each step marked by a firm decision
A sacrifice of what could have been yours
Moves you onward toward the vision

And so like milestones along the way
Marking the way to the journey's goal
A choice is made day after day
To follow the new and forget the old.

Joe Morriss

31st July 2010