Redemption

Redemption

By Melissa Marshall

Charlottesville, VA, USA

I brim with words both beautiful and sweet.

They stain my mind as the dust from far away

Lands and sand have worn my weary feet.

I have fought them.

I have cringed and cried.

I have said, “No. I will not have you here.”

Through their knowledge I have felt both dead and vibrant—

Thy words have made me alive.

But for what, I ask.

(Is that a question I’m allowed?)

Why have you made me thus?

Poor and proud.

For faith, I was given a lash.

For my innocence, I was given a rule.

I have bowed to Thee.

Worshipped only Thee!

I will carry this load, but no further I go.

No longer the fool, nor the mule in my wo.

I walk with these words that barrel through my mind

Once set on Thee as my only home.

In my heart I have wandered.

Oh, forgive the wanderer!

No other than Thee know the lengths I have roamed.

Back to Thy words, both beautiful and sweet

From the far, far paths of my digressive feet.

Though I have blamed Thee my stain

Bemoaned this my pain—

This hurt that so wildly has torn at my breast,

You have born too.

How could I forget?