Within These Walls

 

 

Behind every poem lies a story, a memory, a piece of one's life. For years, I allowed myself to hide in the shadows and observe those around me. I have been known as quiet and a girl of few words, but in reality, I have much to say. If you pay attention, you will find most of what I have to say within my writings. This particular poem is written from the view point of moving on from hurts and pain from the past. I had a great childhood, but I allowed those in my life to tell me how I should be and how my personality really was. It wasn't until these past few years, that I figured out who I really was without the words and pictures others had painted about me. I have learned much about myself, but the main thing is that I have a heart of mercy. Where others tore me down, I build those in my life up. Like the song, You Raise Me Up, I decided one day to truly invest in those around me and build them up in their daily lives.

 

 

Within these walls I hide behind what you have to say

Never standing forward, never speaking up

I allowed you to say what you had to say

And I rarely had any words with which to reply

For I kept them all buried deep inside

And never a word did I speak in your presence

All of the pain you have caused

All of the uproar within your domain

I stood back and allowed myself to be silent

I step forward now, not to yell or even cry

But to say that I forgive you.

I forgive you for all of your judgments

I forgive you for not understanding the way of life

To not know what I know today, to walk in total darkness

I forgive you for not understanding what it is to walk in love

To put others before your very self

I bow within the pain that you possess

That you don't know how to reach out your hand with mercy

To forgive as Christ forgave us

I bow in prayer that one day, you too will be set free...

Free from this burden that weighs your body down

That darkens the way of those who are lost

That you will see the light that He possesses

And you will feel His grace, far beyond comprehension.

I forgive you for you are standing in the dark

And you need someone to light your path.

I close my eyes in prayer for you

That you will understand no condemnation

And you will stand in freedom, in grace, in light, in peace.

I am not better than you by any means

For we all stand equal at the foot of the cross...

I reach out my hand and offer forgiveness, restoration, freedom.