Tag Archives: nathan marchand

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 23: “Another Psalm”

I wrote another psalm for NaPoWriMo, although I don’t think it’s as good as the first one I wrote. I’ll let you be the judge, readers.

Another Psalm

I wait for your help, O LORD,
Why do You withhold it?
You are far away when I need You.

What must I do to rouse You
To combat the slander of my enemy?
His words are a scorpion’s sting,
Poisoning all who hear them.

My heart is weary from waiting.
Tears have become the tonic
To sooth my soul’s affliction.

If burnt offerings you required,
I would bring them with gladness.
But sacrifices are not what You seek.
No, You desire a blameless and loyal heart.

You, LORD Almighty, are a Righteous Judge,
So defend my cause and punish my foe
For Your Name’s sake.

Save me, O LORD,
Before I sink into the grave,
Where I can sing your praises no longer.
O LORD, do not forget me!

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 22: “Warzone”

Not much to say about this one. It just came to me one day. However, any Transformers fans out there will know where I got the final line. (FYI: It was said by Dinobot on an episode of Beast Wars).

Warzone

I awake to Reveille
And the bullets pierce twilight’s veil.
The Enemy’s guns spray his lies,
Intent to take my head as his prize.
A few steps, and I come to a minefield,
But to the Enemy’s temptations my spirit won’t yield.
Around it I go.
It takes me into enemy territory, though.
But this is where my mission will be—
To fight until the prisoners are set free.
I will not watch their broken lives be purloined.
I am a warrior—let the battle be joined.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 21: “Run”

Today’s poem was loosely inspired by (no surprise) another song. This time it was “Run” by Kutless. (Yes, I know I have the same title, but I couldn’t think of anything better). Enjoy!

Run

Once, you embraced me.
Now, you flee from me.
Why do you run?
I am not your enemy.
Listen not to the Tyrant’s words.
He doesn’t know me
Or the joy I gave you.
His arms are a prison:
Safe but confining.
Why did you run?
In my arms you’d fly
To heights you never dreamed
And touch the sky.
If you’d only open your eyes,
You’d see he’s suffocating you
And run back to me.
Then together, we would run
Like the galloping stallion and his mare,
Boundless, unashamed, free.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 18: “Silence”

Here’s another poem. This came about from the time I’d spent early in the morning in a quiet house before anyone else wakes up.

Silence

The morning dawns, but the day isn’t new.
Curtains blockade the sunlight
As I lay in bed, lost and lonely,
Staring at the blank ceiling.
My wounds have become scars.
The fire in my heart is snuffed.
My world is gray.
Are You there—there in the silence?
I’ve cried out to You ‘til my throat’s raw.
Your silence terrifies me.
Speak comfort to me.
Renew my hope with Your voice
Before my bed becomes
My final resting place.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 17: “Slander”

This poem came to mind when I randomly thought of the “sword of Damocles” anecdote. I couldn’t get it out of my head even though I wanted to write a poem about something else. So, here it is.

(I’ve been keeping up with writing poems but not with posting them. Today’s poem should get written and posted tonight).

Slander

Your words hang over my head like a sword of Damocles.
Though false, I fear them—
Am I blind to their truth?
One bad move, and the sword will fall,
Piercing my heart, exposing it.
All will see and believe.
They will say, “This was just punishment,”
Never knowing that it was you, not me,
Who hung the weapon above me.
Even I will forget and agree,
And your lies become my identity.
But I will fear not your sword.
I know its tether, though thin, is strong,
For  it is Truth, and it is unbreakable.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 16: “When I’m With You”

Just another love poem today. I didn’t like it at first, but it’s grown on me.

When I’m With You

You, oh Beauty, inspire
With your word, your touch, your glance, your smile.
You draw out the man
I never knew I was.

When I’m with you…
I’m stronger.
I can carry your burdens
And pick you up when you fall.

When I’m with you…
I’m bolder.
I can slay the dragons
And chase your fears away.

When I’m with you…
I’m humbler.
Alone, I’m powerless to save you,
So I fall on my knees to find my Strength.

When I’m with you…
I’m who I was created to be—
Your hero,
A man after God’s own heart.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 15: “Waiting for Winter’s End”

This poem was loosely inspired by a line from the song “Waiting for the World to Fall” by Jars of Clay. For a while when I’d listen to it, I’d mishear the line, “I’m waiting for the world to fall,” as “I’m waiting for the world to thaw.” This made sense since was from an album of music inspired by The Chronciles of Narnia. Regardless, it was inaccurate, so I wrote this poem as a way of using that misheard line that resounded with me. Obviously, it’s not as good as the original song, but I do hope it’s a good read.

Waiting for Winter’s End

“It’s always winter, never Christmas,” a faun once said.
Long has been the winter of my discontent,
For the Son has not made it glorious summer.
My heart is an ice block,
Frozen, cold, numb.
It sleeps, the memories of warmth but a dream—
A dream of hope.
I’m waiting for my world to thaw,
When ice and snow melt into life-giving water
To rouse me from hibernation, to refresh my soul.
Winter is not forever, and though spring is slow,
The ice will melt with a touch of the Son’s rays.

Poetry

NaPoWriMo, Day 14: “Writer’s Block”

I have been keeping up with writing poems for NaPoWriMo–I just haven’t been posting them on time. Anyway, here’s another one. This one was inspired by my troubles with brainstorming ideas for poems (among other things). I’m not happy with it, though. It seems to meander and/or lack focus. Maybe I’m wrong. You decide, readers.

Writer’s Block

My Muse, my Muse, why have you forsaken me?
Penning a few lines is a chasing after the wind.
Inspiration is a prey I stalk with a club,
A club better used to break the dam
My mind built to halt the rapids
Of creativity, thoughts, emotions, insights
Refusing the river’s flow from mind to heart to hand to pen to paper.
Will they drink the water, my Muse?
Will it be refreshing or sour?
Is that why you elude me today?
Or are you in the torrent behind the dam,
Waiting for me to break through?