The Battle with Rays of Hope

A love struck boy went up in an attic
To snoop around in his grandfathers absence
Inside the attic he found a metal trunk
With locks still closed.
So intent on opening and finding what was inside
That he had not noticed his grandfather enter the room
The old man smiled, and the wrinkles on his face were more apparent than most people his age.
Without saying a word he took his keys out and unlocked the trunk
Wild eyed the boy looked in awe as the old man showed him swords.
Swords that were longer than he was, and a Bible older than him.
His lips opened and he started to tell a story as the boy looked up

The smell of defeat was in the air
Its stench heavier than the smell of rain
The Gods - far above - weeping over my life.

I was standing by a rock with my sword drawn, standing alone in the rain.
I cried, I wept - to the Lord
"I push and yearn to not lose a day
To not live a day in vain
And to not waste my precious gift of life that you have given me
I feel that if I win anything from this lifetime -
It will only be my ticket to come join you God
But this is no excuse because I still seem to waste time.
And it is the heaviest of crimes my soul can carry
I fear I have failed you."

The boy grew tense listening intently on the words spoken

He spoke to me
In the minutes after - I prayed on my life
He told me that he sent me an Angel years ago,
He told me that not all breaks are forever - and feelings age lifetimes less than us.
So if I love her
I should run to her and extend my arms
Tell her how much I want her, and how much I love her.
And if she turns away from me in question
I should not shy away
For her tears of question, may break my heart
But it is her tears of joy that will mend my broken heart back together.

Looking up to the sky I felt revitalized.
For the sun burst through the clouds and shone on my face
Drying up my fear of failure, and showing me new rays of life.
Giving me - rays of hope.

Turning to the grandson he told him
"Remember those rays can shine on you anywhere,
Remember hope is around the corner - you just have to find it."
The boy looked deep into his grandpas eyes, and smiled.

Poem by J.A.D. © 2003