A Caged Heart

A caged heart is like a caged animal
Taken out of its natural environment
Unable to roam freely
Captured and held against its own will
Unpredictable under these circumstances
Insecurities are driven by its unfamiliarity
A mirror reflection of its self-pity
Constantly searching for an escape route
Being fed but emptiness occupies its essence
In the spotlight but not held in high regard
Occasionally spoke of but so often forgotten
Referred to as an attraction behind the gates
But reviewed as savage if it rejects its habitat

In God's Hands

Now you lay me down to sleep
I pray the lord my soul to keep
And in return grant serenity
To face Hell on earth and my enemies
And if I die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take
And in return grant the strength to endure
During trying times when I feel unsure
And if my pain should reach its peak
Grant a piece of mind if my blood should leak
Now I will close my eyes in prayer
And I shall believe with all my heart
And in return
Grant a light of salvation
When this tunnel called life turns dark
Amen....

© 2011 Shawn P. Lytle

A Twist Of Fate

Born kings and queens
but dying indigent
Once unified but
now unfounded
Creative minds
turning maladroit
Beautiful bodies
displaying price tags
Precocious youth
exhibiting archaic thoughts
Concerned parents
now indifferent onlookers
Lifetime achievers
turned short term opportunists

© 2011 Shawn P. Lytle

Dear God

Am I forsaken?

Persecuted for my darkness

A veil tone meant to protect me

A classic blend

of fortitude and obscurity

Am I burdened?

Misled by misguided thoughts

under the moon light

Pressured by “Get Rich” schemes

that test a hazy foresight

Am I built for this?

A possible victim of genocide

by those with similar racial features

Witnessing unanswered prayers as I observe

“The spirit of evil” devour God’s creatures

Am I capable of changing?

Anger has overwhelmed and permeated

my deepest emotion

Love don’t live here anymore

a hard life’s last second abortion

Am I my brother’s keeper?

Hugs still going out to strangers

Under no circumstances do I say friends

My embrace reveals their dry scales

Disregarding their abilities to pretend

Am I worthy of your forgiveness?

Worried and burdened by my past sins

A maze of bad intentions under severe distress

Weary and counting days I may not have left

Head bowed for prayer, as my thoughts seem to digress

Am I suppose to feel this way?

Happy, sad, joyous, and angry all at the same time

A mixed bag indeed but one of your many creations

A roller coaster lifestyle that extends from the climax to skid row

Translating scriptures that compete heavily with these worldly temptations

© 2011 Shawn P. Lytle