Judge Me Not
Yes, please correct, but judge me not.
Withdrawal, holding back with tears.
More likely will I blameless stay.
Please kindly show me; do not goad.
How can a judged one recompense?
My sins it’s hard to rise above.
Lost in the desert,
Mouth parched and dry,
Wandering always,
Wondering why.
Shadows approaching;
Must keep at bay —
Walk toward the sunlight;
On the path stay.
Desperate searching,
Cold from the chill.
Is all this wandering
Really Your will?
Increase my faith,
My sins forgive.
Make my path straight,
So I can live.
[Written during the California drought of 2014 and during the Ferguson, Missouri, riots.]
I dreamed that it was raining
And streets were wet again.
The cars went by
And gave a sigh
As water splashed on them.
I dreamed that it was raining
And children laughed aloud.
With gleeful hoots
Their muddy boots
Through puddles gaily plowed.
I dreamed that it was raining
And clouds burst forth in flood.
Their waters calmed
The violence strong
And peace could now be found.
I dreamed that it was raining
And living water sped
From streamlets high
To rivers dry —
The thirsty land was fed.
I dreamed that it was raining
And black made friends with white.
The past was healed,
Their friendship sealed,
With harmony in sight.
I dreamed that it was raining
Upon the wasted land.
The thirsty earth
Could now give birth
To many seedlings grand.
I dreamed that it was raining
And cleansing tears were shed
O’er mem’ries deep,
I now could sleep,
Could rest upon my bed.
I dreamed that it was raining
And God forgave my sins.
He calmed my fears
And dried my tears,
And I could live again.