Stand Firm Oh Child Stand Firm

The enemy spews hatred;
a dark ebony pitch
hurled in an effort to deter,
desiring a rift to form.

Armour and shield weigh heavy,
enveloped in black tar;
hurled time and again
by one seeking to destroy.

Eyes raised heavenward,
allowing loves light in;
renewing, restrengthening, replenishing,
standing straight once more.

Tar cracks, shattering,
falling to the ground;
dissipating in the light
until it is no more.

Heavy not is the shield
nor the armour donned;
weightless it hangs,
fashioned from light and love.

Pitch, lit and thrown,
an effort to harm anew;
a continuous barrage
hurled time and again.

Invisible the barrier
that fends off darkness
casting only light outward;
reinforced by faith’s grace.

A look, knowingly glances outward;
the enemy shrieks
as words of love fly free,
and forgiveness fills the air.

Forsake and follow me,
comes the psychotic cry
of the one living on the darkness;
Abandon all, and hope no more.

Tears fall, in silent sorrow
for the one lost;
blinded in the darkness,
he reaches unknowingly to the light.

No giggles of glee,
no words of love heard;
isolation, an empty hollowness
rides the currents in dark streams.

No, come follow me;
He echoes, in a soothing whisper
of grace that dances on sunbeams;
love’s light tendrils ever reaching.

Never too late to turn,
to run and dance with joy;
forgiveness, but a tender kiss,
on repentant lips.

Armour and shield glean,
as loving light surrounds;
for grace is given where faith resides,
and light lives on in endless tides.

The enemy skulks into the night,
regrouping for another day;
shrivelling within darkness
escaping the growing light.

Words of love freely float
through eternal ties that bind;
a spark landing in darkness,
waiting for light to claim the flame.

How sweet the surrender,
when selfless will steps aside,
allowing loves light to ignite;
oh, sweet, sweet surrender.

Heavy chains no longer bind,
broken by loves golden beam;
captive no more by wickedness and lies,
stands a soul cleansed anew once more.

Jubilus songs ring out,
engulfing the prodigals and the found;
giving strength to all warriors,
who take up the watch.

For some the battle is long,
but they rise each day with knowing;
darkness can never reign eternal,
for light’s promise has been given.

Stand firm, oh child, stand firm
for loves light is thy shield and armour;
thou cannot fail against thine enemy
for I Am, and mine stand alongside.

 © Leslie C Dobson

If you liked this poem, you can find additional ones on the poetry page of Leslie’s website.