Yo.

Today I opened my eyes

on that string I often find myself on

and I began my day on the up

I almost got stuck on the up

like when you get that gnarly tangle

the one where you have to ask your brother to get out for you

and then he breaks your string

I almost asked to get untangled

I was ready for the breaking

but then we went for a swim

in water that was so fluid you couldn't help but loosen up

I did the dance, the one that untangled me

and let go a little more

and throughout the day

I continued to let go

until night fell

and I touched the ground

when I did

I liked what I felt

on this ground is trust

solid faithful trust

I have landed

and I'm not going back up that string

not because I'm afraid to get tangled

but because you don't have me on a yo-yo

Boiling Point

Extinguished

and even as I write that I know it's not true

because I felt it burning earlier today

That little flame, tiny heat source that indicates life

But now it's dull

almost a faint memory

How quickly it blows out

As I melt here under the hot sun

I know I'm the only one that longs to be lit on fire

I am hungry for the burn

not just the burn on my skin, but in my soul too

Because no one here is asking for more heat

no one is asking for more sun

In fact, they wouldn't mind if it cooled down a little

But I am sitting here watching the sun set

and I am begging for it to stay up

I am begging to be closer

begging to be ignited

I am begging for more SON.

dial it down

How good it must feel

to see all your dreams come true

to put them into reality

He saw that there was darkness

So He said, 'let there be light'

Let there be ocean and sky too

and it was good

it was GOOD

When will be learn

to believe like that?

to have Power like that?

as I sit here, writing on my clean journal

crisp white pages

sand gets in the creases

I look up and say

Let there be justice

Let there be mercy

Let there be grace

Let there be a place for us

and I look down

and He says

'Lyd, let there be sand too.'

court jester

you trickster you!

telling me one place
meaning another
giving me a taste
then taking it away

maybe you aren't a trickster
but you sure are a tease
telling me to go in faith
to leave everything I need

well here I am
flirting with a place
from two islands away
I fell for it like a sucker.

You had my attention
you gave your commandment
I came and as soon as I got a taste
you changed my palette

silly me
for thinking I had any idea what you meant
now my imagination is flowing
possibility surrounds me
potential is looming

maybe this is just another stand up routine
maybe I'm just a punchline
or maybe you aren't joking.

fences

I have bruises and scratches all over my legs

my legs that can't possibly walk, swim, bike, hike, or run any farther

but I know that when my head leaves the pillow

I'll be doing it all over again

because I'm finally here

I am home

on this island with no hope of return

to that life I was leading before

that life I was 'living'

living is what i do now

you want to know what death feels like?

ask me.

Beggar Man

What would they do if you walked into church?

Would they recognize you from the highway?

Would they remember what your sign says?

Would they mutter “honey don’t stare!”

Would they scoot away if you sat in their row?

Would they hold your hand during prayer?

Blind Man

What would they do if you walked into church?

Would they quickly look away?

Would they hug you during greeting time?

Would they offer to help you find a seat?

Would they count their ‘blessings’?

Adulterous Woman

What would they do if you walked into church?

Would they turn their noses up?

Would they scoff as they watch you pray?

Would they cover the eyes of their children?

Would they hold on tighter to their husbands?

Son of Man

What would they do if you walked into church?

Would they forget their status?

Would they act like children and stare?

Would they run up to you for prayer?

Would they beg for healing?

Would they remember their sins?

Would they leave their row to sit in yours?