It's 2:18 am Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I heard gunshots at 1:35 am while sitting in our Harlem apartment. The two shots sounded like they came from Lenox Ave. just half a block away. And I just came from that street no more than 30 minutes ago on my way home from work.
Gunshots again
How I hate the sound
My stomach turns sour and I despise
Who rules these streets
These paved ways straight but not narrow
Anyone can trespass but who is welcome?
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Gunshots again
My mind balloons
Who was the aggressor, who was the victim
What was their crime, who was their judge
My mind is a tortured one
My heart is a weary aching
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Gunshots again
...12:52 am
Foul-mouthed commuter trashing the train
a filthy herald using-abusing one man's soul
My walk up Freedom Avenue, MLK way
smeared in hostile glances-prayers made haste
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Gunshots again
But first, home at 1:11
My burdens gave way to worship
What else could I do
Psalm 21, Peace, Rest, Abide...
then Hell breaks through
Blessed is he who comes...blessed is he who comes
Gunshots again
Silence follows
No sirens, no chase, just life meandering on as if...nothing
Where is my Hope? Where is His face?
Where is His Kingdom? Oh, Lord, please make haste!
Our Enemy roams through Harlem--bring him disgrace
And don't let us falter
Don't let us waste
Our hearts beat louder "Lord, come heal this place!"
Teach us to pray and abide like Fiery Renegades
Though our home is not here we stand and keep watch
And in the depths of our souls we cry out "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
1 comment:
Wow! Well said. Peace in the midst of Satan's attack. Mind on things above and a heart to redeem. Part of something much bigger than we really know. Real life.
Post a Comment