Before the Tide of Time Bears Me Away

I wish I had more money and more time
So I could give away a thousand books
And I wish I were funny in my rhyme
Each time to bring a thousand faces looks
Of delight to bring light into this gloom
Which hangs like stale smoke in a dark barroom

It would be so nice to brighten things up
To read my poems entertainingly
On the street corner and have a tin cup
So passersby could leave quarters for me
I find I cannot always be funny
Just as the sky is not always sunny

But I know I would if only I could
Prevented as I am as you can see
As black and white give way to shades of grey
For me as for you some bad and some good
Some laughter and some tears in my brief day
Before the tide of time bears me away

Still using such means as I have I strive
To make the most of my being alive
Life is good and I would be understood
As someone who tries to make it better
Embracing the spirit by the letter
Fighting the bad while embracing the good
Every day in shades of grey I would be
The best I can be one man being free

+Steven Curtis Lance



Copyright MMV

Great as always, Steven!

James

James! I am delighted to see you here again!

You were with us at the beginning; you and Chrissy are founding members of our forum, and I have missed you both very much. We have gone through some hard and strange times here, but I think we are in a good groove now; things are feeling harmonious hereabouts.

I love your poem, "Homeboy," James; I understand it deeply, as I live near you here, just down the freeway. A part of our lives expressed wisely and well, my friend.

Respect and solidarity, my friend and fellow poet! Come back soon and often; we need you and Chrissy here with us again.

Thanks and love,

+Stevie

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

Steven....

I am so glad to be back here.....where my heart and soul belong...amongst friends..teachers...and just good people!!!!!

We have, indeed, gone through many changes...and many hard times..but as the fighter we are...we have and will always come though them with our hearts and souls whole!

Chrissy and I are to be married soon!!!! And we will always remember the love and support we received here and still receive!!!!

Love and Friendship always

James

I just love this story of part of a lifeline. A readable poem, if you know what I mean, with one looking for the continuing story as well as the rhyme.

Rock on my dearest Pookie rock on! I love you now and always~Forever in our love!
I came to this place in a time in my life when I needed friendship and guidance and that was what I recevied among a wonderful group of people who were not judgemental of me! Acceptance was a struggle for me and finding it here meant so much to me We have all been through many changes but have found the strength to perserve! I am happy to say many of us are in better places or are finding peace! myself have finally found my way home! I am happy to be with my soulmate and I take comfort in our love and knowing that our hearts are one and we will never part again! True love is a battle and sometimes it hurts like hell but like hard times in life,through the hurt and tears we can find the corner of our heart that holds our happiness and smiles and find the pathway to rainbows and love is more beautiful than all the gold in the world! It is a dream I have never gave up on and I am so happy that I have people looking out for me! Thank you to Steve and each and all for the love and support I have received throughout the hard times I was facing! Thank you thank you my friends to you always!

Blessings be +,
Chrissy

Chrissy, I am so happy you have forgiven me my stupidities over the years and remembered the good times.

It's so good to see you back among us again, my dear friend; you were one of the founders of this place. Remember how you told 'em off at VoicesNet and came to my defense, coming here with me so long ago to build this place? And then, sadly, in a crazy dysfunctional relationship as I was and not seeing things clearly, I hurt you. It was like I was in some weird cult, and my priorities were all wrong. Now I've got 'em straight: faithful friends, that's what matters. Friends like James and you.

Thank you for forgiving me and coming home.

Love,

+Stevie

We make mistakes as this is human nature but God beings people in our lives for a reason! Recently I lost my grandfather and though it has been a trying time his passing has helped me to remember what is important in love! We need to have patience and love for our friends even as they may hurt us. It is friendship and the love of those who care so deeply that gets us through times that may seem unbearable. My grandfather's passing has let compassion shine in my family that has not shined in years and for that gift I am enternally grateful! I will forever miss him but he is always with me in my heart! I am forever your friend dear Steven and I hope we can continue to build a friendship again and make it stronger! This is how it was meant to be!

Love and friendship,
Chrissy M. Pierce Guzman