Liberty Tolling

Let freedom ring across our land,
From sea to shining sea-
Liberty’s tolling, pure and strong,
Calling to you and me

O’er headstones of our heroes past
Unto new heroes of today.
Knelling, jingling- a patriots’ song
Whose music lights the way-

The pounding beat of combat boots,
Crossing lands unknown.
The brazen ring of sergeants’ shouts,
The flapping of flags flown.

The frightened prayers of enlisted men,
Whose fears must always hide.
The song of families, waiting home,
Forever filled with pride.

The mournful wail of trumpeters,
A silent, broken cry,
The voices of dear comrades,
Heartrending whispers of, “Goodbye.”

The bell of freedom forever rings,
Its defenders there to toll.
Its chiming disguised in many sounds,
Yet in each one, just as whole.

A bell preserved with honor,
Of those who serve its land-
Liberty’s musicians,
In America, most grand.

Seeking Neverland

Searching for the place I've loved
For longer than I've known-
A place of childhood loveliness,
The place that I call home.

A land where friendship never dies,
And hatred's left behind.
A sanctuary I once did leave,
But once again will find.

Though "grown up" in some ways, I be,
A part of me remains.
The child I have always been.
And the child I will stay.

My family ties do hold me here,
And secure for me a place.
For I am where my family is.
Our hearts- they interlace.

In this I'll forever find
Their home to be mine own.
For though time and space may part us,
Kinship has only grown.

An outcry or a heartfelt crow,
With an answer followed near;
A friendship that can keep us safe
In all trials, pain, and fear.

A bond of trust and love exists,
Between the Lost ones and their Pan;
It all is found within this place:
Our home, our Neverland.

As the Phoenix

Amazing grace,
How sweet this sound,
That lifts my soul
Up off the ground.

Though bleeding and battered,
Tattered and worn,
From these scattered ashes,
A new hope is born.

As the phoenix doth burn
And erupt in the flames,
It arose a new creature
With its own life and name.

Just as through death,
A new creature came forth,
Christ brings a new person,
And He gives them new worth.

Jesus gives hope,
Great peace and true love,
Which rains down upon us,
From Heaven above.

The Game of Life

People play the game of life.
They do what they can to get ahead.
They knock off other people to raise their own chances.
They compete and push things as far as possible.
They take stupid chances because they want to succeed.
They treat friends and enemies as if they are pawns for their use.
They undo their move whenever it suits them.
The only object is to win.

There is a problem with this.
Life is not a game.
The people are real.
They have feelings and wishes,
And if you push them too hard, they break.
If you hurt them, it doesn’t go away when you’re tired of playing.
If you make a stupid choice, you have to live with its consequences.
There are no undoes.
The object is to love.