Poems by Doug William Benson

I stand here staring
at the open lot of an acre full of guilt,
overwhelmed by the selfish weeds and brush,
and mounds of stubborn graveled rock
that have gradually overtaken my life,
and that need to be removed.
Now is the time and this is the place
to build the new me.

The excavating process will be painful;
Ripping out old brush and their habitual roots
tangled deep within the soil of my soul.
And what appears to be immovable boulders,
with their tops exposed like an iceberg,
showing their false facade of selfish pride
while hiding oh so much shame below;
They all have to go!
If I truly want this to be the place of my dreams,
then they absolutely must go!

I'll then be able to start anew
with solid footings and a foundation
that's built on morals and truth;
For, those two principles need to be
the unshakeable elements
upon which everything else is built.

As for the skeleton,
the framing of walls and corridors,
they will be made with only the best quality of materials;
That is individuals who raise me up,
Those who will stand by me,
providing me with essential support and protection.
Critics, superficial friends and those who are quick to flee
are like wood that's already infested with termites,
waiting to collapse and give way at any moment.
For this new house, I will choose to surround myself within the sturdy walls of
devotion, assurance and love.

Next, the inner workings;
The plumbing,
The gas,
The power,
They will course through this new structure with a newfound spirit of self-discipline.
That deep and internal quality alone
will be responsible for quickly recognizing and flushing out waste in all its forms,
and producing a positive atmosphere
full of energy, warmth and light.

Finally, the siding and roof
must be built with the shingles of self-acceptance and unwavering confidence.
This will allow the storms of life to fall upon me,
as there's no escape nor retreat,
but that I'll not only be able to withstand,
but quickly and efficiently shake off and continue forward
as though I had never been beaten upon.
For, I will hold strong!

This new home is possible!
I am the architect of my life.
The blueprint is laid out before me.
I have all the tools and it's time to get to work!

TRUE HAPPINESS comes
through struggle and pain,
As a rainbow appears
only after the rain.

It's how reaching a summit
takes your time and your breath,
But once with the clouds
it was worth every step.

And for muscles to strengthen
a breakdown's required,
Painful wearing and tearing
and fibers rewired.

As with bone that's been broken
and realigned once more,
How often the after
is stronger than the before.

A synergistic principle's
alive in our hearts,
Where joy is now greater
than the sum of its parts.

TRUE HAPPINESS comes
through struggle and pain,
As a rainbow appears 
only after the rain.

Though, at times, we may ask
while engulfed in our fears,
"Is the outcome really worth
all this blood, sweat and tears?"

But with one simple glance
to our left and our right,
We see warriors beside us
to help fight the fight.

Surrounded by those
who knows what it takes,
They augment our talents
and forgive our mistakes.

Oh, the joy that is found
when we all come together,
Through trials and triumphs
in good and bad weather.

It's no hologram, fantasy, mirage
or unknowing
It's tangible, achievable
if we just keep on going

TRUE HAPPINESS comes
through struggle and pain,
As a rainbow appears
only after the rain.

We're gathered together in tribute to pay,
A life that was lost, yet still paving the way,
And in spite of our mourning, all is not grey,
For heaven received a new angel today.

The lives that were touched by your marks will portray,
The memories created that forever will stay,
As those who've been blessed to know you would say,
That heaven received a new angel today.

So, thank you dear (loved one) for all that you gave,
Your time and your heart; Each sacrifice made,
Just keep moving forward and let your legacy stay,
As heaven receives a new angel today.

And into HIS arms may you run to this day,
Eternal embracing with tears wiped away,
HIS army's now stronger than it was yesterday,
Because heaven received a new angel today.

When you offered the plan
That would make men free,
Was I there?
Did you call upon me?

In the greatest of wars
Defending the right,
Was I there...
By your side?

When you passed forty days
Overcoming the flesh,
Was I there...
When you needed to rest?

Standing there on the edge
And being tempted to fall,
Was I there...
To catch you at all?

When you left ninety-nine
To go find the one
Who didn't care,
Oh, was I there...

To testify if the truth
When you said "Come follow me"
Was I there...
To help him believe?

Then you new it was time
To overcome
The fall of mankind
Through the blood of The Son...

And with love in your heart
Fell to your knees,
Where you bled
For me!

Oh, was I there?
Oh my Lord, my God!
It only seems fair
Oh I hope I was there!

Hanging there on the cross
And knowing hours remained
Could you think of me
To help ease your pain?

Yes I hope I was there
In all your times of need
Like you're always there
For me!

And when you come again
To take up your throne
Will I be there...
To hear, "My child, welcome home!"

When choices present throughout the whole day
Enticing you to go this or that way
With convincing arguments that both sides portray;
I find answers are oft in the middle.

Screams to pick teams, we must choose from extremes
In a world which we live in with vitriolic themes
And haters both teeter and totter it seems;
Whereas balance is oft in the middle.

How unpopular it is to not pick a side
And a reach 'cross the aisle now seems to divide
Each end of the spectrum prompts feelings to hide;
When peace is oft in the middle.

Whether raised to critique with a skeptical eye
Or to simply believe without questioning why
Both can dangerously judge with a stubborn reply;
While curiosity is oft in the middle.

When a harm has been done and there's reason to hate
And it feels like they've won 'cause no one can relate
So you force out a smile hoping time will abate;
Yet forgiveness is oft in the middle.

When criticizing you is the best they can do
And you want to respond so that they feel it too
Let the pendulum swing for a moment or two;
Because love is oft in the middle.

The batteries of a flashlight
or a luminescent wristwatch
will die over time;
HIS light is immortal.

The bulb in the streetlamp
the headlight
the modern-day lighthouse
will all burn out one day;
HIS light will burn on forever.

The lights cast by
a small ember
the cozy chimney flame
or the raging wildfire
will at some point lose their power;
HIS light will never extinguish.

Even the celestial lights
the sun, the moon, the stars
all have their temperance
within a single rotation of the Earth,
HIS light is omnipresent.

HE is the only true,
Light of the World.