Poems by A.T. Alabi

Prayer is the breath
That revives my soul.
Prayer is the balm
That makes my spirit whole.
Prayer is my path
Into the realm up above.
Prayer is the wave
That fills my heart with love.
Prayer is the key
That opens the bolted door.
It is the battle plan
When I find myself at war.
Prayer is the gift
That I send a distant friend.
It's prayer, the lifeline
I will use right to the end.

The good deeds that I do
Are not what can save my soul.
That's not why I do them,
It should never be the goal.

I will never do enough.
For my failings, I can't atone.
All my righteousness is found
In Christ, the Lord alone.

He's made me brand new,
And all my sins, He did remove.
I do not need to act noble,
I've got nothing to prove.

Let me do them to produce
The one thing that really matters -
Not admiration for myself,
But a yearning for God in others.

So each time I try to do good,
Dear Lord, please take control.
With humility and purity of heart,
Help me remember the goal.

Where my heart truly lies
Is in the beauty of a simple life,
In a little peace and quiet,
Slower pace and lesser strife.

Where I'd find time to walk
Leisurely down a winding road,
Strolling in the woods, savoring
Each unfolding scenic episode.

Where I'd find time to sit
And nestle by the almond tree,
Feeling its quiet windy whispers
As it gently cuddles me.

Where I'd find time to stand
Quietly behind the windowpane,
Cradling a mug, watching the world
Showered with a gentle rain.

Where I'd find time to catch
The sparkling poise of a firefly
And lounge in the serene canopy
Of a star-speckled velvet sky.

Just a little peace and quiet,
In between life's hectic pace...
And I find my soul better aligned,
Filled with sweet solace.

There's a still small voice,
Always there to aid my choice.
Wisdom's whispers soft but strong,
Teaching me right from wrong...
'Tis the Living Word.

There is a sweet treat,
Honey from the comb so free to eat.
The pure and pristine whole,
That daily delights my soul...
'Tis the Living Word.

There is a guiding light,
A shining lamp on dreary nights.
The path is clear in its glow,
When I'm not sure which way to go...
'Tis the Living Word.

There is a flaming sword
Keeping my mortal mind secured.
My stand to fight and take apart,
Evil wiles against my heart...
'Tis the Living Word.

There is an oasis,
Wellspring of hope and peace.
A fountain that never runs dry,
Healing and lifting my spirit high...
'Tis the Living Word.

Helpless in so many ways,
In Thee I find sufficient grace;
So help me live, dear Lord, I pray,
In thoughts and deeds and all I say...
Thy Living Word.

There are times to hurry.
Some things in life call for speed.
But more than ever, I'm learning
That pace is really what I need.

Sometimes I'll ask myself,
What the haste is all about?
When strength is easier maintained
Than regained after burnout.

There certainly will always be
That job that needs to get done.
New challenges will always rise,
So will the battles to be won.

It's healthier to make a plan,
To give to God each new day.
To appreciate the gift of life,
And spend some time to pray.

To rise and stride into the day,
With a goal clearly defined.
And give my best to whatever role
It is that I've been assigned.

To make the space to savour
The joy of a task complete
Before hopping on the next challenge,
To take the time to breathe.

To fit in little things that matter
Than how fast I'd move each day.
Like the lifted mind or grateful heart
I would leave along the way.

To break lofty intents into bits,
And take them one at a time.
To simply take each day as it comes,
And steadily enjoy the climb.