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.

It's sometimes easy to think
We have nothing to give;
Yet we often have more to offer
Than we tend to believe.

We can give a smile
To those we meet on our way;
It could warm their hearts
And brighten their day.

We can give a pat,
A gentle squeeze, a simple touch.
If offered in the nick of time
Sometimes can mean so much.

We can give a second chance,
For that willingness to forgive
Others for their seeming lapses,
Is a blessed thing to give.

We can lend a listening hear
To someone who seems distraught;
For the comfort it often affords,
Money sometimes cannot.

We can offer kind words;
"Thank you," "Love you," "Well done,"
Are sometimes all we have to say
To be a blessing to someone.

It's true, money is important.
So many needs it can relieve;
Still we can look beyond the purse
And find priceless things to give.

If only
We'd have helping hands that lead,
Open arms accepting those in need,
Not fingers pointing out misdeeds.

If only
We'd have tender lips full of smiles,
Gently speaking the truth instead of lies,
Not a caustic tongue that beguiles.

If only
We'd have eyes keen for good results,
And not leering eyes that insult,
Or ones always searching for faults.

If only
We'd have a gentle soul willing to forgive,
A tender heart that offers reprieve,
Not one that is flinty and stiff.

How often
We'd have goodwill with our fellow being,
Get by with even those who seem mean,
And enjoy peace without and within.

If only....

Get annoyed with someone
And explode in fury
But later after calming down
You'd look back
On the huffing and the puffing
And the ranting
And the chanting,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?

Get smitten with someone
And lose all sense of judgement
But when their true colour emerges
You'd look back
On the pleasing and the teasing
And the needing
And the pleading,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?

Get let down on an expectation
And end up frustrated
But later when things work out
You'd look back
On the fretting and the sweating
And the scurrying
And the worrying,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?

But if in the heat of the moment
We can pray for the grace
To maintain a clear head
And a quiet heart
To control the thrilling or feeling
Or the raving
Or the craving.
Later, we won't have to wonder,
"What was I thinking?"

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.

You're not so important
That you can't be replaced.
If you leave today,
Someone will fill your space;
Cool it down.

You're not that mighty
That you cannot fall.
Sometimes what will make you trip
Is something really small;
Cool it down.

You're not that wise
To justly give into pride.
You can learn useful lessons,
Sometimes from a little child;
Cool it down.

You're not that excellent
By earning other's applause.
Same folks that shout your praise
Can still point out your flaws;
Cool it down.

Don't get so confident
To presume you're the only one.
Should you die today,
Life will simply go on;
Cool it down.

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.

Fueling your faith
In what you've got within...
In your God-given gift,
It's a wonderful thing.

It will fuel your drive
To pursue a worthwhile goal,
To reach for the sky
With all of your soul.

It ignites the will
In you to spread your wings,
To give things a try,
See what the future brings.

It will feed your grit,
To renew efforts denied.
To get up after a fall,
To take a hitch in stride.

It will aid your poise
Once you start to rise up high
And ride upon the clouds
When you begin to fly.

It's a beautiful thing,
With rewards so great,
When you quell your doubts
And you fuel your faith.