God's Work Upon the Walls

War can take the innocent
For what they may believe.
Lock them up without a hope
That they will ever leave.
That's how it was for one young man,
Whose faith was very strong.
They threw him in a pitch black hole,
Where criminals belong.
     He prayed, "Dear God how long?"

At times they heard his laughter,
Float on clouds of sorrow.
He'd cry himself to sleep at night,
And hope for no tomorrow. 
Was locked up in the lonely dark,
When music came to him.
He wrote with wings above the clouds, 
Where light was never dim.
     Flying with the seraphim.

Was fed and watered once a day, 
And served up endless pain.
He smiled at his torturers,
They thought he was insane.
But, Angels sang in harmony,
To songs he would compose.
An orchestra played in his head,
The notes God only knows.
     His endless river flows.

Prison cannot cage a man,
Who lives inside his soul.
His body suffered, yet he moved 
On to his final goal.
And when he knew the room was filled, 
He heard God's welcome calls.
Some of the worlds great symphonies,
Were scratched into the walls.
     God's work upon the walls.

They found him laying on the floor.
The end of his long days.
The good Lord works his miracles,
In many different ways.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
July 26, 2014 at 1:29 PM
This saddens me to read of such mistreatment but prison be it one of war, one of crime or one of our own making is none the less a very difficult place in which to reside..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara
Nehls Avatar
July 28, 2014 at 7:00 AM
I'm glad you liked this one, Sara. Thank you so much... Robert.
Vaso Avatar
June 20, 2014 at 10:50 PM
I loved this poem, a true story you say its not but you have no idea how close you are to a few true stories. One that has some common threads is of course Nelson Mandela, however the one closest to this, well I will let you see for yourself, Henyrk Górecki - Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 , Absolutly great write you did here!!!!
Nehls Avatar
June 21, 2014 at 7:59 AM
Thanks so much for your comments, Arthur. I read the story of the symphony you spoke of and it is very interesting, indeed. Interesting how this can be compared to some true stories. Sometimes they are fed to us and we must write them down. Thanks for the information my friend and for reading my poetry.... Robert.
Davis Avatar
June 18, 2014 at 10:39 PM
Robert This is so heartfelt and emotional. A very inspiring and faithful story. Thank you for the fun comment on my Block Party poem.
Nehls Avatar
June 19, 2014 at 7:01 AM
Hi, Robin. I'm so happy you liked this on. This one just kind of took over and I held on for the ride. It, like the only part I played was writing it down. Inspiration from above. Thank God.... Robert.
Gibson Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:14 PM
Hope you get the reply....think I pulled one of your tricks. Read below under my first comment. Lol.
Dietrich Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:00 PM
gosh, is this a TRUE story?? I would love it if such a man had given us such great works scratched on a wall. If not, you have created a wondrous tale for us!
Nehls Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:10 PM
Thank you so much, Andrea. I'm so happy you read this one. No, this is not a true story. I don't know if your inspiration comes this way but this one just kind of surprised me as I wrote it. So vivid in my mind as it developed line after line. I love it when they do that. Your comments are great.... Robert
Nehls Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Thanks so much for reading this one, Faye. I guess the inspiration for this one was thinking about how God can help a person through the most difficult situations, such as being a prisoner of war. Then it started developing in my mind and I just wrote it down. Sometimes it happens that way and we're just along for the ride. Always look forward to your comments... Robert.
Gibson Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 2:00 PM
Robert, I love this poem. Could you tell me what the inspiration was...I feel like I should know the story but maybe it is just striking some poetic chord within me. Made me think of William Cowper. Would love to know more of your story. Thanks for visiting me several times recently. The Bridge is one of my favorites among my own poems. Faye
Gibson Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:11 PM
Well, yes, I have had that experience many times...can hardly and should not take credit for those writes. Really, the glory all belongs to God. Sometimes I have written with uncontrollable tears; it is a powerful and wonderful experience. I have heard that the lyrics to one of the familiar hymns were found written on the wall in an insane asylum.
Nehls Avatar
June 17, 2014 at 3:03 PM
OK Faye, I did it again, I put your reply on Andrea's comment. Please look for it there. Sorry about that.
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