If I weren't afraid I'd never have made
The decision that changed my life's direction
An absolute gut-check, no options carefully weighed
My path took an abrupt mid-course correction
Raised with a bare modicum of religious instruction
I knew I was born Jewish, but that's about all
Didn't see anything in it but weeping and destruction
'Til the day my ignorance made me feel small
Confronted by an aggressive evangelist, I had no reply
Couldn't defend my forefathers' faith with a single 'why'
Thought I, a 3,000-year-tradition must have a lot to say
I resolved to go to Israel the very next day
While I had always resented being labeled 'a Jew'
What if the little I knew was actually true?
That there's a God in Heaven Who loves you
But Who you're personally accountable to
Looking back, it was my fear that saved me
From turning my back on my people and nation
For that I can surely thank my lucky stars
That fear's the first step toward faith and salvation
September 09, 2019
If I Weren't Afraid Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Line Gauthier
10 reps of Haiku curls
10 reps of Irish Ballad presses
3X5 paragraphs of trenchant prose
5X Lyrical lunges
Last 5 minutes: Free range editing gut check
Every morning that I wake now I speak your name
This gypsy life I live is the only gut check that causes me pain
I try so hard to bring myself home but time it seems so long
I try so hard looking into your eyes to see if something is wrong
I try running but I am never fast enough
God help me, I need the smallest bit of luck
Well now I’ve fallen
But on my lips your name I’m calling
Is this forever?
This pain well no I never
Felt like this before
Just take my hand and please don’t close the door
These frosty days melt into one, they’re all the same
Like a wounded soldier now I walk like I’ve been maimed
My heart is caged up desperately wanting to find a way out
Searching for a way to show you how I feel so you won’t doubt….
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