My son—
do not run.
Stay close,
the world is full of snares.
I have carried you
through nights of thunder,
through roads of hunger and dust.
My arms were a shield,
my breath your lullaby.
But now—
I cannot hold the storm.
My voice cracks,
yet still I sing:
My son, dear son,
walk gently,
do not stumble.
Your name is carved
in the marrow of my bones.
If the earth swallows me,
remember this:
I fought for the light
so you could rise.
Sing my song when you are weary.
Sing it as your shield.
And know—
even in silence,
I am beside you.
My walls are tall. I’ve built them strong
To keep out all who don’t belong.
It seems a lonely life but not so much.
For protection, safety’s sake,
I’ve built them so they cannot break.
You can’t be hurt if you cannot be touched.
Here in my heart alone I dwell
Within this mighty citadel.
A fortress keeping foreigners at bay.
I won’t expose my fragile heart
To those who might tear it apart.
My signs are posted, “Danger! Keep away!”
I like it here with only me.
Though I may hurt, no one can see.
My secrets safe from anybody else.
With solitude my only friend
My heart might have a chance to mend.
At least that’s what I try to tell myself.
Perhaps, someday I’ll drop my shield,
My fortress then an open field
Where one might dance and play beneath the sky.
But until then I’ll keep them strong,
Staying here where I belong,
Where none will ever see the tears I cry.
Yet, strangely I can faintly hear
A quiet voice drift to my ear.
Singing, “Let me in,” persistently.
It troubles me to hear this song
That gently echoes on and on.
For why would anybody want to be
In here with me
Good night my love adieu
Let the moon whisk away your fears
Angels will watch over you
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
I am a flickering light -
a little candle -
a dancing flame so happy to have been set alight!
But I am fragile, Father.
A sudden gust could blow me out.
A brief shower of rain.
A spiteful touch from cold fingers.
A swell of noxious pride at my own tiny mortal beauty.
So hold me very close, Father.
Shield me with your mighty, gentle hand.
Be patient with me as only you could be.
For I am a forgetful and unfaithful little heart.
But, at least for a moment,
I can offer you my sincere desire to love you,
though I fear that I hardly have the power to love at all.
But you make all things new.
Written in Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
2025-08-22
started before noon, finished by 12:04 PM.
I am yellow-green! Peridot the color of self-esteem
Protective against life’s rife that may stream
I come from the earth’s rich interiors ore,
xenolith layers that make up its inner core
Purifying positive spiritual energy and well-being
Channeling love to intrusive shadows unseen
When sunrays shimmer thru shade tree leaves,
you’ll see me glinting behind the summer breeze
Dewy meadows in warm August blankets at sunrise
I am your luxuriant gift, and you are the prize
sweet angel
watching over us ~
feeling safe
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
In twilight's hush, where shadows play,
A maiden sits, in white array,
Upon the steps of ancient stone,
A temple's grandeur, all her own.
Her dark tresses cascade, like night,
Down her back, a gentle, flowing light,
Adorned with jewels, shining bright,
A headband, earrings, and a necklace's delight.
Her arms, crossed over knees so fine,
A pose of contemplation, divine,
As if lost in thought, she sits and stays,
Amidst the spires, that touch the cloudy rays.
The temple's carvings, intricate and old,
Tell tales of myths, and stories untold,
The sky above, a cloudy sea,
Adds to the serenity, of this scene, so free.
In this serene and peaceful place,
The maiden's beauty, is a work of art, a flame,
That burns, a gentle, peaceful light,
A moment captured, in the still of night.
YOU ARE MY COVERING
Lord you are vast
Omnipotent have no end
You are before beginning
Alpha and Omega you are
Beyond beginning and end
And when I’m with you
You cover me through all of my travels you cover me
Through space time and energy you cover me
While I’m naked or cloth
You cover me
You cover
Father within and above me
You cover me
You cover
Hallelujah
Oh! Lord you cover me
Father above and within you cover me
7/03/25
Written words & arranged music by James Edward Lee Sr.©2025
From “I CRY OUT TO YOU”
Oh lovely lady of ivory hair
How your pale skin shimmers in the day
How your hazel eyes compliment your smile
With teeth as white as pearls
And lips of a blushing rose
Your walk as even as a calm stream
And your voice as sweet as honey
Such a shame for a soulless shell
She holds such an untrue beauty
Her eyes as empty as a soulless corpse
Her smile holds only a wicked happiness
Her lips shoot cold truth only to disturb
Her walk has no elegance but holds only pride
She lets her hair display her envy
Dyed red with rage of rejection
Her pale skin shattered with broken innocents
If you see this broken woman wandering near
Do not ward her away
I fear she may collapse where she stands
Like a branch under unbearing pressure
Of being alone and unloved
witness protection
I don’t think I could do it
no contact ever
you can’t call your mom
cannot let your best friend know where you are
will never hear their voices again
cannot send them a letter
there is no time to say goodbye to grandma
I hope that I never witness a murder
T-o
E-levate
S-piritual
S-trength
D-efies
E-vil,
L-etting
A-lmighty's
C-ounsel
R-epulse
U-ngodly
Z-one
©bfa052325
Monocrostic (Birthday of Tess SJ Dela Cruz)
There will never be
A story told
That does not measure
Hope so old
As in this tree
With shading bow
As here I sit
In writing now
For in this ancient
Solid form
That buries deep
Under the norm
Of human treadmill
Feet that scurry
A wisdom lies
Below the flurry
Such gnarly skin
Yet seasoned clothes
A message tall
This tree bestows
For those with eyes
For those with ears
A whisper to dispel
Your fears
Carbon capture
Monolith
Prompts perfect style
For kin and kith
We learn our futures
Can be bright
If trust, we do
With such insight
Roots in earth
Yet highest height
Entwined in life
As nature’s rite
So let us grow
Persistently
Protecting, loving
A human tree
sometimes I wonder
who is that little porcelain doll
dwelling in the chambers of my heart
fragile beyond appearances
potentially crushed by a word said
or another held back
and yet at other times
i wonder if she has withered away
since my heart feels cold and empty
AP: 1st place 2025
Gentle Men as Mothers :Quest for Identity Protection.
Gentle he was with them, male and female -
His brothers and sisters from the start...
No giant in disposition, his tender thoughts
Spoke volumes to both men and women-
All of us need words that nurture hearts to heal
Like a nursing mother with her children,
His position did not forbid tones of comfort-
Well meant words from from men's careful hearts
Upbuild to teach, with confidence, not might.
No two -face approach which beats himself.
The feminine one, flesh of man's flesh safe in mind-heart.
No need to blow forbidden kisses
to false goddesses passing by...
The Apostle Paul: his motherly qualities. 1Thessalonians 2:7,8
(The "feminine" qualities in men, are drawn to the feminine qualities in women-
He is a Man who can empathize with his "complement." There is no need to be harsh.
God, as Supreme Authority, is the same. James 5:11
Aqua Marine. 10th April 2025.
a menacing fog hangs low serpenting
and infiltrating nooks and crannies
while the news continues
to spew its ugliness and venom
resistance may be futile
but i fiercely refuse to stop defending
the last little corner of my brain
that remains unblemished
by this mile high pile
of appalling bile that's vile
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
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