She hath wings

Learning to soar above life's storms

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I have enjoyed writing poetry since childhood and I am hoping to find a wider audience on my blog. I am inspired to share the hope that I have while letting the reader glimpse the ups and downs of my journey.

  • Holding Your Balloon

    Solitude.

    Often oblivious to surrounding movement;

    Ears filled with a barrier of music;

    Gently, I drew near.

    Resolve.

    Never a harsh word- you were always gracious,

    Allowing support;

    I longed to help you rise.

    Pressure.

    Mountains of work –

    Easier to sleep, than try;

    Concerned, I spoke for you.

    Turning point.

    Line by line, task by task;

    With care,

    You succeeded.

    Pass!

    The year was over; schooling complete –

    Balloons were soaring high into the air…

    But you held yours close – not ready to release it.

    Courage.

    You stood your ground;

    Determined not to follow a set path.

    Parting words, then goodbye.

    Relief.

    Grateful to see you standing there;

    Saddest of days – I needed to find you…

    Timidly, I drew near.

    Compassion.

    As if I had lost my own brother, I felt your pain;

    Searching for words of comfort;

    I handed you words of life.

    Downcast.

    Unsure if I would ever see you again,

    Praying that you would find hope in the Everlasting Arms…

    Heavy-hearted, I walked away.

    © M. Patterson 2021

  • Now To Forget You

    Now To Forget You

    You cared – really cared;

    You made me feel like a princess

    When everyone else passed me by.

    But you were not to be mine.

    I watched you from a distance

    Then hid myself away;

    I couldn’t bear it any longer.

    You had moved on,

    But I was still stuck in yesterday.

    You looked after me,

    Like a guardian angel,

    Pleading with God on my behalf-

    Pushing through my walls.

    Now to forget you-

    How to forget you?

    It is tough, but I must;

    Content in who I am,

    Standing strong,

    In the light of the One who

    Calls my name.

    You’ll go your way

    And I’ll go mine-

    Perhaps walking together

    But different journeys;

    I’ve always got your back,

    But your heart I release like a dove.

    Now to forget you…

    The one who inspired me to believe in love again.

    © M. Patterson 17.1.2016

  • Ruins

    Broken,

    Washed up, dried up,

    You feel that your best years are behind you

    Paralysed;

    Scared to move or even speak –

    You don’t want to fall again…

    The lies have overtaken you –

    Bound you like a spider

    Suffocating its prey as it crushes it in thread

    Every new dream, every new spark

    Chopped down before it takes flight

    Another plan or routine –

    Nothing changes;

    Same old disallusionment.

    “Can you still love me when I’m broken and cannot give anymore?”

    Slowly, you begin to heal –

    Those old ruins are being rebuilt

    A team has been raised around you;

    Some to fight

    Some to lay the bricks

    Some to encourage

    Some to propel you forward

    Lift up your head and see –

    It’s not over!

    It was never over –

    Time is out of your hands.

    © M. Patterson 10.2.2015

  • I Am Here With You

    No matter what you’re going through

    I am here with you –

    And every step you take,

    Is a step you take with Me.

    I’m guiding and directing you

    Into a greater plan;

    For every day you live,

    Is a day you live for Me.

    The things I ask my child to do

    Are possible through Me

    And in every task I set for you,

    I’ve already gone before.

    I’m teaching you and growing you

    In the way that’s best for you –

    For every day that passes

    You’re becoming more like Me.

    I’m asking you to lay aside

    Your own ways and intents

    And every day to live

    The life of Christ and not your own.

    I care so deeply for you

    And I love you without end –

    So come with Me and let Me make you

    All that you can be.

    © M. Patterson 2000

  • Holding Your Hand

    When you are discouraged

    I am holding your hand

    Feeling your pain

    Reaching your heart.

    Wrapped around you

    Steadying your steps

    I minister with joy

    When it seems all is gone.

    I see you asleep

    Watching over you

    I ensure

    That none would harm you*

    I alone

    Have counted every tear

    Placing them in a bottle

    I cannot forget.

    Only I have the answers

    You do not need to understand

    I have gone before you

    Preparing the way

    Crushing down walls

    Your God, your comfort

    Your friend

    © M. Patterson 5.1.2000

    *I believe that if we have given our life to Jesus, even if our body is harmed, no one can steal our soul, for it belongs to Him.

  • Farewell, In Sorrow

    I wept for you throughout the night –

    Your breath is here no more;

    The prime of your life, no prize for you –

    You longed for heaven’s door.

    No joy, it seemed, in simple things –

    Your hopes strewn all over the place

    Despondent, slipping – you tried to overcome…

    Now I’m haunted by your face.

    Others I’ve known, left the very same way;

    Their parting, they felt was a need –

    My life forever altered the day I learned it;

    Do you know how you made our hearts bleed?

    Your loved ones are broken now;

    In full-blown emotion, they wonder what they could have done;

    But there’s nothing that could have barred you from death

    Once the dark journey had begun.

    Others may wish they took your place

    So you could live out your years –

    But you were so troubled – noone could come in;

    You hid your anger and tears.

    I feel for the family you left behind –

    Do you know what they must now face?

    A life without you; torment on repeat –

    None could ever take your place.

    I pray that they will live with purpose,

    Rising above the ocean of pain-

    I hope that there will come a day

    When they can laugh and sing again.

    You didn’t realise how many you touched

    Just by living the years you were here;

    They all wish they could see you again

    And tell you that you were held dear.

    Farewell, in sorrow – we’ll not smile today;

    Our grief is much to bear –

    But you, in your absence, have hastened us all

    To let others know we care.

    © M. Patterson 16.4.21

  • A crossroad

    Today was one of those days which define a crossroad and lead into the next chapter. I began the day feeling nervous and nauseous, wondering about the outcome of a meeting. Right up until the last moment I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to come to agreement on the main points but in a wonderful way, all my fears were allayed and I held my head high. Dad bought me a celebratory coffee on the way home and I rejoiced in the changes made through collaboration and choosing not to be silent.

    There is often a need to speak up but we have to weigh up the consequences. I simply couldn’t cope with another year like that and was prepared to walk away. Instead, I have the best possible scenario, able to keep things the same except for the parts of the commitment that drained me the most.

    To add to my relief, I missed out on a potential horrific accident today- a car sped through the lights in the street I was turning into after the lights had been red for them about ten seconds and I had started to make my right turn. Someone witnessed it and commented when they saw me at the local shops a couple of minutes later; ” You avoided that well. Angels were watching over you. I didn’t want to see a horrific accident today”. We exchanged encouraging words about Jesus himself watching me and I shared that He knew I had an important meeting an hour and a half later. Two children in the back were very grateful I saw the car and beeped my horn. I am grateful that my entire day was safe within His care and that the car metaphor was a clear sign as well; I was going to enter that cross road and continue on my journey that began many months before.

  • What Is It We Celebrate?

    What Is It We Celebrate?

    Many seem to wonder

    As Christmas comes around once more,

    Why they have waited in anticipation;

    What they have waited for.

    Perhaps they thought it was Santa

    Or maybe presents under the tree –

    The buzzing excitement in the shopping malls

    The children, blithe and free!

    Maybe it was the carols –

    The chance to hold a candle light,

    Or dreaming of the day to come

    When sleeping Christmas night.

    Whatever Christmas means to you,

    A gift is the central core –

    And here is the reason for you

    To celebrate once more;

    One night a special child was born-

    God came to the earth as a child,

    To live as we do, but doing no wrong-

    A babe so innocent and mild.

    Like us, he experienced joy and pain,

    But He came to set us free

    From the price of sin that no man could pay-

    So we could live eternally.

    And so, please take the time to think

    As this Christmas comes and goes –

    Thank the Lord for the best gift of all –

    The sacrifice He chose.

    I pray that you accept Jesus – God’s free gift

    And that you will answer His call;

    For without Him there’s nothing to celebrate –

    No meaning to life at all!

    © M. Patterson 1996