Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Inner Strength (04/20/06)
-
TITLE: A Wretch Like Me | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sherril Wendling
04/22/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
One tiny woman
With a battered guitar
Hugs her coat in the wind
And steps from her car
A shiver shoots ice
Through her delicate frame
She’d not be here at all
If it weren’t for the Name
These maximum walls
Decked with gleaming barbed wire
Harbor men whose souls flaunt
Every vicious desire
Society’s dregs
Filled with cunning and hate
Murderers, rapists
And mob potentates
Drug lords and robbers
Yes, pedophiles, too
Will she dare to blurt out
Jesus died just for you?
Female guards pat her down
Heavy doors clang behind
The chaplain awaits
Says, pretend you are blind
Walk quickly, don’t look
To the left or the right
They’ll be ogling you, girl
Don’t let them smell fright
The clacking of heels
Down the long corridor
Sets her mind in high gear
Please, Lord…What’s it all for?
What can I sing them
Who’ve learned all they know
Broken bottles and curses
In those hell-streets below?
Will rage bleed away
While I croon them my creeds
Good example uplift
As I drone my good deeds?
Ah, this must be the chapel
With its barren tile floor
This sagging old upright
Hardly plays any more
Now the hallway is bustling
With shuffling of feet
Four uniformed guards
Prod each one to his seat
Ugh! Those slitty-eyed looks--
Three huge guys in the back
Make her want to crawl home
And what’s more, they’re all black
The chaplain prays Scripture
Has them chant some old hymn
Then with furrowing brow
He turns on a whim
Come up here, young lady
Put a smile on your face
And lead in our favorite song:
“Amazing Grace”
With heart in her throat
She tunes a stiff string
Then screws her eyes tight
And gets ready to sing
But something deters her
Some stirring within
She cracks open one eyelid
Her gaze lands on him
A stocky, young blond kid
In the second left row
Sits grinning, expectant
His countenance glows
The inmate behind him
Bores holes in her heart
His soggy brown eyes
Beg for one last fresh start
Her gaze sweeps the room
She gasps at the view
They’re not here for me
Why, they came to find You
New confidence courses
Through heart, voice and hands
One moment! she pleads
Let me tell who I am
I’m a good little Baptist
Right down to my toes
I don’t swear, I don’t smoke
I keep ‘shalt nots’ and ‘no’s’
I met Jesus at five
Was baptized at ten
The one law I’ve broken
Is to speed now and then
But I’m a worse sinner
Than any of you
I love to pray loud
Always take the front pew
I’m the choir’s top soloist
Beyond all debate
And I like folks to notice
What I drop in the plate
I’m guilty of what
Jesus hated the most
Proud and religious
Addicted to boast
She dives in her pocket
For tissue, and blows
Mascara runs down
On one side of her nose
Perhaps I am here
To learn something from you
About living the real
About all things made new
About letting my walls down
And being just “me”
And how, through my weakness
His Spirit blows free
So tonight as we sing
How God rescued the wretch
Thanks for letting me shove
All this junk off my chest
We’re all hopelessly needy
Apart from the Lord
So let’s soak up the grace
He’s so freely outpoured
Men leap to their feet
Concrete echoes applause
Voices rise in sweet harmony
Praising the Cross
The arms of one mocker
Fall limp at his side
He nudges a buddy
Guards watch, stupefied
Three big men walking front
Shoulders hunched, single file
Their steaming hot tears
Blaze wet trails on the tile
The sad, brown-eyed seeker
Tiptoes up from one side
Then another…Another!
Her eyelids fly wide
There was no altar call
No eyes closed, no heads bowed
Why, those black guys are dancing
And shouting out loud
Joy is loose in the slammer
Cana’s wine in the cup
There’s no party quite like it
When Jesus shows up
Guards empty the chapel
She packs her guitar
All this for one number?
And home is yet far
But wait--a warm hand
Encircles her arm
The chaplain’s eyes crinkle
All sky-blue and warm
Sister, ten thugs
Were reborn here tonight
Because you found courage
To walk in the Light.
©2006
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Joy is loose in the slammer
Cana’s wine in the cup
There’s no party quite like it
When Jesus shows up
This poem was incredible! You told a wonderful story, painted the contrast between the small woman and the colossal task she was undertaking, and showed how our weakness is used by God when we are infused with His strength. All this and a perfect meter and rhyme scheme. Praise God for your gift!
Karen Deikun
"Joy is loose in the slammer
Cana’s wine in the cup
There’s no party quite like it
When Jesus shows up"