As the Emotion Ebbs

Overwhelmed by a tide of fear

I sacrificed the next generation

to save myself

overcome by waves of panic

I surrendered family

and community

in an effort to find safety alone

and now as these feelings drain away

toward the sea

I am left with the garbage of the storm

that remains before me

I wonder how I can return

if I can ever be clean

after everything that I’ve done

you were content to rest in the truth

while I gave in to my mad instinct

you have sailed to a new world

while I am still on this beach of ruin

wondering why I refused to learn

why I let myself be tossed and turned

by every whim of doubt

while you found your strength

renewed by the Spirit

I gave in to emotion

and am only left with regret

that I didn’t have I didn’t have the courage

to keep the faith as you did

is there one more chance left

to turn the page

as you have done