Nine Times Rise

eight times fall
nine times rise

alone in the dark
the light of the tv
the only conspirator
whispering loneliness
but never touched
or touched
or felt or loved
yet
eight times fall
nine times rise

teardrops stain the earth
run along the barren soil
and empty to the secret places
a small boy reads of life
finds places to be
anywhere but here

secreted from his father’s shadow
tastes his bitter brew
malformed manhood turns to dust
never noticed
never loved
and still
and still
nine times fallen
ten times rise

and God holds him dear
dries his mournful sorrow
heals his wounded heart
for
ten times fallen
one time Rise

(c) 2006 William E. Jones, Jr. All Rights Reserved.