The In-Between

it is not when the tempest pounds the river’s shore 

as hostile waves compose a violent song

nor in its silence, its surface like a mirror

but when its ebb and flow simply rolls along

it is not when the sun is highest in its flight 

giving light and life to all who watched it rise

nor when it abandons and gives way to the night

but when it plainly rests on common skies 

it is not when grief and fear choke the life from me

nor when joy chases away all my doubts

but I know where it is found, inside the two extremes

where life quietly hums along its route

here I lose my need for grace

here I lose my need for grace

When I Grow Up

Am I the only one who still bleeds?
I know that’s quite selfish of me
But at times it seems our faults and fears
Our trials and tears
Were meant to end at 21 years

Cuz at 22 you learn to just
Daily wipe away the dust
Bleach out all the dirt and stains,
Regurgitate our trite refrains
So no one sees your inward pain

Whitewashed tombs take our stead
And it seems that I have joined the dead
And learned to keep my silence deep
Below the waters in my keep
Where no one knows I sometimes weep

Father, force that me asunder
Who acts as though I’m free from blunder
Who’s scared to let you come inside
Who futilely tries so hard to hide
Sins for which you already died

- Joshua D. Elliott