Patti Burris

Fear, like the blade of death

cuts through her heart

she holds her breath.

Alone to face the terror she feels,

she tries to run, but she stands still.

Waiting, waiting in the night

to scared to run, to scared to fight.

She feels the chill of hands upon her throat.

She waits for death and prays to God,

“Please God, help me. I can’t fight this alone.

If anyone can help me, you are the one.

I don’t want to die, Lord,

I want to live.

Give me one more chance, Lord,

I have a lot to give.”

She feels His presence, as the hands slip away.

God is with her, she won’t run away.

Her enemy, fear, is gone from her soul,

filling her with peace, with the words Jesus told,

“As you pass through the valley of the shadow of death,

fear no evil, for I am with you.

I will neither leave you, nor forsake you.

If you call on me, I will be there,

to fight the evil,

to fight the fear.

I am with you, child,

see my footprints in the sand,

remember this, my child,

I will never let go of your hand.

* This is an original poem I wrote at the age of 17