By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick
The scar on your arm
Is only a clue
Of the scar inside
That once terrified you
The fear is gone
The scar remains
A reminder of loss
And the power of pain
Love is a man
With a scar on His arm
It runs deep like yours
He understands harm
The scar on His arm
Is only a clue
Of the scar inside
That He bears for you
****
I wrote this several years ago for a friend when he told me he struggled with cutting himself.
At the time I didn’t tell him that I understood how he felt… I couldn’t even admit to myself that I struggled with self-harm.
Eventually the day came when I was ready to ask for help…
If I knew where he was today, I would tell my friend — you are not alone, and you can be free from this.
I know.
Your journey starts with finding a safe place to be vulnerable…
Contact me or Halee at realteenfaith[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.
by RTF Staff Writer Judi Weiss
Your poison fills my veins
As you take me for a ride
It’s driving me insane
I need somewhere to hide (more…)
By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick
My child, you were never meant to bear
This burden on your shoulders
You’re much too small you lack the strength
You’re such a tiny soldier
And all this time you’ve marched along
Crying “I’m strong too”
When I was here just waiting
To carry this cross for you (more…)
by RTF Staff Writer Judi Weiss
My almost first
My almost dance
My almost love
My almost romance
My almost dark
My almost light
My almost day
My almost night (more…)
By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick
You’re tangled in her web
It’s obvious to me
There’s nothing I can do
To make you feel or see
She’s bringing you down
Pulling you deep
‘Cause you’re tangled in
Her web of deceit
You’re hanging on her words
Her every phrase so sweet
You’re dancing to the sound
Of her mysterious beat
When the music ends
With weary, tired feet
You’ll despair and die
In her web of deceit
“…for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.”
- Proverbs 6:22
****
A note from B.J.: I know this is a weird poem, but I wrote it a few years ago when I was sad about the path a friend of mine was taking. It was hard to watch him make choices I knew were hurting him… and I know a lot of you are in the midst of similar choices.
I’ve been there. And I want you to know the web is never inescapable. I would love to encourage your heart if you are struggling today. Email me at realteenfaith[at]gmail[dot]com if you need to talk. -bj
Happy Retro Day! This poem caught my eye because it contains a truly beautiful message. I hope it encourages you to be worth waiting for. Enjoy! ~Halee
by RTF Staff Writer Jenn Joshua
Make me worth waiting for,
Lord, let me deserve my man
And whether I be rich or poor,
Give me strength of hands
I ask you for a smiling face
Pleasant as I grow old
I don’t ask for beauty outside
But for a heart of gold (more…)
by RTF Editor BJ Hamrick
What if I could breathe without you
Choking out my air?
What if I could sleep without you
Stripping my dreams bare?
What if I could love without you
Shouting through my mind?
What if I could write without you
Haunting every line?
What if I could trust without you
Tugging at my heart?
What if I could love without you
Tearing me apart? (more…)
by RTF Staff Writer Catey Yuen
Once you called me friend
Somehow, I wanted to give you my faith
I failed, so sorry
How inadequate are my feelings!
I wish I could have been better
Can I make it up to you, somehow?
I will find a way to love you, somehow
I will find a way to be a friend
My heart will break, but for the better
- It makes me remember my faith -
And shows me how love is more than feelings
But that is just a sorry, sorry (more…)