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

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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…)

By RTF Co-Partner Halee Matthews

feel the coolness, the crisp, smooth air,

glorious colors bursting forth,

from green to orange and yellow and brown,

so much beauty everywhere.

watch the dance as they each float down,

these pieces of heaven’s beauty.

sailing, soaring, on the wind they fly,

twirling, twisting, spinning ’round.

sit back, relax, exhale a sigh,

and enjoy the glorious show.

watch all the colors mingle and meet,

give a nod as they pass by.

bid adieu to the stifling heat,

smell the fresh, pungent scent of change.

breathe it in, your soul to awaken,

indulge yourself in this treat.

for the leaves all too soon darken,

their bold, vibrant colors muffled.

the scent of Fall fades from the cold air.

farewell till we meet again.

By Staff Writer Judi Weiss

Father, I’ve been waiting
For you to reach down
And show them who you are
And turn this mess around (more…)