Ice Cream for the Soul

Tougher Than That

I use to look at my fists, tiny and black

“Boy, if a white kid come in my yard,

Where he know he better not

I’d hit him; real hard”

I know I was small; and not to tall

“But blacks got to be stronger than white”,

I thought

“Besides, they look so weak on T.V.

And never seem to want to fight”

Their mothers come into their rooms

And tuck them in at night

Man, if that was only me…

But “no”, said I, “I’m tougher than that”

Well, now, my fists have brought me More

More pain than joy they’ve taught me

Someone to cover and tuck me in

Was all I really wanted….

Taking me in, Christ showed me,

His love and kindness found me, whether

sleep, or awake, He covers me, yes

it was His Love that truly saved me

No more fighting with fists of anger

Only with Love, I defeat my enemies

For I need not lift a finger,

For now, we’re tougher than that

Grace Immortal

Grace is poured into my lips

Filling my wells with redemption

Cool to the touch, it quenches my thirst

And satisfies my hunger

I must not seek to leave this place

Though greener pastures beckon

It’s only a mirage of heat arising

For all around is desert

It was all my long and tedious rambling

That taught me this, if nothing

Put not your trust in shallow reflections

Of vain and wanton longings

Now my soul lies full and fattened

Never to leave this precious fountain

Though, I must not rest, with self-content

Nor make sweet sleep my fellow

But rise in strength and confidence

With just a drop of this water

Tempt the souls of other men and draw them

To Salvation

When Silence Speaks

Like a sign in the dark… no eye can read

Silent hands of the fluent deaf, speak

And we are dumb… who cannot sign

Fearing the difference…. I hold my hands

And I, like a deaf man, do not hear….

But, with silent eyes I “wink”

Or with my face an uncomfortable smile

Little did I know that…. Silence speaks

“Go away!” “Do not exist”!

“Your difference bothers me!”

“If only you could speak…

Spanish or French, I might try to learn.

But this signing embarrasses me

And causes others to stare….”

NO!

It’s to my shame if only silence speaks

Friends through friendliness learn to sign

If only a word a week

I will take the time and with a sign

I’ll teach my hands to speak