here i am, Lord, hear my plea
broken deeply, never free
lacking strength to even come
hither to Thy throne above.

wretched sinner, such as i
will you take me, here, tonight
save a sinner, mend a soul
will You make my shattered whole?

splintering my hardened heart
splitting shackles clean apart
cleansing my will to be Thine,
will You rest a wearied mind?

will You turn this life around
hell to heaven, skies from ground
turning night to brightest Day
will you lift me, now, today?

I want to make a work of art
To come across as smart
I have word goals
I have tongue coals

Ideas burn cerebrally
Come alive incrementally

Burning midnight oil
I slave and I toil
Write in waking hours
Dream of novels in my sleep
But these dreams though sweet
Will not eternity for me keep

You see if I slave for years
Write for decades
Or sing for ages
All I've done is nothing

Sioned was growing tired of the life she had chosen.

I never knew you, never will
Till I walk on gilded shores
But I'm descended from your line
Your oldest granddaughter.

Your life was broken, marred by sin
Rev’ling, adultery, drugs
You yielded daily to the pull
Of Satan’s darkest night.

Was there a sin left uncommitted?
In your life on earth
Is left unanswered; your brokenness
Was evident to all.

Yes, I’ll never know you here on earth
But in bright eternity
Face to face I’ll see you there
Where sin can reign no more.

Disclaimer: The author does not, by recording the actions of the main character, endorse the actions of said character, or any other character in this work.

CHAPTER SIX: A Student Again

You have been approved for the Federal Pell for the school year 2013-2014. Please access your student account to accept Federal Aid.

Allie Holmes. Track: LVN. Class of 2015. Houston Community College.

That felt good.

Hey, it might just be community college, just an LVN, and just an associates’ for now. But it was still nursing school. I was going to be a nurse.

Jason and Cybille sat in opposite seats on the train as the countryside sped past. Cybille was excited to see her family, and was bouncing up and down on the bench.
“Would you calm down? People are starting to stare at us.”
“Who cares? I can’t wait to see everyone! My dad’s going to be so surprised!”
Jason rolled his eyes at her. Cybille was rarely so excited about anything, and when she was, it was pretty entertaining to watch. By the time they reached the station in Kaur, Cybille had calmed down, but not by much.

CHAPTER FIVE: University

I sat on the bench, nervously. I clenched my sweaty palms, as if that would release some of the itchy tension in my veins. Rolling my eyes back slightly, I could see the entirety of the room, crowded with students. My fingers smoothed over my report card, though it was pressed to perfection.

Would the advisor say I was finished? Could I graduate this coming May?

Snippet 1

"Grandad, will you play with me?"

Duncan smiled at the little girl while he closed his book. His voice was chipper, as per usual.

"Of course! What do you want to play?"

She looked mischievous.

"Will you play dolls with me?"

He grinned.

"Of course, Sweetheart."

The minutes passed by quickly while Duncan spoke in a high voice, and dressed Only Hearts Club dolls many times over. The two were so engrossed in their play that they didn't hear the knock on the front door, or notice when the visitor let himself in.

To the sunset we go!
To be safe in the celestial glow
Is the perfect paradisal
Scene past my own surmisal.

To the sky!
We take, we fly,
On wings of gold
To the land of old.

Tír Na Nóg calls our names,
My love, it calls our names,
Above the world it calls our names.

My love, take my hand,
Take my trust.
My bonny love, let's leave the land
In the night and golden dust.

The day is bright and welcoming,
I don’t know how I can sleep in,
A new day, a new song to sing,
I laugh and watch the sun peep in.

Hurriedly I dress and fold
and look out on the clear new day,
Yesterday now seems so old,
Our earth has never looked so gay.

I rush out now the world to greet
The dewy grass like jewels and pearls,
New trials I’m prepared to meet,
As the clear blue dawn unfurls.