THE STEM OF MY HAIR

I glowered at the mirror to dress my unkempt hair
With a mild smile veiling my many scars
I thrust my comb into the stems of my hair
And I see its many race against the gray
I almost forgot what love absolutely feels like
I barely remember the sensation of my first embrace.

All that my mother taught me fades like a trodden petal
They are like a frozen memories in the midst of a lonely sea
The prospect of the yesteryears are tossed
Wandering in the fear of the unknown
So much yet undone, lagging in my race against time
And the stems of my hair dread the pending gray.

I didn't choose this fate that inflate the price of destiny
In its cruel claws did my mother left me
The stem of my hair had tasted my tears
The waters of Mara flood against it
Every of its length struggles against the tide
Bent each day against the odds of life.

Pray for me, O Lamb slain before my time
You who wore the cape of my misery
Give to me your garment of righteousness
Rescue me from the deep scary waters
Rebuke the rage of the blustering sea
Stir up your bowels of mercy, plead my cause!

I know not such wrong worthy of these griefs
Save the secret failings against my convictions
The tireless failures of a filthy lonely heart
I have not tasted the fruits forbidden to my fathers
Saddle me not with the price of their blemish
For these stems are vulnerable to the axe of time.

I have fought so hard to keep love burning in my heart
But I'm left with no strength of my own
‘Probably or definitely’ void of unconditional will
May it be that love cross this Jordan with me
May I find in Alice's tent the eyes of the one who is willing
That I may be comforted by the infilling of this vacuum.

I am a seed of Abraham, a pilgrim like unto my fathers
But I have tarried long at this side of the hills
I'm wearied of my journey through this wilderness
My flair had melted in these furnace of afflictions
I have suffered many assaults against my faith
Unutterable assaults against the love I've known.

Be gone O wretched pot that refute royal appetites!
There shall be a glory feast to end my fast
Show forth tongues of unnumbered foes
Mercy is set on the pinnacle of judgement
The guiltless One shall stand for the faltering one
Into my heart shall flow his streams of compassion.

I love the Man of Galilee, O that I see his face!
That I may lay holds on the hem of his garment
Turn now and hold me O Strength of Jacob
Mend these broken stairs in my journey to Canaan
Let not these burdens sink the dreams of Joseph
Let it not break the staff of Jacob.

Anoint these stems that they may burn; a flaming torch
Bestow unto your chosen the Mitre and the Crown
Kindle within my soul the burning lamp of a Watchman
That the imperfections I own be traded for your perfect love
O Spirit between the Cherubim bid me to come upon thy mount
Unto the heights of thy great calling, to the presence of thy glory.

Omotayo Oluwafemi Oni (Tpoet)
5/02/2019_ 3:05am