Stand by My Side

Please don't
Walk away,
Even for 
A moment.
I need you
To stand by 
My side.
Even if you stay 
Silent
For this moment.
I need you
Here.

Time will tell
What truth to this threat
Reveals; until then,
Please don't
Leave me alone.
Please don't 
Abandon me 
To a possible invasion
Of our love.

I grew up 
With people
Who grew silent
In the face of threats.
Scared of what demons
Could be unleashed
In anger, they became mute
When their words
Were the protection I needed.
I grew silent myself, wondering
Where and why
My guardians chose to reside
Instead of beside me.
In their absence,
I was left to words that stung
Like wolves with teeth like daggers.   

You wonder how you may lead.
You wonder if I will give you the chance.
I want to.  
But will you be my guard 
When another may undermine
What we have?
I need you to stand.
Even if
You are silent 

Until God gives you the strength
And words to confront;
Until then I can speak,
But will you stand 
Beside my body so 
He has no chance 
To think he may have a chance?
Treasures are meant
To be protected.
So, will you please 
Take a stand
Beside me?

I know a fire
Brews inside you,
And you fear 
You will cease to contain it.
The grace God has given you
Has been emptied for an enemy.
But could God give you the courage
To stand and pray when you 
Have run out?
Could God give you the heart
For redemption
In the way it was given you?
Is your fleeing 
Because God has been speaking,
Or out of fear?

I know 
Neither of us 
Can do this
Alone.  
In this moment,
I feel surrounded
By pain.
Yet, I know
Even in my tears,
Our Father is surrounding us.
I don't know 
What the answer should be
Or how long we must battle.
What I do know is
We will win
When we are together.