City of Despair



The life I lead looks bleak from where I stand,

Grey walls rise up, I’m rushing forward fast.

No hope I have of any change ahead.

The lifeless eyes of empty faces stare;

Am I alone? Are people without hope

Like me? The caring smiles I used to see

Are slowly disappearing from my sight

Where did they go? Will they come back to me?

I see the darkness rise before my face.

The tunnel waits, a murky death - so deep,

Unknown and sad - of my abiding hope.

But look up high toward heaven’s watching eyes

Between the dim asylums built so high

By me, my hands alone in great despair.

So past my dingy tears a ray of hope

I see burst through. Anticipation great,

I soar so high on mighty eagles’ wings

I leave behind despondency, despair,

To seize the hand of Christ, my saving grace.

O joy! My heart is filled with exultation.

The glad, triumphant laugh, elated, leaps

Unasked, yet wanted, wished-for, from my lips.

My circumstances haven’t changed, I know,

My focus looks up past the dirty grey

To gaze upon the King of Glory above

Who fills the sky that looked so small, before.

But now the dingy city fades from view

And all I see is Him who died for me.

~ Tessa