Daughter From Afar Poem by mona joseph

WHO AM I?
dedicated to my loving father and friend for his sacrifices

a daughter long forgotten
a sister to be envied
a mother who is loved
a friend left behind

who am I?
a singer frustrated by love
a writer whose pen is broken
a lover who lost her memory
a child missing her mother

Who am I
a lonely son without a daddy
a boy lost in the divorce bid
a man with no pride
a father with no child

who am I

a forgotten grandmother
a patient in another home
a preacher with no follower
a servant with no master

who am I
a singer with no lyrics
a slave with no master
a phantom with no opera
a hill and a valley at once

who am I
a mere mortal on a cross
a condemned prisoner
a shepherd with no sheep
a sheep with no sheep pen

who am i? who am I?

II -
when did we become so dead?

The news is on this morning
A man killed his wife and child
A preacher was caught sinning
A child killed his mom and dad

the news is on this morning
a father raped his daughters
a mother killed her unborn child
a servant stole from his master

the news is on this morning
many schools are closing
students dropp out of school
parents gave up the fight

the news is on this morning
the church is closing its door
a man vandalized the church
the priest killed the children

the news is on this morning
society has gone totally mad
protesters are still protesting
children still go to bed hungry
-
III
Let the real preacher stand up!

take a bow and be counted
if you know and love the Lord
if you have uphold the law
if you live by the book of law

Take a bow and be counted
if you love and respect God
if you practice what you teach
if you heart is in what you do

Take a bow and be counted
if you confess Jesus as Lord
if you know and practice truth
if you vow to be faithful to God

Take a bow and be counted
if you are true to your calling
if you're willing to love others
if your life magnifies Christ

IV
WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHILDREN GONE?

I woke up this morning and it quieter than usual
i looked in the bedrooms but no one is there
i called my pastor and he is not there either
where is everybody? i shouted out loud

i ran next door to see my neighbor Malita
i only found her husband crying on the stairs
i asked where is your wife and kids?
He is holding the dog and he said nothing

i called the deacon and his wife Lordimata
No one answered the phone. what is going on?
i asked myself: what is happening dear Lord?
then i remembered the sermon-eschatology

Dear Lord! did you call everyone home?
am i not saved? did you leave me behind?
did you take my family away without me?
oh Lord how can you be so mean? . i did love you

V
You said and I listened

You said you would never leave me nor forsake
you said i am your child and you love me
you said you have a plan for me to succeed
what has happened and why am so lost?

You said you formed me in my mothers' womb
you said you will make my crooked straight
you said you will be with me for the rest of my life
what has happened and why am i so lost

you said you love me with everlasting arms
you said you will prepare a place for me
you said where you are i will be also
what has happened and why am so lost

Response
You said you have repented of all your sins
you said you will obey all my commands
you said you will submit your will to me
why have you changed your mind?

you said i am your God and you are my child
you said you will always love and serve
you promise to make me your number one
why have you changed your mind?

you said i am your Lord and your savior
you said you have been miserable with me
you said you will never run away from me
why have you changed your mind

VI

Time will tell

Time will tell if you really mean what you said
when you came to me crying saying you're sorry
you vowed to follow me and serve me for life'
where are you now and where are the pledges?

time will tell if you really mean what you said
you said you were sincere and you loved me
you vowed to sin no more and serve me
where are you now and where are the pledges

time will tell if you really mean what you said
you asked me to forgive all your sins and i did
you left me to follow your worldly dreams
where are you now and where are the pledges

time will tell if you really mean what you said
you called me Lord and master all the time
while you continue to go against my will
now you come to me crying crocodile tears