All I Ask Of Thee (A Pact With God) Poem by Maurice Harris

A fate worse than death-that's what this has been to me;
When, I wonder, will I begin to see
The fruits of both my faith and its persistence? !
Ironically, tragedy taught me strength-its insistence
That only those who possess it shall prevail;
When I have needed same, it has been there, without fail-
Trust me, I have needed much, to be drawn,
Just to get to the next day, when I thought all hope was gone.
'That which does not kill you, makes you stronger'-
Indeed, yet, how very much longer
May I depend upon my strength and fortitude! ?
When will faith and a positive attitude
Be enough to overcome nepotism and deceit-
Enough to bring about iniquity's inglorious defeat! ?

Was my death a means to foreshadow, or a new beginning-
Was this a means to mark the day, when I start winning?
The reason is not very clear to me,
It's a enigmatice miracle that I am still here, to be
A voice for those unable to speak, -
Strength, for those who may be too meak!
Whatever the purpose for which I was spared,
I may never know-only that You cared
Enough about me, to allow me this higher purpose;
Now, I must prove that I deserve this
Empyrean proffer, of a life, wholly-renewed;
It all starts with my positive attitude,
Coupled with knowledge of my life's importance,
As well as my righteousness and its adamance;
God's purpose for me, I slowly learn;
Deservedness of this new-life gift, I slowly earn.
'Heavenly Father, I am ever-obliged and humbled
For the second chance You have given-though I have stumbled.
Only You know I deserve this second chance, most rare-
My recompense to You for same-my soul, lain bare,
The truth of my heart, and the devotion of my mind-
All duteous, in pursuit of that for which You left me behind;
All I ask of Thee is that You continue to love, protect, and guide me,
Remain where You have always been my whole life-beside me! '

-Maurice Harris,13 March 2011