November 5, 2015

Two Poems By Elizabeth Brooks: "Full Circle", "Somehow"


Elizabeth Brooks resides in Tampa, Florida. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago.  A lover of life, family, friends, a good book,  lots of laughter and continues to grow and accept many challenges. Elizabeth has currently been giving poetry reading live in Tampa. She is a librarian by profession and a part-time reference librarian at Saint Leo University, St. Leo Florida.




Full Circle


Father God, nothing is hidden from You!
You know my brokenness, my pain and my foolishness.
Still You have blessed me with beautiful gifts.
I was a child wrapped up in a whirlwind,
ventured into the unknown,
outmatched, outsmarted, outwitted.


Now, adorned with ex- husbands and enough lovers, tossed aside
to recognize, the archer was an impostor.
He had a deceptive bow, he couldn't shoot an arrow.
I know now, that wasn't Cupid - then -
it had to be me, Gaye's music in me
in my head, groovin' to "Sexual Healing."


Marvin, you promised carnal pleasure,
but it was all unquenched fire,
what's left is the remnant of a bitter root
embedded within. Unaware of the truth,
in search of intimacy, I felt my passion
build then wane again, unfulfilled.


Dissatisfied, bored disillusioned! For me real love was elusive,
But I have a joyful spirit  and a joyous heart
It is my ground of being, where I come from; a place which
glows and blooms; where an eagle can renew its wings,
so I pressed on; hungering for something different,
constantly growing, stretching forward –searching.


And He waited. Arms outstretched. He knew I would come.
I'm embraced,  redeemed not condemned.
Drenched in true love, now my thirst is finally quenched
by my master, the fountain of the living waters.
I'm the woman at Jacob’s well. I am overwhelmed.
I always wanted to be the way He designed me.
To be free, Thank you Lord!  Thank You, Lord! Jesus!




Somehow   


It was not war
that allowed me
to discover
that life is filled
with enormous blessings
and opportunities


It was not a riot
that inspired me
to search beyond
my fears
and inadequacies


It was not rage
that fanned the burning
flame inside of me
to insist on love and
absolute beauty


Somehow
it was -You
You became
the source of
my power
it was You
who ignited my hunger.


~Elizabeth Brooks

 








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