AS I STAND IN THE MIRROR…I’M OPTIMISTIC,
EVEN THOUGH I SEE A MONSTER STARING BACK AT ME.
EVERY DAY…I SAVOR SMALL VICTORIES,
AS THE MONSTER IN ME…CONTINUOUSLY STRUGGLES TO GET FREE.

THERE ARE TIMES…I HAVE HOPE,
I WILL WIN…AND I CAN KEEP THE MONSTER AT BAY.
THEN THERE ARE TIMES…ALL HOPE IS LOST,
AND I CAN SEE A MONSTER IN MY ACTIONS & EVERYTHING I SAY.

THEN…THOSE SMALL VICTORIES,
ARE SUBJECT TO QUESTIONS & CONSTANT SCRUTINY.
AND THE PROGRESS I’VE MADE AS A MAN,
DOESN’T SEE AS PROMISING AS I’D HOPE IT WOULD BE.

IN TURN…I REGRESS,
WONDERING IF THIS STRUGGLE IS THE PRICE I PAY.
IF THE SECRETS I KEEP…ARE THERE TO TAUNT ME,
WATCHING AS MY BLESSINGS ARE ALL STRIPPED AWAY.

THEN I REMEMBER…IF I SEEK IT,
ABSOLUTION IS WITHIN MY GRASP.
THE LORD SAID HE WOULD BE THERE FOR ME,
HIS PROTECTION IS WITHIN MY REACH…ALL I HAVE TO DO IS
ASK.

SUBMIT TO HIM & WATCH MY TURMOIL,
GIVE WAY TO PEACE & SERENITY.
SOMETIMES…THOSE SCRIPTURES SEEM LIKE FAIRYTALES,
SUCH ASPIRATIONS…WERE NEVER MEANT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.

PERHAPS…IT’S MY FATE,
TO BURN AS MY FATHER BURNED BEFORE ME.
MAYBE…JUST MAYBE,
MY GOOD INTENTIONS ARE THE KEY.

BECAUSE I WANT MORE,
BECAUSE I ASPIRE TO BE BETTER…I CAN STILL BE SAVED.
ARMED WITH THE WEAPONS FORGED BY LOVE,
TO BECOME THE MAN…MY MOTHER RAISED.

HOWEVER YOU LOOK AT IT…HEAVEN…OR…HELL,
I’M ON MY WAY SOMEWHERE.
HEAVENLY FATHER…IF YOU’RE LISTENING,
NOW IS THE TIME…TO SHOW ME YOU CARE…