So this was my very first spoken word poem attempt. My church held a speech contest among the congregations in Southern California and the winner had the opportunity to speak at the high school recognition night reception. I know this is another religion poem, but I hope you all enjoy. I found it hard to dig up the pure, raw emotion that helps a spoken word poem find meaning. So to all the poets and spoken word lyricists out there, I give you props. It’s hard exposing words that tend to hide deep inside us, yet alone imposing those exact words upon total strangers. I know the topic of religion is even more risky to convey because it’s a topic that sometimes isn’t ready to be shared socially. But again, I hope you enjoy and just appreciate the thoughts and expressions of a young dreamer.
2009 High School Graduate Recognition Night Speech Contest Winner
The path is narrow, the point is turning
“Knowledge” speaks out, but faith is learning
Like “Eastern Light” it travels burning
Races onward, forever yearning
To meet the Lord, Oh Find me worthy
This is my hope, my love, my journey
Rise from the clenches of evil, transgression and sin
From water, my spirit and mind is cleansed once again
Emerging from this pool with regained innocence
Light breaking from a world of darkness
We have encountered the true enlightenment
But why are we here?
Competition is endless, never ceasing to recognize
Our broken backs by the weight to prioritize, specialize and exercise
Held down by the stresses of academic classes, standardized tests & G.P. averages
these expectations hunt us relentless like savages
Peer pressure and loss of self control provide no aid
Paid with blood, sweat and tears just trying to make that grade
How are we expected to overcome all these temptations?
When temptations attack us with no limitations
Relations with mother, father, sister, brother
Prevailing bonds that were supposed to keep us together
Are sometimes broken, demolished, to pieces they’re severed
Towered by nonsensical misconception
Affected by lack of communication and conflicted perceptions
We experience loneliness and fear from deep isolation
Densely weakened by corrupt demoralization
Longing for air but suffocated by disorientation
We have no choice but to question our motivation
Why are we here?
But then everything disappears…
Like the calming sun after the raging storm, it becomes clear
After all the lies, battles, secrets and betrayals
We see the love and compassion of GOD always prevails
We are suddenly uplifted by the sounds of a heavenly symphony
Then you look around and everything is what it seems to be
The sound of beautiful music soaring gracefully
Flows though the air as the choir sings peacefully
The answers to life’s questions in these hymns, you can hear it
Accompanied by the healing comfort and the power of the Holy Spirit
Each angelic voice arises and touches the sky, carrying you thru the clouds
Free from chaos, in humble prayer your head is now bowed
And he hovers beside you
He is seeing you through
He is seeing through you, your heart and your needs
Asking for help to choose the right deeds:
The need to cease a forbidden romance
The need to be granted that second chance
The need to fulfill one’s duty and to worship him
And so I pray, with thoughts of those who went before me
The Bible speaks the path I must take through his people’s stories:
Like Moses parted the ocean, let me part the light from the dark
Help me build my faith so strong like how Noah built the ark
To find truth like the ascending angel stayed doubtless in his search
A solid foundation, like Christ’s rock, upon which he built his church
No matter what we ALL encounter trials b/c our battles remain the same
It is the devil that hunts for you like how a hunter hunts for game
No matter how rough and wicked he makes this world to be
It is our faith that guides us through his savagery
Only with God’s help we can succeed
In living in this world, we must proceed
To rely on what he can do because he is the source of all things
He’ll uplift you from problems, you’ll think you’ve got wings
Growing tired and weary he is our adrenalin run
The Lord and our God represents the morning sun
Shining down in darkness of the land
We all hope to still be the grain of sand in God’s hand
Letting not one thing hinder our pace
Nothing else matters than to finish our race
B/c the path is narrow, the point is turning
Our “knowledge” speaks out, but our faith is learning
Races onward, forever yearning
This is OUR hope, OUR love, OUR journey
The day of the Lord is upon us, its near
Until then let’s remember
This is why we are here
NIKKI SHERI 