The True Light

"That was the true light, which enlightens every man coming into the world." (John 1:9)

When I looked up the definition of "light" in Merriam-Webster I saw that it is used as a noun, adjective and verb and it means "something that makes vision possible; spiritual illumination; public information; something that enlightens or informs; a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted; a set of principles, standards or opinions".

As a small child, about four or five, I seemed to have this innate knowledge of what was right and wrong and I was very fearful. I can remember thinking (or perhaps knowing) that someone was watching everything I did, thought and said--as if I were on television. I thought I was fearful of doing, thinking or saying something that was against the knowledge I had of what was right. At this age I knew very little about Jesus except that he loved me; and about the age of eight I had this fear of God. I also know there is false light which is darkness and comes from Satan; however it can only enter if I diminish the true light by seeking my will rather that God's will.

Today I realize that the light of Christ is within each of us, good or bad, and guides us into becoming beacons to help others to find his love, joy and mercy. The light of Christ within us is so powerful that nothing we do can completely extinguish the light--there is always a glimmer... always a hope of finding that inner light we had as small children. I also know today God is loving, forgiving and all merciful.

Words of Truth

After I wrote the poem "The Light", I was amazed---where did these words, this wisdom, this proclamation come from...surely not from me...not from my mind? I then realized that they came from my heart (my God conscience) . Even though I was amazed at the words I had written I knew them to be the truth of my inner core...that knowledge I had as a small child...that fear I have had most of my adult life. I began my journey, my search for truth when I was 18 and from reading many, many books, including the Bible, I had never gained such truth as those few words had given me. My whole life took on a new meaning...to share the love the Light had shone upon me...to let the wonder of its aura shine from within me. Several years later that inner light diminished and darkness began to enter into my being...a darkness so great I could not see a shimmer of light. It was the worst time of my life. Why...because of that fear of the power within me--the Light of Christ. You see I had started trying to live my will rather than that of God and the light faded and darkness entered my heart and soul. It was a journey that I had to endure alone; oh God was with me all the time but I had to walk in darkness to find the Light again. However, the Light of Christ, which is within each of us, is like a beacon that guides the ship in the darkness until it finds its way home. Today I am grateful for the words of truth!

"While you have light, believe in the light, that you may become children of the light." (John 12:36)

The Light of My Soul

I am creating this blog to share my poetry. The name of my site, "The Light of My Soul", was inspired by the first poem I share, "The Light", which I wrote some 25 years ago at a turning point in my life in which I realized the full impact of Christ's Light in my life. My hope is that this will be an avenue to continue my thoughts in prose and to share the grace God has given me. I have many loved ones and friends that have brought the Light into my life. I want to thank my loving parents, Melvin and Reba , for their guiding hands and enduring love, and my dear twin sister, Gale, and her beautiful family...the light of her children and the innocence of their eyes are the joys of my life. Most importantly, I wish to thank my loving God for He planted the seed of Light within each of us. I wish to also dedicate this site to my Grandparents, Mama and Papa; my Aunts Roberta, Sara and Nan; my Uncles Tony, Willard, Clyde and Laverne; and my dear friends Shelly and Petey. I have lost them all in this lifetime...with many wondrous memories...their Light continues to shine in mine.

The Light (by Melissa Webb)

Seek the shining brightness
Of the everlasting Light
Once you have found it
The warmth will guide you

Follow the Light
For it shall take care of you
When darkness falls
And loneliness closes in

Share the love the Light
Has shone upon you
For its gracious beauty
May be seen by all

Let the wonder of it's aura
Shine from within you
For the strength of the Light
Shall bring harmony unto all
(Inspired by my dear fried, Petey,
and shared with my nephew,
Joshua at age 5)

His Presence (by Melissa Webb)

I see His presence when morning rises,
the morning dew his tears of gladness.
I hear His voice when birds are singing,
the birds song his words of jubilance.
I pray His love and forgiveness when night has fallen,
the night his time of my reverence.
I feel His love when friends are near,
the friends, his gifts of joyfulness.
(Given to my Mother)

The Redeemer of My Soul
(by Melissa Webb)

There are times during the stillness of night
when I feel my life has truly been a waste.
I know without Your loving grace,
Your beautiful light, I would not rise.

The warmth You give overwhelms me with fear,
fills my heart with everlasting love.
Reminding me I truly owe my life,
my very soul, to You forever.

The mere thought of Your everlasting love
surrounds me with a wonderful joy.
I pray Your greatness will be know by all,
The redeemer of my life, my very soul.

A New Beginning (by Melissa Webb)

Where do we go from here
Is there really a new beginning
One in which we can leave the past behind
Or do we take it along with us
And hope to see its light at last

The questions are many, the answers few
I do not wish to mislead you
Or even attempt to persuade
But I cannot deny being afraid
I may take a path going the wrong way

If you feel you must go alone
I'll not ask you to please stay
Only tell you my hand is always there
If you decide to take hold of it
And help one another along the way

If we do find that you must leave
The tears upon my cheek are of gladness
And the feeling within my heart one of joy
For I will know you are among love
Leaving your love for us, with us

Yes, I will miss your presence
Your smile and the tenderness of your eyes
Striving to seek, follow and shine the light
You so graciously shared with me
Praying that I may also be among love

I Must Say Farewell (by Melissa Webb)

I do not want to abandon you
I do still love and care for you
But I can no longer stand by
Helplessly watching you destroy yourself

It is not so much the hurt you cause
That, I can usually sustain
It is more the not caring I explore
For I care far too much not to see the pain

They say I must accept it as you
But I do not, I cannot
I know there must be a reason
And can even contemplate a few

How do I help you, my friend
Do I stay and pretend not to hurt
Do I snap back at you to no avail
No, dear friend, I must say farewell

I had rather leave you now
When my heart still holds love for you
For I know I could not endure
Losing you--and the love I have for you

Mama and Papa (by Melissa Webb)

I did not understand it then
but when I look back I do
realize just how young I was
when I lost the two of you.

I shall never lose those memories
those wonderful summer days filled
with canning fruit and picking watermelons
sitting under the shade of that big oak tree.

The peaceful nights in the country
early to bed, and of course, early to rise
the morning chill in the old farm house
the loving warmth of the wood stove fire.

How I wish I had not been quite so young
because I never thought to ask you
what made you lives so very happy
yet I was not too young to feel the love.
(written in loving memory of my grandparents)

Silver Threads (by Melissa Webb)

Have you ever seen what keeps us together
When times are rough
And the days are like forever
Do you know what keeps the Light shining
When our hearts are in the dark
Beating in time, keeping the rhyme

Silver threads entwine our love
To hold our friendship together
Silver threads flow from heart to heart

No matter where you are, long and far
I know your presence is here
Standing right by my side
But when I feel your loneliness
And know you are blue
I reach out and send a message of love to you

Through those silver threads entwining our love
Holding our friendship together
Silver threads flow from heart to heart

They have been there from the beginning
They will be there forever
For you see, my friend, there shall never be an end
To the silver threads that entwine our love
And hold our friendship together
Silver threads that flow from heart to heart

Silver threads entwine our love
To hold our friendship together
Silver threads forever flow from heart to heart.

The strength of their endurance
Is like a rock of stone
Yet gentle as the petal of a rose
The depth of their caring
Longer than a winding road
Much greater than a heavy load

Silver threads entwine our love
To hold our friendship together
Silver threads forever flow from heart to heart.
(Given to my dear friend Shelly)

Redbird (by Melissa Webb)

Yesterday I saw a Redbird
he was so happy and free,
flying low for all to see
his graceful beauty and dignity.

I remember how you loved
everyone so individually and
how some never knew
it was you warming their heart.

I thought of your contentness
now that you have gone home,
how happy you must feel and
the happiness you gave to us.

I saw him again flying low,
his graceful beauty and dignity,
and remembered you are still here
flying low watching over us.
(written in loving memory of Shelly)

My Heart (by Melissa Webb)

My feelings of appreciation are greater
than I shall ever be able to express.

You held my hand, whispered in my ear,
leading me toward eventually forgiving
and finding myself once again.

My heart again feels the warmth of love
When I had thought it had completely stopped beating.
(Given to my dear friend Petey)

Who Are You (by Melissa Webb)

Who are you, where have you been?
Are you happy, do you love everyone?
Do you ever cry, want to run and hide?
Will I ever know you and who you are?

These are the answers I am searching for
from the lady with the warm glow in her heart.
She gets very close to me, warming me all over,
though I can never seem to get close to her.

She gives her love so free and graciously,
smiling and shining her light till all is well.
Never asking for more than a sincere thank you,
but often receiving so very less.

The Gift (by Melissa Webb)

This gift does not portray
The fragileness of its pages
Nor the weariness of its bound
But the caring nurture it has received
To endure the friendship, love and
Memories of its past.

Given to you today, a portrayal
Of the friendship and love I have for you
Which is strong and
everlastingly within hands reach
So as to endure the many
memories of our tomorrow.
(Given to my dear friend Petey)

Jasmine (by Melissa Webb)

Oh how I do love your intensity so
The beautiful deepness of your eyes
Your frisky playful moods and
The moments when you seem miles away

I admire your determined independence and
The stormy nights when you are right by my side
I adore you gracefulness and
Your never ending expressions of feeling

I respect your desire for a two-way relationship
and your preciseness in seeing that it is
And I will do everything in my power
To see that love does go both ways

For that is the only way to perfect love
And you, my dear, deserve nothing less
For without you, my dear sweet Jasmine,
I know not what I would do with this love of mine
(written to my dog, Jasmine)

Helpless As I (by Melissa Webb)

It hurts me so to see you so sad
when once you were so very happy.
To remember the sparkle your eyes once had...
the absence now truly saddens me.

Cannot I give you more than a moment
of happiness when you deserve so much more.
Will ever I return the sparkling glint
and warm your heart as you have mine.

Have you ever felt as helpless as I...
wanting to, but not knowing how
To return real joy and happiness
to someone you love so much.

Someone who you know loves you so dearly
their life they would give for you.
Someone that you know not how
to give love back to.

Amy (by Melissa Webb)

Your contentness is so serene
Your eyes so very bright
Your smile so full of happiness
Your life so very, very precious.

Stay with us, dear sweet Amy
Share your love with all of us
But most sincerely, little Amy,
Allow all us us to share our love with you.

The love you have given to us
Is so pure and natural
As the twinkle in your eyes
And the smile in your heart.

Live long, dear sweet Amy,
A life of much happiness
filled with the love of you and
The precious love for you.
(written for my friend Janice's
daughter when she was a few
months old...she is now 26)

Refreshing (by Melissa Webb)

Refreshing you say
Is the point of view seen with these eyes
Oh how I wish there were truth
In those careful words you speak

How I wish it were new and innovating
Something I could hold on to
As I try to survive this future I seek
My vision is not new or refreshing

Granted in this situation I am a newborn
Inexperienced in these trials and tribulations
You have endured and maybe even survived
I do see you desperately trying to

Unfortunately, this is merely another avenue for me
To share a love I see as free and real
The opening of a new door for a very old love
That wants to touch your heart with its honesty

Refreshing, no, not really
But I will go on to another way
Gently holding my love as I enter a new door
Crying silently for those of you closing the last door

The doors become much easier to open
It is closing them that I find impossible
Especially when I see what is left locked inside
Weeping quietly to be seen on the outside

Face to Face (by Melissa Webb)

There you stand face to face
Strong and brave as a crippled child's brace
Afraid to move an inch without your crutch
Yet unable to move with your heart holding it

Fearful of crawling to the brightness ahead
Unsure of the struggle you will have
As you take each and every step along the way
trembling of the pain you may perhaps feel

Would not it be easier
To reach out and touch the others hand
And help one another along the way
If perhaps one of you may fall

Had you not rather share the pain
Than feel the lonely coldness
Of the poor crippled child's brace
As you stand there face to face

Who Am I (by Melissa Webb)

Who am I
What is the meaning if my life
Will my Search ever end
Or is it only something to keep me thriving
I hope not
Desperately I need my dream
Wherever it may be

There are many things
I dislike about myself
The thoughts I should never have
Ones that are painful
Because they hurt someone else
I shut them out to no avail
They seem to come from the darkness

Feelings I have that others cannot see
They hurt with tenderness
The simplicity touches my heart
Memories I shall not impart
Souveneirs never to be untreasured
Trinkets of love clutter my thoughts
And are seldom found

Visions of the Past (by Melissa Webb)

Visions reflecting from the waters of the past
bring memories that never fade away.
Winters were so long and summers fast
feelings happy, bright, sad and gray.

There won't be any goodbye tears or tight words
or a heart's laugh it off laughter.
Nor will there be sadness or hurt
for you meant much more, even after.

Days and nights, the together time,
the silent talks and evening records
Shared warmly with coffee and wine;
little things to numerous for words.

Thank you seems small, but appropriate.
Thank you for giving and for taking.

Is It Love (by Melissa Webb)

What is this feeling I cannot express
Is it fear, perhaps truth, or is it love
I suspect it is one consisting of all
One so unique that my head spins
And my heart aches

The beginning was so very innocent
Until the growth was overwhelming
It is good, very good, but is it shared
I dare not seek the answer for the fear

The moments were quiet but so full
Of meaning and memory they spoke aloud
The challenge together scared us both apart
But the reuniting in itself was perhaps truth

The togetherness day and night was too severe
Perhaps the fear and truth had emerged
To entwine the silence, but the emotion
Was not quiet and it was maybe love

Entwined in closeness, hearts beating as one
An eternity has passed in quiet moments
Is it fear, perhaps truth, or maybe love
The entire experience is an expression of feeling

Good Intentions (by Melissa Webb)

To all of you that say "I care'
And those of you that never dare
I do appreciate it...but
Please pardon me if I do not raise a hair
Your good intentions are extremely thoughtful
And I really do not mean to be ungrateful
But...somehow, you see, sometimes
they just are not enough.

Speak Out (by Melissa )

Speak out, speak out
Someone is listening!
Speak out, speak out
Someone will hear!

Don't give up, someone does care
Let it out, someone will lend you a hand
Tell them you are like a thread that is bare
Someone will come...not bury his head in the sand

Speak out, speak out
Someone is listening!
Speak out, speak out
Someone will hear!

They will come, hands outstretched
They will hear, nodding their heads
Give them another chance to understand
Someone will care, and open out his hand

Speak out, speak out
Someone is listening...
Speak out, speak out
Someone will hear...

See You By Three
(by Melissa Webb)

I'll see you by three
If i get straight, and
Find that long and narrow
Path to righteousness
Predicated upon us by
The churches of the land

If I don't see you by three
I'll most likely be late
Christ, Jesus, let's hope
Its not too late before
We convince our brothers
That our hearts are His temple

My Gentle Love (by Melissa Webb)

It seems to happen every time
I find someone I want to love
Please do not feel frightened
It is only me, my sad, gentle love

I am not lost, nor even found
Can you not see our love dying
I did not mean to scare you away
It is only my gentle love you see crying

Please just let me be gentle
Let me rejoice in my loves
Ache in my hurts and pains
I promise never to hurt you, only to love you

I have tried to hide my gentle love
To mask it with a harsh heart
But when I do, do you not know
I cannot feel you loving me

Will Ever I
(by Melissa Webb)

When shall the feeling ever return
The one I still remember as ravishing
Even though its memory is still so precious

Has it gone forever into the midnight darkness
Only to be seen in daydream visions
Will ever I feel once again
The trembling joy once felt with you

Will ever I have the contentment after
That I always had with you
Or will I forevermore be seeking
What was only meant to be with you

Will ever I understand and believe
What we had is forever meant to to
Or will I continue to pretend
I never feel the love you have for me

The Bending Trees (by Melissa Webb)

The trees are bending with the wind
My heart is breaking in the end
As the sun sets low one more time
My love is gone, it does not shine

I've said it a hundred times before
But here I am again closing that door
Shutting out those loving memories
Trying not to see those bending trees

The sun is beaming in the morning
My heart is beating in the light
The memories are warming me again
My love has returned for one more night

Though I've said it a hundred times before
Here I am again opening that door
Seeing those loving memories
Crying for those bending trees once more

Yes here I am opening that door again
Welcoming those loving memories
And crying for those bending trees
Breaking my heart again

A Great Lacking (by Melissa Webb)

I know there is a great lacking of love within me
I also know I shall never receive that love
From taking, but from giving love shall be mine

The love I am lacking is one I must find
From within myself rather than from someone
It is the feeling of giving of myself to another

The feeling of love I have is so abundant
For that reason I have never been able
To completely release and give my love

My love is so great that it rushes out
In what is suppose to be gentle compassion
But is almost always seen as a vicious passion

So when I try to give my love it ends
In hurting me or another and I am
So afraid I will always feel this great lacking

Aches and Pains (by Melissa Webb)

I want to share with you
Not necessarily my aches and pains
But my thoughts and feelings, which
However, may be the same

I have listened to, heard and felt them
So consistently, to their meanings
I am now numb and unaware, therefore
I do need to share with you my aches and pains

I know they are present and necessary
And do not wish for you to make the go away
But to share with me my thoughts and feelings
So as to understand my aches and pains

You see, I must have someone to share
My thoughts and feelings with because
Alone I only feel their aches and pains
and are so very much afraid of them

Memories (by Melissa Webb)

Memories...
The sweet glances of Life's
Precious moments--happy and sad
Living the past through rose-colored glass

Dwelling on a love once so real and true
Times spent sharing with a friend
In the need to express feelings

During the cherished peers
A great tingle of love, excitement, and
Gratitude flow through our bodies

Memories...
Bring so much beauty to our
Life's precious moments of the past...
Pity they are not felt in the present

Waters of the Past (by Melissa Webb)

Visions reflecting from the waters of the past
Bringing memorie that never fade away
winters were long and summers fast
Feelings happy, bright, sad and gray

Acquaintances were many, friends few
Love was sincere, but far between
Like the setting sun and morning dew
Relationships are over but forever seen

Knowledge was gained, great and vast
Experience was the key
Life is like a performing cast
And eyes were opened in order to see

Visions...
Reflecting from the waters of the past

Life is Today (by Melissa Webb)

Life is today
Today is a time of love
Love is free...and real

Sitting in the shade
Of a weeping willow tree
On a hot summer afternoon,
Walking on the beach
With and autumn sunset,
Or running through a field
Of tall grass in the spring
with that special someone
Is not love...but fantasy

Life is today
Today is a time of love
Love is free...and real