In this Life

In this life there are so many things.
Things that distract from other things.
We miss so many things due to things that distract.
Now maybe you think that my speech is directed towards technology and the distractions it brings.
But I speak even of simpler things.
For you hear the ding of a microwave and part of your conversation gets faded.
You suddenly remember that chore that needs to be done, cutting into the time spent together.
Even simpler you see.
Even at night alone in the quiet, solitude your companion.
Even here you will find that the mind wonders.
Following the most subtle of distractions.
Taking our thoughts in a different direction.
For some the distractions found in those quiet moments are positive.
For others there is a battle.
A battle we would be shameful to forget.
Least the battle become our own.

Why Is It

I wonder why is it I wonder!
Why is it? I wonder!
How could it be? I wonder!
When did this happen? I wonder!
Where was it? I wonder!
Is there something more? I wonder!
What did it do? I wonder!
Did something go wrong? I wonder!
Or maybe perfectly right?  I wonder!
I wonder why it is that I wonder about so many things that I take the time to wonder why it is that I wonder!

Strange

Some may find me a little strange.  Just slightly different then the norm.  But please don't forget.  I am just growing into the person I was taught to be.
Many of you that are reading these words contributed much to the person I have become.  While at the same time contributing to the person I am still growing into.
For the part you played, to each one I say Thank You! A strange bird some may find me but to you that know. A beautiful bird I have become although strange I still may be. 

A prayer for changing and strengthening of the heart

Lord please help me to be loving and patient, while also being stern and consistent in my actions and dealings with my family, friends and those I come in contact with on a day to day basis.

I wish

I wish you knew how hard it is for me. To lay these words out for you to see. I fear that you will think I speak as though I am better in some way then you or any other. That is not the case.  I often wonder why it is I have these thoughts inside my head. Just randomly they pop up. My thoughts not even remotely on such a topic. Then all of a sudden something comes into mind that I can not let go of until it is released. At times I even run from the things that I think. It frightens me to say what I apparently must say. But even still eventually it comes out. Now please remember in love I say everything even on the condemnation I wish only to show you the truth so that you will be set free.

I Am Here

Why do you hurt me; when all I did was be there?
Tried to comfort and lift-up; tried to let you see with your own eyes.
Yet somehow; despite all the effort;
despite the roads and bridges, with my own hands I built for you.
Not for me; oh please won't you see.
It was all for you.
My vain attempt to show you.
Kindness, love and the truth.
Yet you beat me with whips.
Thorns you push into my flesh.
This cross I bear.
Don't you realize it is yours?
But despite the constant pain you inflict.
This weight of yours I choose to bear.
Forever!
That is how long I will love you.
Till the end is come.
That is how long I will try to reach you, and bring you near.
~Willow



This evening as I sat down to write. The image I intended to display was much different then the result of my flowing thoughts. I intended to complain, to be upset with the burden I have bore for so many with nothing in return. It hurts, to be honest. Feeling all on your own and forgotten. But just as he always does, a message was sent to me. As I wrote the words to this poem, the pain I feel, the heartache caused from caring so much for those that only seem to push me down, and my desire to be shown a love I wonder if I'll ever know. I realized one very important thing. Although it is hard and at times I want to give up. As you can clearly see from the words recorded by my pen. This burden I feel was not mine first. I am merely walking a path that was laid out before me long ago by the feet of another. And now, even though, this burden I still feel. I know that I am not carrying it alone. For He told me it was true.

As my last comments on this I wish to share my desire with you. I pray that this poem spreads. Like a wild fire, igniting something within each tree that it encounters. I thank any and all that share this with another. And am grateful for the timing of this reminder. I pray that the Lord use these words as this Easter weekend approaches to touch hearts around the world, bringing some closer and bringing new brothers and sisters to him for the first time.

Thanks once again for your support regardless of how large or how small.
Willow Marks

What Is It You Truly Fear?

Why do I disguise what truly lies within?
What has become of this mission I lead?
Are you really that naive?
Believing only what you see?
The depths are unfathomable.
My lips are sealed to what my eyes have witnessed.
Asking only to find the corresponding rhythm to this beat from inside.
Where can it be found?
Not here, Not there.
I've searched most everywhere.
Alas the mystery remains.
Charred embers soon will be all that is to be found.
Disappearing evidence of a hope once held dear.
What is it that you truly fear?

Call Me Crazy, But Maybe That's My Lot

My voice cracks with the repeated warnings.
All along realizing that deaf ears they would fall upon.
This calling I did not choose.
Even still I must profess.
Ridicule if you must.
Nonetheless it is you that is deceived.
Lying to yourself.
Pretending that you don't know the truth.
Living in a world of mist and steam.
Grabbing hold, only of the temporary.
But can't you see.
The veil you put on.
It can be lifted, removed, discarded.
With clear vision, what was hidden will be seen.
I plead, before it is too late.
Despite all your attempts to cover-up, lock away, and deny.
The Truth will always remain.
Waiting for you to come in search of.
Wanting nothing more than to give you clarity.
Nonetheless deaf ears will this too fall upon.
~Willow

Astonishing Discovery

 Introduction

Today I discovered a hidden secret. A buried nothing that my family has been hiding from me for quite an outstanding period of time. I mean seriously how have I lived my whole life not knowing where all of our riches have come from?

Now I know you're thinking just spill it Chappy. But I can't, it's just not that simple. You see this secret has been hidden for some reason that to this point I still find quite perplexing. Who in their right mind keeps such a silly secret and why on earth is it so important to keep this family secret from the rest of world?

Maybe it's time for a little flash back to get this story really going. Now don't forget to close your eyes. Flash backs are much more potent if you use your imagination and really try with all your might to see what the words you are hearing are trying to tell you. So, eyes closed, count down from 10. Ten......Nine.....Eight....Seven.....Six.....Five....Four.....Three.....Two.....One. Aw here it comes, the misty clouds are slowly thinning, and through the haze, what is this.......

Chapter 1

"Leeandra! You are supposed to be helping pick vegetables, not starring at the dirt. Why is it you never seem to be of help in the garden? Just starring, always starring. Yet any other time you're always the first to oblige any request." 

"Oh I'm sorry Wanita. I just get so distracted. Aren't they just the most amazing little creatures you've ever seen?" 

"Silly girl they are nothing but garden pests. There is nothing Spectacular, Grand, Fair or even Plain about ANTS, they are nothing more then a nuisance."

Yep, that's how it started. Way back then with Great Grandma Leeandra and Great Aunt Wanita. No one ever would have guessed that one of these two simple farm girls would stumble upon a secret so unbelievable that no one would believe it. And for a long time no one did. 

You see, everyone knew there was something special about the merchandise that Great Grandma would sell at market. Thing is no one believed her when she would try to tell them what her extra ingredients were. 

FOREVER

Forever will you be one of my soul friends,

No matter how far the distance or the time 

that separates us from the point 

in which our paths intersected,

If only so we could recognize 

the true beauty behind the eyes

of another insightful wanderer.