The 7th Gate

The 7th Gate

She ran away as I tried to stop her.

Yelled she was entering the 7th gate.

I yelled “No!” as I felt great fear.

She doesn’t know what that will take.

 

It could take her soul, and maybe more.

She didn’t know what she was headed for.

Before I could stop her she was out the door.

I grabbed my stuff & ran, though I was sore.

 

End time studies led us to the final gate.

I know she wanted to save the world.

But, it could cause a totally different fate.

I ran as my thoughts were in a swirl.

 

So many possibilities lay ahead.

It takes time to decide the best route.

I know she didn’t want to end up dead.

She needs to find out what it’s about.

 

She was head strong from birth.

Always wanting to forge ahead.

Not considering the real worth.

Always, just full speed ahead

 

I got to the ruins where the gate is.

I looked around and didn’t see her

The gate, slightly opened, is where she is.

I entered quietly.  Nervous for sure.

 

It was dark so I used my light.

I made sure the gate didn’t close.

The tunnel sloped down out of sight.

On the walls was some type of mold.

 

After quite a distance, there was a door.

The inscription translated ‘past sins’.

Should I go in or look some more?

Slowly, I opened the door & went in.

 

It was like a half circle theater inside.

With benches of stone facing a wall.

I was scared, though I kept it in stride.

I had a strong urge to sit facing the wall.

 

Immediately, as I sat,  the wall lit up .

I was shown every one of my sins.

From earliest memory. All the stuff.

I was so ashamed. Where to begin.

 

I fell on my face & pleaded for forgiveness.

A message then appeared on the wall.

Go down the hall for forgiveness.

I was out of there. I didn’t stall.

 

Further down the hall was another door.

I opened the door and I peeked in.

There was a very bright light above the floor.

The light covered a pulpit. I saw the book then.

 

The Bible, with words heighted in gold.

It lay open . The light coming from within.

I read the highlighted scripture & was told.

The blood of the lamb washed away my sin.

 

I fell on my knees praising God and Jesus.

Accepting the Lord as my God and savior.

I felt the greatest peace from Jesus.

totally humbled was my behavior.

 

I looked around and found my daughter.

On her face in utter adoration

I went to her, like a good father.

Suddenly, we were  back from vacation.

 

We were home sitting on the floor.

We were both looking around in disbelief.

What happened never happened before.

But, we both knew we were God’s to keep.

 

We returned to the ruins to look for the gate.

There was nothing there. The wall was blank.

Were we even in  the 7th gate?

7 was perfection. We kneeled & gave thanks.

 

Maybe we went to the Twilight Zone?

Maybe it was a mass hallucination.

But, we both knew it in our bones.

We had found the way to salvation.———-R. W. Johnson—–(2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes O.K. Hurts

    Sometimes O.K. Hurts

Love can hurt, —–they say.

It can also hurt to say,  o.k.

Things started out like a wild wind.

Left me hoping it would never end.

I felt I was in the eye of a hurricane.

Things would never be the same.

A wild ride through ‘Lover’s Lane.’

Love was falling,  just like rain.

There were puffs of rainbow mist.

Electric shocks from just a kiss.

Star dust, fairy dust, mistletoe & hugs.

Romping through the ‘dreamland’ suds.

You and me, sailing off to eternity.

Returning each morning for our tea.

Excitement around every curve.

Making new memories,  as it occurred.

It was new and different every day.

So many games. So much to play.

It was like a dreamland walk.

Until it came to the place to talk.

It ended when you went your way.

All I could do was say—– o.k.——————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

Saved By An Angel

      Saved By An Angel

The day was just like any old day

as I went into town on my merry way.

I went to the bank to make a deposit.

It was money I saved & had stashed in my closet.

I was in line waiting for a teller.

Then the man in front pushed another feller.

He said ”All down. This is a stick up.”

A man in back said ”You heard him. What’s the hold up?”

Everyone hit the floor and laid face down.

The teller was looking at them with a frown.

“Put all the money in these sacks.”

“Unless you want a bullet coming out your back.”

The teller scrambled. Shaking a lot, he did as told.

Then the drama started to unfold.

A teenager got to his feet.

“Unless you want to die you better find your seat.”

“My mother is VERY sick.” the kid said.

“I need to make a withdrawal or she will be dead.”

“Sorry about that kid, but this money is mine.”

“It probably would be any other time.”

“But, today the Lord told me that’s not going to be.”

“He said you will give me the money that belongs to me.”

“Kid, you’re brave, but, also crazy.”

“Sit down now. Your bravado hasn’t fazed me.”

The kid moved to block the bandit’s retreat.

Two guns were raised for the kid to meet.

Meanwhile, the bank manager pushed the silent alarm.

The button was on the floor, right by his arm.

“Last warning kid. Get out of the way.”

“The Lord will protect me this very day.”

Both bandits tried to fire at his head.

Both guns jammed, just like the kid said.

Then sirens were heard getting louder.

The bandits dropped their loot and took a powder.

Police caught them before they had gotten far.

They didn’t even make it to their car.

The police went into the bank to get the facts.

They saw the money still in the sacks.

Bank people counted and some missing was found.

Then a teller found the kids withdrawal slip on the ground.

Made out to the same exact amount.

They called the mother and made another count.

The mother said ”I don’t have a son.”

Then she saw the money . It was real, not for fun.

“I was too sick to make a withdrawal.”

“Who could have done this after all?”

The bank was amazed because the kid had disappeared.

Most who were there thought it was really weird.

But, I knew it had to be an angel that day.

He stopped the robbers from making their play.

He saved the sick mother’s life.

Her faith in God gave her strength to fight.

——————————————————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

A Knight’s Tale

    A Knight’s Tale

A long, long time ago.

Or, so I’ve been told.

In days of old.

When knights were bold.

There lived a serf named ‘Pantsedalot.’

I’ll tell you how that name he got.

It was because he was pantsed a lot.

Sometimes he would pants himself.

As he ran around trying to help.

Down his pants would fall.

Then he would begin to bawl.

One day at a jousting match.

The serf was serving the days catch.

Fresh fish cooked just right.

Served to nobles as they watched the fight.

Someone ‘pantsed’ him as he went by.

As he fell the fish did fly.

Right into the kings lap.

There it landed with a smack.

The king was madder than hell.

He looked over from where it fell.

There was the serf tangled in his pants.

The king flew into one of his rants.

“Grab that serf and bring him here!!”

The serf turned white & trembled with fear.

“For doing such a graceful thing

I will make you a knight” said the king.

He raised his sword and touched the surf’s shoulders.

He said “I name thee ‘Sir Pantsedalot’,  The Bolder.”

Everyone roared with laughter and mirth.

The poor serf felt lower than dirt.

Now that he was a knight he was expected to fight.

He didn’t even know how to fly a kite.

He felt for sure his days were numbered.

About the results of this everyone wondered.

The serf was given armor , a shield, and a sword.

The king said ‘Great will be your reward.”

“Should you defeat ‘the Black knight’ today.

To you, I will give my daughter away.”

The serf secretly had a crush on her for years.

Everyone watching was giving him cheers.

Everyone watched as the battle started.

The Black Knight was acting half hearted.

They circled each other for awhile.

The serf made a couple of swings with no style.

The Black Knight just laughed at him.

He said “It is time for this charade to end.”

He took a mighty swing at the ‘new’ knight.

The serf jumped back with all his might.

The Black knight charged forward fast.

Then he tripped on the serf’s fallen armored ass.

the serf’s armor pants had slipped to the ground.

This saving his life as he looked around.

He jumped up and put his sword on the neck

of The Black Knight, who froze, his crotch wet.

“Surrender or die” yelled the serf.

The Black knight surrendered all to the serf.

The king was shocked and his daughter was happy.

The marriage took place and the people were happy.

So goes the story of ‘Sir Pantsedalot.’

The bravest knight who ever fought.

—————————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

Charlie’s Chick

      Charlie’s Chick

He hit me with his best punch.

Causing me to toss up my lunch.

Just because I whistled at his girl.

The way she smiled gave me a thrill.

I guess it all was worth the pain.

Even though that may sound lame.

I think I have a chance with his girl.

Why? Because she gives me a thrill.

But, it’s going to take some time.

A whole lot of precious time.

it’s going to take patience child.

I can’t go about this like I was wild.

To do it, to do it, to do it right.

I don’t want to have another fight.

A hello here. A note passed there.

Winking at her almost anywhere.

Always being around to help out.

Especially if her boyfriend’s not about.

In the end she’ll be more than a friend.

I can’t say the same about him.

If you want it with all your hart

you have to never give up your part.

The part of someone who admires her.

Someone who more than desires her.

Cherish is a word I use to describe.

All the feelings I have for her inside.

Nothing is worse than the curse.

The curse of loving Charlie’s girl.

The girl who gives me a thrill.

Charlie’s chick. That’s got to be good!!——R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

The Soldier

The Soldier

A  snow storm was raging outside the cabin.

She heard something like scraping at the door.

She did not want to let something bad in.

Yet, she knew, she could do no more.

She opened the door and a man fell in.

It was a soldier, covered with snow & ice.

He said “I could have been enemy then.”

She said “No, cause you knocked nice.”

Puzzled, He got up & brushed off the snow.

He was a soldier, trained from the womb.

War and killing was his only goal.

“I am here to protect you from the enemy doom.”

“Are you living here alone?,” he shivered.

“Yes,” she said. “My husband died long ago.”

“This war could last the rest of winter.”

“I may be here that long before I go.”

“You are welcome to stay. Do you need food?”

“I haven’t eaten in a day or so.”

She busied herself preparing some food.

He barred the door. No one would go.

“Why do you live way out here all alone?”

“My husband was a trapper. I stayed on.”

“He was killed in an avalanche.”

“I stayed  here after he was gone.”

“How do you live in this circumstance?”

“I trap too. Sell the furs in the fall.”

“It gets lonely at times, but I love it here.”

Then they heard a noise outside. A call.

They both knew the enemy was near.

A bang on the door & the soldier fired .

They heard a thump on the door outside.

A moan was heard like someone was tired.

The woman went to look outside.

The soldier said “NO.” He indicated silence.

No other sound was heard outside.

The woman opened the door in defiance.

An enemy soldier laid there wounded.

The woman grabbed him & drug him in.

The soldier went to shoot him

The woman stopped him. “This is sin.”

“I am a soldier. it is my duty.”

“He is wounded. I will help him.”

“You cannot aide the enemy.” he said.

“I will help anyone hurt in my home.”

The soldier went to sit on the bed.

She dressed his wounds then he moaned.

“Why are you helping me?” he said.

“We are all equal under God” she stated.

“Love your enemy as yourself.”

Both soldiers were shocked at such statements.

She lifted the wounded soldier into bed herself.

The soldier kept fading in & out of consciousness.

the other soldier said “I think he’s dying.”

She said “He stopped bleeding. He was found with this.”

She held up a cross on a chain. She was crying.

“I don’t understand. What’s that mean?”

She explained the cross and what it meant.

“ I have never heard this. It could cause a scene.”

“If soldiers followed such rules, they would recant.”

“Their pledge to be a soldier would be useless.”

“Listen to the Holy Spirit as it speaks to you”

The soldier squirmed. His cause felt fruitless.

In a few days the wounded soldier died.

Before dying, he asked for forgiveness from God.

The soldier was shocked. “What?”, he cried.

She said “He made peace with his God”

They buried him with rocks and snow.

The woman said a prayer over him.

The soldier was confused. He wanted to know.

She explained the principle of sin.

For a few months she gave him Bible lessons.

He rebelled at first, then something happened.

As the Holy Spirit convicted his heart during sessions,

he began to see the truth. And he confessed bad sins.

He knelt and asked for forgiveness.

He was converted. Jesus was his Lord now.

“What will you do now?” she asked with firmness.

“I will resign my position & follow the Lord somehow.”

As he left in the spring, he said “I will see you again soon.”

In the fall he returned to her.

He took her in his arms & her heart swooned.

He was a new soldier now. That was sure.

A soldier in God’s army saving souls

He would fight side by side with her.

God and her, wherever he goes.

————————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2013).

 

 

 

Punk Skunk Left A Stink

      Punk Skunk Left A Stink

Bucky the beaver was a good old guy.

He worked hard. Gave it his best try.

He thought it was what he should do.

Till he met Punk Skunk passing through.

Punk asked him what he was doing?

Bucky said “Building a dam”, while he was chewing.

Punk said “That’s Core of Engineers job”

“Who is that?” said Bucky, looking odd.

“Government workers” Punk said.

“We build dams till we are dead”

“Punk said “That makes no sense.”

“Government will build it. You collect rent.”

“That sounds great.” said Bucky.

“I guess meeting you was lucky.”

“How do I set it up?” Bucky said.

“It is easy.” Punk quickly said.

Punk laid it all out for Bucky.

Soon Bucky was feeling lucky.

He was collecting welfare & food stamps.

Core of Engineers were building ramps.

They were going to build a huge dam.

Bucky was living high off Uncle Sam.

Then came audits, taxes, and fines.

Before long Bucky was doing time.

Bucky thought he should have known.

Punk Skunk’s smell should have shown

him something stunk in the woodpile.

Now he will be jailed for quite awhile.——-R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

 

A Bird’s Life

A Bird’s Life

Where do you go little bird?

When it snows.—–When it snows.

When this world turns to sleep.

Do you know?—–Do you know?

 

Is there something in the wind

that breathes a chill in your heart

that says it’s autumn’s end?

Does this bring life to your wings?

 

Where is the sun in the night?

Is it cold?—–Is it cold?

Do you feel left behind?

Alone and old?—–And old?

 

Do you fly on through the dark?

Waiting for dawn to light the sky.

Do you follow the sun’s arc?

As you fly far—–So very far.

 

Is your home in the restless wind?

Is it there?—–Is it here?

Do you search for a place to belong?

Search in vain?—–Search in fear?

 

I hear your voice in every tree.

Come the spring—–Come the spring.

This means you are now near me.

Come to me.—–Come to me.

 

You have found your home .

Once again.—–Once again.

But, come the autumn, you will roam.

Once again.—–Once again.

 

Where do you go little bird?

When it snows.—–When it snows.

Where you spend your wintery nights?

No one knows.—–No one knows.————R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

 

 

Local Dancer Does Good

      Local Dancer Does Good

Backwoods Sally was a homely child.

You wouldn’t know that today.

She’s all grown up & looking wild.

You’re gonna want her to stay.

 

She comes around when the music plays.

She likes to listen and dance.

I asked her if she wanted to stay.

She wasn’t really looking for romance.

 

She liked to get on the dance floor.

She liked to move it around.

When the music was hot she wanted more.

It’s like she was dancing to a different sound.

They yelled “Keep dancing some more”

“You know you’re stardom bound.”

 

Now Sally danced at the local club.

She never tried to be a star.

Her moves just came natural as mud

was to the pigs in the pasture far.

 

Many a guy tried to light up her life.

Just as many fell to his knees.

There was only one thing in her life.

That was dancing whenever she pleased.

 

She liked to get on the dance floor.

She liked to move it around.

When the music was hot she wanted more.

It’s like she was dancing to a different sound.

They all yelled “Keep dancing some more.”

“You know you’re stardom bound.”

 

One day Sally fell to the floor when she slipped.

The Dr. at the hospital checked her over.

He told her she had broken her hip.

He said her dancing days were over.

 

Sally slipped into a deep depression.

Dancing was all she lived for.

That’s when the radio man made an impression.

“I need a DJ and you’re what I’m looking for.

 

Sally couldn’t get on the dance floor.

She could no longer move around.

When the music was hot she wanted more.

She played lots of different sounds.

They all yelled “Keep playing music more”

“You’re the best DJ there is around”———R. W. Johnson—–(2014)

 

Nightmare Or Vision?

      Nightmare Or Vision?

10,000 maniacs were screaming my name.

I think I might be going insane.

I took a walk on the wild side.

While there I almost died.

You’ve heard of the 7 levels of hell?

Well, let me verbalize & ring your bell.

There may even be a level # 8.

Designed especially for your fate.

All those things you’ve buried deep.

Kept in the dark afraid to seek.

Pigeon holed deep in your mind.

Buried, you hoped, till the end of time.

Locked up tight in the dark recesses of the id.

Only emerging in nightmares when a kid.

If those nightmares return as an adult.

The fabric of your sanity may melt.

The most atrocious offensive things.

Sit in wait to emerge & cause pain.

You’ll run, you’ll scream, you’ll flip your lid.

You’ll be more frightened than when a kid.

Never think you can tempt your fate.

Demons will act. They will not wait.

They will drag you down to the 8th level of hell.

There you will remain to scream and yell.

You may be locked up in a rubber room.

But, your mind tells you ‘IT’ is coming soon.

Tranquilizers just make it like you’re in a fog.

Makes you feel like you’re stuck in a bog.

Demons screaming, the smoke, the fire.

All of them yelling that you’re a liar.

There is no escape as indescribable things appear.

You rip your face and skin in fear.

You’re screaming “let me out” “let me die.”

You feel like ripping out your eyes.

There is no escape. You know this is final.

Judgment has closed. You know why though.

Back when you had the choice.

You didn’t even use your voice.

You turned your back on the only salvation.

You could not resist temptation.

Oh, that you only understood.

You can do nothing that is good.

But, He can , and will for you.

All it takes is to ask Him to.

I made it back when I woke up screaming .

It wasn’t true, I was only dreaming.

But, it sure woke me out of my slumber.

I fell to my knees & prayed like thunder.

Loud and long for God above

to keep me safe in His arms of love———–R. W. Johnson—–(2014)