Too Long, O Lord

Too Long, O Lord, has my heart been frozen
Too Long Have I seen solid ground as a virtue.
Do not kindle a flame in my heart
Rather, blow away the frost
In a cataclysm of burning water
Bring my heart to life from an age of ice
Even if that life be made of furs
and a flint spear, seeking elusive mammoths

Too long, O Lord, have I stagnated
A miasma of forgotten dreams and wasted effort
Bring springtime to the swampland of my life
Let every living thing come forth, two by two
slimy skin, brilliant plumage, glowing petals.
Let the bayou disgorge it's contents
not ashamed of the floatsam
and jetsam of life lived lovingly

Too long, O Lord, have I stood on the shore
watching the waves erode where I stand
My footprints and sand castles, designed with
such loving care, erode under your constant motion
Give me courage and a board that I may ride
The waves of a lifetime, frozen only in my heart
And when the hurricane comes, let me meet you
in the maelstrom that comes from living

Too Long, O Lord, have I hidden from life
Getting toes wet when baptism is required
A full immersion in life itself
Holding my breath until at last I must drown
Give me the courage to set out
to swim the great distance from birth to death
And not simply sit on safe, dry land
Until I freeze as solid as my heart.