On washing

Thou doth stink
There is no other way
In which to say it
I think

And I speak not of character
Nor class
Save that thou lacks
The necessity
Of common class

When thy entrance was first made
Didst near but clear a room
With thy lack of groom

Twas it too much work
To cleanse thy form
For thy own sake
When thou didst awake

Nay, I fear
Tis more of concern
To spend thy time
Toping thy thirst of whiskey or wine
Or relishing in the wisps of smoke
That from thy pipe evoke

I fear if I did embalm thee
With some sent of sweetness
Thy toxins might repel
Such sweetness with thy smell

I can no further gift thee give
Than this request
That thou return
Well rested
And washed

-Joshua Lee Foist

And now in this tainted moment of truth

And now in this tainted moment of truth
I look round me for some reason some proof
That all that is felt whether in depth or in shallow
Hath substance and meaning no matter one's doubt

Hear one's story whether faint or load
All are moments of passing
Where beating and breathing abound

The feeling is numb
The mind is clouded and caught
Yet this too is not without meaning

All are passing
Coming and going
Whether revealed or concealed
Life is in living and breathing
The passing of time
In a heart that is beating

Pain that is felt
Whether distant or near
Can anyone acknowledge or bear

Here's proof within the pondering
No mind is but wandering
Tis always at work
Until the work is done

Though doubt may often
Fill one and consume much
Nothing can hide this simple truth
Tis blessed those who live
And give without end
For in this doth one find
The fairest of friend

In this whether in parting or greeting
Doth one find all of life hath meaning
Yea all of life
Is bound in a single breath

-Joshua Lee Foist

I was lost in the busyness of work and study

I was lost in the busyness of work and study
When I at first heard the news - all was not well
Though many a thought in me did swell
I could not linger on it long
For I had other things to reflect on

Though its anxiety grew in me still
I could not manage the courage to will
This thing from my thoughts
Too close and too dear
Emotions ran deep
And my heart did fear

Could the moment be near
For it was but a year or more past
When all was well
How my heart longed it would be so again
I could not ponder or begin
To think on what may lie ahead

I was selfish and in denial
And I let it fill me awhile
It was only a dream
Soon would I wake
And all would be as it had been before
Before the news had broke

Yet then as I awoke
I knew it was indeed true
And I prayed to God he would give me
The courage and strength to make it through

And for those whom I dearly love
Who were attending to his care
I did offer up my prayer
"Great God be merciful
For indeed all things are in your control"

And so must I trust
What ere the future may hold
That His will is best
We all have much been blessed
By this dear man of faith

Where ere the road ahead may lead
We know without a doubt
It will lead us closer
To the one above
Who looks down with love
Upon all who are his own

-Joshua Lee Foist

Ah, for the days that are to come

Ah, for the days that are to come
And for the day that is to be begun
All stand as one
What is and what remains to be done

What ere we become
In what remains
Who can say

But as one embarks on this day
In heart and mind may pray
That one should not be impatient
Of delay or any other such way

Here is a season
And with it good reason
To remain in this place and time
In this there is much to gain

So do not hastily wish
As to dismiss
This

Here shall thee stay
As long as thee may
Hope not for another day
But hope to make the most of it
So much as you can

There's good here to be found
And little chance you shall return
From this of which you should learn

So learn all that you may
While it is still called today
Learn all that these moments
May convey

And in time
When other pleasures may arise
And their joys may dampen your eyes
Look back with some reflection
To those former days with great affection

For here in have thee learned the lesson
Of what is gained with some correction
Some knowledge and wisdom is found
In the heart of one who is patient

One cannot hope to enjoy
Without also some trials to employ
But when they are past
One can rest in the knowledge
That some joys were made to ever last

-Joshua Lee Foist