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

He is but a man

He is but a man
That the world doth seem to adore
Yet he is nothing more

Yes in life he made for himself a name
And did oft but dress as a dame
And dance to all fame

Ah, but a famous name
And nothing more
So will you still adore

Is he a god
That you should pay respect
Hardly (though it seems rather odd)

When one is dead
Their past sins are oft forgot
And we praise what one is not
As if they were a god

We all are but man
But dust and death
To become

And so we are dumb
To think it more than so
We have but seventy or eighty

And then tis done
Do not forget
We all are but human after all

So as we may praise
The "glories" of man
May we not forget
That he too is mortal

And holds no claim
Beyond the title of fame
When he is gone

He will to heaven or hell
So well as anyone
And no mark of his deeds
Will dismiss him so

Only but the grace of God
Can save him
His sin

-Joshua Lee Foist

Ah, these summer days

Ah, these summer days
Do seem less a thrill
Than those remembered before

This blazing heat
Doth take some tolerance
To appreciate

And still it bakes
Whether in morn or eve
It awakes

Ah, that all the world were a bit cooler
Such refreshment
Might make it all more pleasant

I have seen places where the summer days
Are glorious full of blues and grays
There is a soft sweet breeze
That blows down to one's knees

Yes, I remember these
Oft when I am in such a mood
I do not wish to be rude with my grumbling

I s'pose tis natural
When one knows of something else
Tis hard to accept

One often thinks
'But last summer twas not like this
There were beaches full of bathing and bliss'

Yet all is now too hot
And hath turned to rot
And this I care not
So it seems we must enclose our company
And look out from our window panes
And await the autumn rains

For in time twill be cooler
And the days more full
Of life outside
This despaired place

-Joshua Lee Foist

Now to ill choice

Now to ill choice
I will give here some voice
How oft you plague me
With thy insistent pleas

Yet you care little for the rest
Only it is enough you are impressed
And yet that too is short lived
You move on to the next

What am I to do with you
Your ways are too costly
And you are far too bossy
I will thee no more amuse

Though let these words not confuse
I do care for thee as I do myself
But you must learn some sense
To be patient and grateful

If all is so quickly devoured
How will you know what you like
You like to have
Yet you have not the decency to share

You must learn little one
A bit more to care
Also for the needs of others
All is not your own

Twas bought at a great and costly price
I ask that you would heed this advice
And learn to be more generous
As you have been lavished upon so generously

You have much
And you do not see
All around is poverty
Begging for but a scrap of bread

And you've much more than this
Can you not learn to give
To share with those
Who have not

I pray that in time you will
Grow more kind
And be satisfied
In those who love

May you be content
In the one above
For indeed
Tis He who has given
The mostly costly gift
Of all

-Joshua Lee Foist