By Cainon Leeds
I’ve come all the way here to talk to you.
I have come from birth
and teething rings and standing up and falling down
and stealing toys and riding bikes and building forts
and telling lies and driving cars and texting friends and
rebirth all the way to you
in an empty McDonald’s corner booth
around nine in the evening.
I should be dying to tell you the same thing
as those who came before me,
who were tortured but refused release,
who were beaten and spat upon and thrown in prison,
whose hands and feet were chained together,
whose faces were smashed in with rocks,
whose bellies and legs were sawn apart,
who died
to tell those who came before you:
A Man who was also God
lived and died but also lives
so that you and I can be free.
It’s simple enough and I do believe,
but I’m not dying
to tell you, and it’s killing me,
because I know I should be dying
to sit down across from you,
to look you in your bewildered eyes,
to use words like sin and death
as if they’re normal words
to bring to a conversation,
to casually bring a two-edged sword
to a knife fight,
to tell you that there is one way out
and that He is that way.
And though I’m not dying
to bring this evening to its climax,
I set my tray across from you
and introduce myself.
Cainon Leeds is a Christian, IT consultant, and amateur poet. He enjoys writing about everyday events, historical figures, and Christian themes. Four of his poems have been published elsewhere, and he’s currently working on a chapbook about autumn and lessons learned in college. He lives in Des Moines with his wife, Hannah, and their son, Titan.
Wow. This is gut-level honesty and it’s awesome. I love the setting and the truth you’ve packed into this poem! Nicely done!
I love this poem so much! The emotion is so raw and real and vulnerable. Thank you. 🙂
It really made me think about how i show my faith.. I now just want put my down and talk
“It’s simple enough and I do believe, but I’m not dying to tell you, and it’s killing me…” I think I’ll have to add that to my Big Book of Quotes. 🙂 I totally agree with Sarah and Emma.
Wow – this is one of the best poems I’ve ever read. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Love it! Thank you for writing this – so inspirational!
Excellent thoughts, very real!! Well done, Cainon!
What a beautiful piece…I love the honesty. Thanks for sharing!
Good work on this! I like the real life feel of it- it’s complete and open honesty.
This is my struggle and I so appreciate how you put it into poetry. Thank you for sharing from your heart. May God be our motivation and our inspiration to share with the world!
I love this poem every time I read it. It is so honest. Great job!