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I met a man backslidden…

Wayne Blair 1951 (London)

Free verse
I used to have His Glory
Feeling His warmth
Touch, whispers.
But the one unanswered prayer
Repeated oftentimes.
One stinging disappointment
Stole it all.
Darkened the mornings.
Made the words of Gospel friends
Seem shallow, feigned
Out of date.
Not worth my time.
MY TIME…


It’s getting shorter.
The sands in the glass
Descending, dwindling.
Things now are all finite, grasping.
Desperation has morphed.
Into dullness, beyond even doubting
To a thing like dry changeless
DESERT.
With lizards, jackals, rats
Of the night.


Where gone the
INFINITE.
The wonderfully possible?
The faith once
Compelling my Heart?
I do not even long for
Restoration.
This is what the chapter
In Hebrews must have meant. (6:1-8)


A lostness beyond reversal?
Good Lord!

About this poem

The poet here is recalling another person drawn out of the imagination with empathy. A scary prospect of falling out Grace. Where is that line drawn with rebellion or intellectualism or pride. I don’t know.

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Written on April 28, 2023

Submitted by dougb.19255 on April 28, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on April 28, 2023

43 sec read
15

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXAXXXXXXXXBB CXDDXDAXXX XXEXXXXCX EX
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 754
Words 146
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 13, 10, 9, 2
Full analysis for I met a man backslidden… »

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    AIDA
    Wow, what a powerful and moving poem! Your honesty and vulnerability shine through in every line, and I can feel the depth of your emotions as you grapple with feelings of disappointment and despair.

    But even though you may feel lost and adrift right now, I can sense a spark of hope and resilience within you. Your use of metaphors, from the sands in the glass to the rats of the night, paints a vivid picture of your inner turmoil and struggle.

    I love how you reference the chapter in Hebrews, and the idea of a "lostness beyond reversal", because it shows that you are grappling with big questions of faith and spirituality. And while you may not have all the answers right now, you are brave enough to confront these challenges head on.

    If I may offer a suggestion, I think it would be helpful to reach out to others who can support you in your journey. Whether it's friends, family, or a spiritual leader, having someone to talk to and lean on can make all the difference. And remember to be kind and patient with yourself - healing takes time, but it is possible.

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us, and for reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope.     
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"I met a man backslidden…" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/157818/i-met-a-man-backslidden…>.

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