Be Gentle With Me

Be gentle with me.
Where my heart is fragile,
hold it tenderly.

Where my soul is fearful,
come along side it
and lend me your strength.

When I rage,
calm my visage and voice.

Help me regain my holy silence.

Be gentle with me.
When I am certain I am drained
and cannot go further,
cannot love or live or give any more,
sustain me.

When patience has fled,
fill me with yours.

for I walk in fog.
I am battered.
I am broken.
I am scarred
and seeing my way,
and you are the last
and first
light.

Be gentle with me,
craft me with your tender hands,
restore me,
prepare me
to reflect that gentleness back
like a mirror reflects candle
late in the night.

About this poem

Few things, or people, are as simple as they appear.

Inspired by my bible reading this morning, 2nd Timothy 2:25 –  ²⁵  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

It could also be read as a love poem for the broken hearted, or a plea to a dear friend in times of brokenness.

The picture was taken in Tintagle, England.

Tom