Poetry Reading at Helping Up Mission

God has blessed the men of Helping Up Mission with some amazing talents.  In our weekly Friday chapel services and at our annual graduation banquet, the musical talents of men in Helping Up Mission is greatly appreciated.  Beautiful artwork created by the men of Helping Up Mission is on display throughout our facility and is well attested in my blogs (see 8/14/09; 9/3/09; 7/23/10). Frequently men share in class some of the poetry they have written.  But this week, we took poetry to another level – under the auspices of Bob and Terri Smith, we had our first-ever poetry reading night at Helping Up Mission.  Almost 20 guys read poems they have written, some years ago but much of it just since being here.  It was a very meaningful event and Ryan, who works in the library and one of the readers, wrote about the evening:

The full house Monday night proved that there are many poets in the halls of Helping Up Mission. There were many diverse talents and writing styles at the Poetry Reading within the Helping Up Library. All the men showcased their poetry and expressed the vast struggles they had been through before reaching the Mission. Special Guest Bob Smith, one of the main reasons our Library is the great entity it is today, read a few of his own poems and all the men were moved. God and Recovery were strong in the atmosphere as everyone was there to support their fellow writer and man. After the readings the men were excited to talk to one another and discuss the poetry read. The great success of Helping Up Missions first Poetry Reading will definitely be followed up by more to come.

I understand the event ended with a Smith Island Cake (whatever that is) and there is lots of enthusiasm for the next event.  Poetry is an important vehicle for men to express themselves and to use the gifts God has given them. Here is one of the poems that was read by a guy about his mother’s death in alcoholism. 

Silver Moon
 
sometimes i dream all night…
   just wondering if you got through…
we never said goodbye…
   but there’s still no need to
 
i traveled through that place…
    the door that you went through…
and ther i walked in peace…
    and i still cry for my Silver Moon, my angel
 
i get my dreams from you…
     i got some stories for you…
i believe in heaven for you,
    and it hurts just a little more each time i fall, my Silver Moon
 
i got my own child now…
she asked me where you are…
and i could only smile…
as she turned her eyes to the stars
 
                        -Jamin

Always and only one day at a time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director