THE PRISON HOUSE
how dark the abyss
light shorn by deeds amiss
caves of boundless pain
hewn by sinful strain
wandering, lost and alone
encumbered with a heart of stone
hope long lost
days ahead of endless frost
haunted by memories of pleasures past
what one once loved, could not last
the weight of choice bows them down
always looking for one of renown
wanton faces forming an endless sea
all sharing the same misery
from among all considered friend or foe
no one to lead them from below
years upon years
tears producing tears
each day worse than the last
the hope of release long since past
but just as dawn’s soft light
slowly puts the night to flight
when expected least but needed most
like a crippled ship sighting the coast
the rays of truth reach the soul
like a ladder into their hole
the message of hope reaches the heart
providing a way for torment to depart
no easy path to unlock the door
but a path at all, hope can restore
so those who came to offer liberty
brought light so the blind could see
clothed with power and light from above
they searched in the darkness, driven by love
those who serve the Master of all
came to claim all who will heed His call
prisoners convinced hope was beyond reach
now become easier to teach
the words of life within them revive
a way again to feel alive
having found no other way
to escape their eternal stay
they yield their heart
their new journey to start
this new path is not so wide
accompanied by one who can be their guide
if they will but follow, full of trust
and submit to all they must
then from the prison house they flee
the blood of Christ making them free
free from sins and their deadly stain
buoyed by the hope of what they may yet attain
but joyous day for saints who never strayed
whose trials never their faith frayed
for these are those who chose life and light
and are now commissioned with God’s own might
to search for those who will hear the Master’s call
the full weight of justice to forestall
full of faith and power from on high
they teach the truth to draw the sinner nigh