A. Keeper

My slight inconvenience, has taught me
Things they could not know.
Each obstacle is a victory
Enabling me to grow.

I'm not really any diffrent
I cry, I laugh, I snore.
I don't want to be treated
As if I'm not a person anymore.

Out of good intentions,
People are afraid to let me try.
But sometimes I have to fall
And sometimes I need to cry.

God gives me the strength and dignity,
And the courage to be all I can be.
For He doesn't see me as disabled.
He just sees me as me.

A. Keeper

Unmasked

Some mask their hearts with arrogance
Others with indifference
Vulnerability lies beneath each disguise
Hidden beyond all mortal eyes

Unmask the fool afraid to see
The strength found in adversity
Hide not the heart that dares to care
And welcome those who seek love there

A.Keeper

Drops of Hope

Spirits are easily tattered
As threads of compassion mend
Sewing a life of tender mercies
Defying destruction time and again

Light will always shine divine
For angels guide our way
Listen to the music
That a happy heart can play

Though storms rain down
Let your soul lift up
Catching every drop of hope
In your empty cup

A. Keeper

Mirror Monster

Blistered, bleeding, writhing in pain.
Struggling to survive, as life goes insane.
Crying in anguish,
Yet tears are in vane.

I glance in the mirror
And can't recognize who I see.
Fearful of every change
That humiliates and mutilates me.

The reflection staring back
Is a monster to my eyes,
Such ugliness cannot be
Easily hidden or disguised.

So I look beyond the surface,
Past the imperfections of the skin.
To see the true beauty
Of the soul that lives within.

A. Keeper

Faith can move mountains
And make miracles too
it's God's quiet assurance
Somehow you'll get through

Illness may stay
And bills may remain
But Faith lets you know
That your still in the game

When life beats me down
And strips me of control
When tears and pain fill
The caverns of my soul

The Lord whispers gently
Remember what you CAN DO
He blessed me with this wisdom
That I now pass along to you

Stress may run you over but HOW
You handle it is in YOUR hands
In this YOU have the power
To Crumble or STAND

What a mighty message
He's given me to teach
I ask Him for the courage
To Practice what I Preach.

A.Keeper

Don't leave your friends and family
Alone to wonder why
Ask for help talk to someone
Life is worth a try

Leaving tears and guilt behind
Is such a cruel thing to do
Don't withdraw and don't give up
Life's best still waits for you

Sometimes it may seem useless
And it's alright to cry
But cry only for a moment because
Life is worth a try

A. Keeper

Hold Tight

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger
If we hold on a little longer

It's looking for a window
When someone shuts the door
Though faith and strength are fading
It's somehow finding more

Giving up or giving in
Won't help you win the fight
So when your rope is at the end
Make a knot and just hold tight.

A. Keeper

Guarding the light of liberty
Is the Keeper of the flame
Who takes that position seriously
not for glory nor for gain

The holder of hope
For future generations
The seeker of truth
Without reservations

Warrior in the battle
Against prejudice and hate
Survivor of tragedy
Changer of fate

Preserver of the dream
For a promised land of love
Sender of prayers
To the good Lord above

Just a humble servant
A rose by any other name
One of many who choose to be
A Keeper of the Flame

A. Keeper

(After writing this poem I decided to use A.Keeper as a Pen Name. I hope you enjoy my poetry. Keep the faith and remember you are not alone.)
Best wishes,
Leslie W. Cain Ortega