Snow

By I.M. Ulysses

It falls again
From Heaven's store
A blanket of white
Like foam from the lake's shore

It covers the ground
Like bridal train
And protects the seed
Of the life that remains

Every year it
It returns again
I pillow softnesness
To dampen the pain

A year is over
And a new one is born
As the land now rests
From its daily chore

A frozen riddle
A mystery that stares
As sunlight and moon
Cast their light so rare

In time it will leave
When its work is done
As the spring brings forth
New life with the sun

Til then we wait
And look yonder
As the snow falls gently
Upon life's wonders

Like the Spirit
It does not give up
Until the moment when
God says enough

Then we rejoice
And pray in God's name
When the bride goes by
Leaving life once again

The Last Cavalier

By I.M. Ulysses

Gather ye round
Come, and lets hear
The ageless story
Of The Last Cavalier

Born of a woman
Long lost in time
On a faraway mountain
Amidts hills so sublime

Raised by the angels
He grew up believing
In justice and mercy
In a world unreceiving

Sent forth into battle
And armed with great faith
He promised himself
The path he'd keep straight

The weak to uphold
And the broken to mend
He sought out the ones
Whom he had to defend

The battles were tough
And quite often bloody
But he held to the path
Even though it was ruddy

Yet there was one foe
Whom he could not bring down
It haunted him always
In the hearts he had found

Black as the night
It would not give in
So he battled back hard
And once more did win

The foe was the doubts
Of those who had tarried
While he fought for justice
In a world that was weary

He could not accept
Though he had been taught
That there was no good
In a world that was lost

Praying for strength
To God, up above
He found that the answer
Came only from love

That was the secret
Which pushed him along
As he continued the fight
Until his work was done

Tired now, and weary
After many long wars
He lay down and slept
By the quiet lake's shore

Then came from heaven
An angel of might
Whose power was greater
Than the dawn's early light

He picked up the man
And took him away
And where is he now
There is none that will say

But there is a legend
That's still unconfirmed
That when evil comes
Again he'll return

Once more to take up
The cause of holy
And revive the spirits
Of the lost and the lowly

Until then lets gather
And regale through the years
In the ageless story
Of The Last Cavalier

Zion

By I.M. Ulysses

Zion I come
And stand your the door
A tired old man
To God's holy throne

My strength is departed
I cannot stand tall
Because of the sin
That caused me to fall

Is there a God
Who remembers my name
Who can forgive folly
And redeem me from shame

Or does He await
With a swift command
To render His judgment
Upon this beat man

Or has he been wondering
Just where I have been
Hoping to heal
My pain within

I cannot imagine
What lies in store
As I carry myself
To the Father's locked door

He brought me again
To this place I have known
Shorn of my pride
Hurt and alone

Stripped of all things
That mattered the most
I carry my cross
To the Lord of Hosts

I have nothing left
No place I can hide
He destroyed it all
Before I arrived

Now I stand still
In agony I blunder
As the door opens up
And His voice thunders

His eyes look upon me
At my beaten form
But says not a word
As I bow to the Lord

For judgment I came
I speak out at last
A man cannot live
As a worthless outcast

Take me I pray
Show me your scorn
Send me to hell
Where sinners are torn

In silence He ponders
All He has heard
While behind me the devil
Adds his own words

Give him to me
Hand this fool over
He is the sort
That makes good men shudder

The Lord turns away
My sin He can't ponder
And I know I am finshed
In this very hour

As I am being taken
To the place I belong
An army of angels
Sweep in from above

They fall on the devil
And with ropes they him bound
Then toss him away
Out of sight, out of sound

Upon a great cherub
The Lord then descends
With fire and great fury
And rage without end

He lifts me up
In His Holy Hands
And takes me to Zion
Where His Kingdom stands

I look in surprise
At the place where He dwells
And wonder how come
Had has spared me from hell

Then the Lord Spoke
And Jesus His Son
The one who had died
For my freedom

You were mine once
And still you remain
My child you're forgiven
I've removed all your shame

For I am your Father
And Zion's your home
Behold it's your name
I have written it on

Shed no more tears
Remember tomorrow
Your yesterday's gone
Forget all your sorrow

I stare in amazement
At what God has done
And realize that
I am still His son

I knew at that moment
Just what had transpired
Why God had allowed
My sin to expire

Zion's not made
For sin and defeat
It's where God has placed
His mercy seat

While My Darling Lies Sleeping...

By I.M. Ulysses

While my darling lies sleeping
I stand on my guard
Protecting her spirit
Defending her heart

More precious than silver
More value than gold
My life seems empty
Without her to hold

I sought her for ages
Through long lonely years
Full of much heartache
And many shed tears

At last now she rests
Near by my side,
Her soft gentle breathing
Serene as the tide

Why God let me find her
I never will know
But now that I’ve found her
I can’t her let go

I wonder if she’s dreaming
Of those many days
When we were apart
And lived separate ways

Or is she re-living
The day we first met
When our hearts were still tender
And there was hope yet

It does not matter
As she lies in my arms
Resting in peace
Without fear of harm

While my darling lies sleeping
I send up this prayer
Please God forgive me
For all the lost years

For I could have found her
Long before now
Instead of just hoping
And wondering how

But I was too foolish
Too scared to risk much
And did not believe
I needed to rush

But it was ordained
From the beginning of time
That this precious person
Would some day be mine

And so I am happy
That the Lord up above
Was willing and able
To find me this love

While my darling lies sleeping
I feel very blessed
As her arms surround me,
It’s my turn to rest.

Home

By I.M. Ulysses

In the stillness
Quiet and alone
I rest in the dark
And think of Home

I am met again
On this April eve
Dreaming once more
Trying hard to believe

That may exile will end
And time will atone
For all the lost years
That I've been from Home

I left them that day
Like a thief in full flight
Leaving my heart
In that long empty night

The days went by slowly
And the sunlight was gone
As we headed west
Away from our Home

Chasing a dream
That would prove a big lie
Which my parents hoped
Would not be denied

But it was a nightmare
As I knew in my bones
To leave behind that
Which was our one Home

Grief and sadness
Became our reward
And life lost its joy
In the land they were lured

But I never forgot
Nor could I become
Forgetful of all
That I still call Home

I think of that time
Of those days on the road
While we headed west
To this new abode

How I despised
The land we drove on
Driving to Calgary
Which was never my Home

Anger and fire
Were since that time born
Which nothing can quench
Until I return

When that day dawns
My heart will not roam
And all that was lost
Will be found when I'm Home

Night passes over
But depression has come
In the land of my exile
Where there is no sun

But soon it will end
And my heart will not mourn
On the day that I leave
Heading east toward Home.

Five Feet

By I.M. Ulysses

Five feet
Is all that was needed
And this life of mine
Would now have been ended

Five feet
Was the distance between
My car and his
In that moment unseen

Five feet
And we would have hit
Had I been slower
And he a bit quick

Five feet
But it was enough
For me to veer right
Before his car struck

Five feet
And the headline would read
A tragic accident
On the road unredeemed

Five feet
One less a grave
That would have been dug
For this life unsaved

Five feet
And it would've been over
And instead life
The ground would now cover

Five feet
But God stood in the way
Blocking the path
That allowed me to stay

Five feet
I have been reborn
Passing through death
To a new life untorn

Five feet
My work is not done
So give God the Glory
And Jesus, His Son

Five feet
My life's not my own
It's hidden in God
Who light has now shone

Five feet
Remember it well
For it was the day
When I nearly fell

Five feet
I am still here
Because God halted death
When it was so near

The Mountain Remembers

By I.M. Ulysses

I stood there in silence
A heart frozen in time
Remembering when
You were still mine

I felt all alone
In the spot where we kissed
Holding each other
In the gathering mist

The river was frozen
And more snow had fallen
In the year since you left
In the time not forgotten

I looked to the sky
And felt my heart tremble
For though you are gone
The mountain remembers

It remembers the day
When two long lost hearts
Walked by the river
And saw waters part

It remembers as well
The words that were shared
Between would-be lovers
With a bond that was rare

It remembers too
The greatest of women
When I brought my late grandma
During some free time together

It remembers also
The times that I prayed
For one special lady
Who'd choose to remain

Those thoughts I recalled
As I traversed that place
Silently mourning
What time can't erase

My heart was heavy
As I thought of you then
Cherishing a memory
Once and again

I thought I'd moved on
And put you to rest
But I can't deny
I just failed that test

Alone in my thoughts
I kicked at the pebbles
That gathered upon
The stone covered bevels

You left me I thought
Though I did what I could
To make you happy
As we walked down that road

But it wasn't enough
And I knew I had failed you
As you left on that plane
That took part of me too

As I walked to my car
And got on my way
I tried to forget
How I let myself stray

But it is no use
For my heart's still tender
And though I'd forget
The mountain remembers

Betrayal

By I.M. Ulysses

You failed me too quick
I screamed at her shroud
By turning your back
And being too proud

I fought so you'd live
But you then gave up
Trading my hopes
For this bitter cup

Why did you die
What caused this great ill
That made you surrender
And give up your will

I hate you, I love you
You degenerate creep
For turning my hopes
Into a dead heap

Rise up and stand
The die is not cast
For only a coward
Would give up so fast

I didn't do battle
For you to let go
I did it because
It's what I had too

Return to me now
Rise up from your bed
You're too important
To give up for dead

Find you a cause
Seek out a good reason
And join me in life
In this new spring season

I stand at your door
I knock at your grave
Believing in Christ
That He can still save

Arise now my love
Awake from this dream
Don't let this parting
Be all that it seems

For though you now dwell
In death's dark abode
I know that in life
I will you behold

For you were not born
To die in your sin
You're way too good
To let evil win

You think it's over
But it hasn't begun
The battle's just starting
Which will soon be won

I'm not afraid
Of what lies in store
For once I was like you
Dead and unsure

But the Father above
Has given me life
That will not surrender
To man's evil strife

His spirit now dwells
Within my own soul
Which gives me a power
That can conquer all

That power is yours
If you'd only try
So abandon your grave
In which you now lie

But you are too stubborn
To proud to let go
Of the death you desired
So to you I will come

Downward I'll march
Into the abyss
To take from the devil
The person I miss

There I will make
God's presence known
And snatch you away
From satan's kingdom

I'll wisk you upon
His firey horses
Through valleys of darkness
To the Kingdom of Roses

There He'll restore
What you once thought lost
And bring into memory
The price that it cost

Until then I'll stand
And at your grave rail
Awash in emotion
At this act of betrayal

If, Only

By I.M. Ulysses

If, only
I could change time
To a period when
The world was still fine

If, only
I could make right
What turned out so wrong
Through your long night

If, only
I had known then
How life would turn out
When we had first met

If, only,
I had the power
To chase away demons
And those that devour

If, only
We'd had more laughter
And friendship that bloomed
To happily ever-after

If, only
We could still travel
Back to that schoolyard
To play in the gravel

If, only
I hadn't moved out
We might have stayed close
And not had a doubt

If, only
God was disposed
To grant you a life
In quiet repose

If, only
We could retrace
The path of innocense
Your pain we'd erase

If, only
I could undo
The damage he caused
That bothers me so

If, only
Old photos could talk
I'd warn you then
About the road you would walk

If, only
I had been there
I might have stopped him
From making you fear

If, only
These words I despise
For they can't do justice
To the pain in your eyes

If, only
You were just stronger
I know you could banish
All of your monsters

If, only
You could just feel
The presence of Christ
And His power to heal

If, only
There were no regrets
In your life, or mine
In the years since we'd met

If, only
We had more years
I'd undo the damage
And dry all of your tears

If, only
But that's in the past
I'm here, right now
A friend to the last

My Scottish Rose

By I.M. Ulysses

Words without meaning
Have cluttered my ears
Reminding me always
That you are not here

Why did you leave
When we had each other
When the days looked so bright
And our hearts were aflutter

Were you afraid
Of where it could lead
Sharing our feelings
And living our dreams

Or did the night scare you
As I held you close
Kissing your face
As the morning sun rose

You didn't resist me
As I drew you out
Opening doors
Without any doubt

I was your loyal
Most faithful friend
Who wouldn't have failed you
Time without end

Please tell me the secret
That guards your deaf heart
That pulled us together
Then tore us apart

Where are you now
In who's arms have you fled
Since you moved on
And left me for dead

I wish you well
Was your last refrain
And it grieves me to think
That I caused you such pain

But forgetting you now
I can't easily do
And though you've departed
I still miss you

For truly I know
Where my heart belongs
And though I deny it
My feelings are strong

They keep me awake
During the night
Restlessly tossing
Until dawn's early light

I think of you now
As I did way back then
In the years of our parting
Till I found you again

They say I'm a dreamer
That I should let go
But they never made
Those angels of snow

Bumped close together
Their wings and heads merged
Just like one person
That from two had converged

Such are two people
When drawn together
Their spirits entwined
From that time forever

Such were we once
And still, we remain
'Till God in His mercy
Restores time again

But until that moment
Should it ever come
My heart remains captive
In your heart's dungeon

Waiting in silence
My life passes by
In the shadows of love
Which I can't deny

You're all that I wanted
I have nothing left
No pride, and no pretence
I gave you the rest

Yet I was unworthy
And my hopes were all dashed
Just like a leper
That you have outcast

Who's going to find me
Who'll lift my head
As I lie here dreaming
Of you, in my bed

Am I to be woken
As from a bad dream
Only to find
A love unredeemed

Or am I to wallow
In this helplessness
Trapped in the sorrows
Of my own foolishness

This I can't say
Nor have I been shown
As I wander this world
Until I'm reborn

Such is my fate
And the cup God has given
Of it I must drink
Until I'm forgiven

The dawn, though, is coming
And the sun will shine bright
Raising me from
This broken heart's night

On that fine morning
I will again stand
Ready and willing
To take one more chance

Once more to discover
That which was lost
Remembering always
The price that it cost

For no flower ever
Has cut me so deeply
Nor have I ever
Loved so completely

Your mark is upon me
This burden I carry
Until God restores that
Which makes the heart merry

For now, though, I wait
In silent repose
A lonely vigil
For my Scottish Rose

Jericho Must Fall

By I.M. Ulysses

Jericho must fall
The Lord has proclaimed
So round ye the ramparts
Until they are razed

But I am too weary
And my strength is long passed
How could I march
When my body can't last

Not by your flesh
But by my spirit
This is the battle
And you have to win it

But it is impossible
I cry out to God
The walls are too high
Their army too strong

No they are not
The Lord spoke me His Word
Just hold to your faith
And move ye forward

I round them once more
My body in pain
When God says to me
Son, do it again

Foolish, I cry
That this should be so
How the trampling of feet
Can a fortress undo

But onward I march
As the Lord has demanded
And ask Him for strength
To obey the commandment

Once more around
But I can go no further
My strength is all gone
It's the end of my tether

Rise up, Rise up
The Lord speaks above
The hour has come
For the War of the Dove

Downward it comes
This white little creature
A symbol of peace
In a world without feature

It gently alights
Upon my poor shoulder
Reminding me that
I must be bolder

For within that great city
God's child has been bound
Held by the devil
Lost but now found

I rise from the soil
And reach toward Heaven
Lord take my hand
Let your strength be given

The dove then takes flight
And becomes a great eagle
Soaring above
The city of evil

Gathering my strength
I take one more step
But my flesh is defeated
There is nothing left

I fall to the ground
From which I arose
Awaiting the end
And my final repose

The sky now darkens
And angels come down
Lifting me up
From this evil ground

They carry off
To His hiding place
There to bear witness
Of God's Holy Grace

Down comes the fire
That the Lord has reserved
For the day of His wrath
That evil deserves

First one
And then another
The walls started falling
By God's glorious thunder

They collapsed in a heap
At His Holy command
Never to rise
From this evil land

Now come his angels
His army at last
Entering Jericho
With a hurricaine's blast

Througout the city
The evil were slain
While God's Holy Children
Were freed once again

They lept from their prisons
And shouted with glee
While legions of angels
Proclaimed God's Jubilee

As I watched from a distance
I looked and beheld
A sweet little child
With long golden hair

Carried by cherubs
She was brought to my side
As I looked at her face
I understood why

Her hand brushed my cheek
While I stared at her form
And knew it was someone
Who hadn't been born

She was my daughter
The child of my heart
Whom I had conceieved
In my inward parts

It was for her I'd been sent
To march round and round
Until in God's time
The walls had come down

Daddy, she cried
I'm yours now for real
Please take me home
And let your heart heal

As I gathered my daugther
In to both my arms
I praised God my Redeemer
Who had saved her from harm

She giggled and laughed
As I held her aloft
Teasing her gently
As we headed off

Then the Lord spoke
From beyond the valley
Your faith is rewarded
Now rejoice and sing gladly

The city has fallen
And justice has come
Now march ye no more
For the battle is won

I bowed low before Him
To praise and revere
As did my daughter
Whose freedom was dear

Off we then went
Past the huge, fallen stones
That once were the walls
Of old Jericho