Chronicle at strive4impact.com

I had a rose
which withered and died
but I kept it around
Simply inside

October 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Touchdown in Memphis

Touchdown in Memphis
Touchdown in Memphis

I went up into the dark,
and I saw there was no one there.
I went up into the night,
and I heard the sirens blare.

November 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

There is a light
it isn't new
it keeps away the night
and shows people what to do

It gives people a guidance
and gives people room to grow
it protects them like a lance
and can have a striking blow

ANOINTED
November 1993

Life is strange, When you walk down the street,
seeing the faces, of people you meet.
You seem to see, then look and find,
that not everyone is always kind.

Some people are pushed, and thrown on the ground,
and then you hear the disheartening sound,
of crying and whining, a constant plea,
"Will you help you,
or will you help me?"

Winter 1993
Jonathan is 14
(Unfinished Poem)

Fire in the Sky

I see the street
I know it well
I walk it tonight
like a street from hell
I have come
from your grave
where I wonder
if you've been saved
I get to the door
and remove the key
I see a man shot
across the street
and as I open
the brass knocker door
I see a dead world
"should I try anymore?
Is it worth it
to do my best
or should I give up
on the never-ending test?"

POEM: Confused
December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Confused

Confused about life,
confused about dreams.
Confused when there's no fish
swimming in streams.

Confused about danger,
confused about fear.
Confused when there's no way
to hide a tear.

December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

-Untitled-
I can't believe it's happened,
it's starting all over again.
Nothing's changed,
and their world's the same,
but to you it looks like the end.

Your friend has fallen down,
and will never again get up.
Someone is born,
another is scorned,
but it seems you've run out of luck.

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

There is an insurmountable difference between right and wrong

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Inner Light (2)

I had a vision of a man one night,
he was walking in a dream.
He pulled out a little charm,
it was like nothing I'd ever seen.

POEM: True World
(Jonathan is 14)

True World
Dear God,
"What happened today?
Was this your plan?
Who killed them?
Was it by your hand?
Who caused this madness?
Why were they killed?
Who thought this idea?
Was it by your will?"

June 26 1994
(Jonathan is 13)

LAST NIGHT I HAD A DREAM
A DREAM
A DREAM OF CONFUSION
A DREAM OF DIFFERENCES
DIFFERENCES IN LIFE
DIFFERENCES IN WATER
DIFFERENCES IN EXPECTATIONS
DIFFERENCES IN TAKING IT AS IT COMES
DIFFERENCES IN PEOPLE
DIFFERENCES IN LOVE
BUT IN THERE WERE THESE DIFFERENCES
I FOUND SOMETHING ELSE IN MY DREAM
MY DREAM
MANY OF THE DIFFERENCES I HAD FOUND
WERE NOT DIFFERENCES AT ALL
THESE THAT HAD APPEARED TO ME AS DIFFERENCES
WERE ACTUALLY THINGS THAT WERE THE SAME

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Identity
The mask of people,
destroys who we are,
the mask of people
will keep us from going far.
The mask of the people,
hides our true face,
the mask of the people,
separates by race.
When we define people,
by color and creed,
all we are left with,
is money and greed.
Someone dictates,
another doesn't care.
When are we going to break down our walls?
When are we going to share?
What has happened to us?
Why don't we listen,
to the voice deep inside
instead of forgettin'
that we're all here together,
like it or not.
You're killing potential,
when one of them's shot.
Struck down to the ground,
forever there to remain.
"Your honor, don't you see?
I was temporarily insane."

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

How about stopping them before they're convicted three times?

Every step I take I think is the right one, but when my foot is planted I find that the ground is looser than before or I step down on a nail or a rock, which makes my foot sore. Will the next step I take the right one for me?

Will the next step I take
be the right one for me?
Will I be my true self
instead of what people see?
Will I find a path
no one is trod on before
or am I walking
to a locked door

I step on something sharp
I look and see a stone
I want to sit down
and rest my tired bones
but I have to keep walking
my own separate path
through all my troubles
despite all the mishap
I have to get others
to follow where I go
but it has to be done
without putting on a show

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14 - and totally smitten with a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

To Jackie;

Love poems written
in the past
have shared memories
that would last

For us, there is but one
memory there
but I hope that's not all
that we share

Waiting for you
to come to me
is something I can't afford
a luxury
because if I didn't see you
at least once again
I could never see
another woman
without thinking of you
and the presence you gave
walk him that night
on a cold street paved

Without seeing you
or knowing your true face
I tend to think
I'll lose my place

Lost in life
without knowing you
it will be hard
to make it through

I can't live without
your voice that I hear
without it I lose
my hope and I fear
facing tomorrow
without you my side
and without I'd lose
the ability to try

Everything about you
a bad thing, I couldn't say
all I think about is
our want to see you today
I'm following what I feel
inside my heart
and I hope that's where
will find our start

In a world of hope,
Faith, and care,
I hope there's something
more that we share

Love

March 23, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Daddy Bruce Randolph
With a heart of gold, he did what God told.

- - - - - - - - -
If people would quit complaining about being in the minority, we would all be in the majority of human people fighting to become something much greater.
- - - - - - - - -
Overcome
To Martin Luther King
-Let us keep the dream alive-

We shall overcome
without violence, without hate.
We shall overcome,
and not use others as the bait.
Where'd the spirit go?
a different cause, yes,
but we've laid down on the job,
and forgotten about the rest.
The violence which surrounds us now,
hurts us even more.
In the end, it will kill us all,
and hurt us more than the worst war.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you write is more important,
than what you've read.
When you feel the beat,
of the heart inside your soul,
you can achieve any important dreams or goals.
The feeling you get,
when you know your true self,
is the feeling of a heart,
unaffected by wealth.
One that has peace,
or a better people in mind,
is one who is great,
because of a heart that is kind.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you say is more important,
than what you've said.
You must strive for this goal,
each and every day;
to say what you believe,
instead of believing what you say.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important that your head.
What you do when you're alive,
will determine how you're dead.
You have a choice now,
to live in wealth and fame,
and even when you mess up,
to never take the blame.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Tradition and life
brought around without strife
like husband and wife
is tradition and life

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Where the Angels Play Ball
This is the place,
where the angels play ball.
They play when people hear their call.

They play with us,
as we walk through life,
and they help lead us through all strife.

Leading us to the place we should go,
that, put simply, is the angels' goal.

To help us through the troubles we find.
At the end of the day,
they clear our minds.

The most powerful person on Earth will fall,
when the angels come to play ball.

They let us take control,
and catch us when we fall,
that is why the angels have come to play ball

When people need to know what to do,
or need some help tying their shoe,
or maybe need help finding out who,
The angels also then play for you.

Want to know how to contact them?
Simply contact Jesus.
The angels are his gems.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

I'm writing to tell you
what I plan to do
if you don't like it,
I guess that's fine too.

But those who believe
what you're about to read
follow me
we'll be together peacefully, in eternity,

April 12, 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

WHERE'S THE ROSE NOW?
IS IT STILL THERE?
IF IT IS
WHERE CAN I FIND IT, WHERE?

DEEP INSIDE,
I KNOW IT'S BEEN FROZEN
IT JUST SITS THERE
LEFT UNCHOSEN
WITH ONE DELICATE TOUCH,
IT COULD CRACK
IT MIGHT SHATTER
WITH A SIMPLE STEP BACK

I'm too scared to move
so I sit at a standstill
staring at the Rose, I wonder
why is it I don't feel a chill?
The sun is shining,
but the roses shaded
by a cloud
its colors faded.

Rose, please,
feel the shining sun
you will see
a wonderful relationship has begun

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

What am I to do
sitting here alone
thinking about just you
I want to sing, but don't know which tune
do you have any feelings for me
am I just dreaming
is it possible for you to see
the things that I am feeling?

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and is heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

What is this
this presence I feel
coming from her
is it something real
it's unlike anything
I'm able to explain
and perhaps it's that presence
that's causing me this pain

June 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

In this time of life
Don't think of things that make you weary
And forget about a midnight dreary
Instead think of dreams of your wonderland
And the magical spirit it gives
Because when the spirit knows it's true dreams
It then truly lives.

July 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Potential (Tools to Aid the Soul)

I look at people,
and see in them so much potential.
Potential to do whatever they want
Potential to make good things happen for all
They have this potential,
and I see it when
I look at people

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

Quiet Knowledge
Innocence
Feelings
Impact
Wonderings

Peace War Hate Love

July 1994
Jonathan is 15

If you plant a seed and nothing grows up
What is it that you do?
If you find you are bored with your everyday life
Is there some way you can make it new?

August 7, 1994
Jonathan is 14

The girl who could talk with her eyes
Tonight I met her
I tried to talk
but what could or would I have said?
Tonight I met her,
and in her eyes, I saw a brilliance of the soul
A brilliance ready to shine
A brilliance that is ready to help
Is this,
This girl who can talk with her eyes,
Is this what I've been waiting for?
Perhaps.

August 1994
A song I heard at a retreat
Jonathan is 14

A story and a song called The Color Angels

Beautiful Blossom Growing
Beautiful Blossom Grow
Beautiful Blossom Growing
Beautiful Blossom Grow

And holy are you
God of the universe
Maker of colors
Maker of mountains
Maker of promises that are true
Holy are you

August 1994
Jonathan is 14

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That's what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I'll be on your side forevermore
That's what friends are for

August 1994
Jonathan is 14

You've given in to the self

The chain of impact

Perceptions of reality

September 1994

A song I heard in a dream/daydream.

We march for the greater glory of God (GAGFGFEFEDC)
We march within His light.
We march for the greater glory of God
And we shall prevail against the night.

October 1994
Jonathan is 15

Everybody wishes for what they don't got
The blind wish they could see
The lame wish they could learn to walk
And I wish I could be me.

November 1994
A song
Jonathan is 15

Tonight's a perfect night to look at the stars EEEFEDCDDEE
With someone by your side EDCEDCE
I wish that I could look at the stars EEEFEDCDDEE
I wish that she was here tonight CCEDCDCC

November 1994
An alternative verse I wrote for a song we sang in church
Jonathan is 15

"I will take the cup of life and call God's name all my days..."

Cantor: How can I call to myself the people that I love?
Choir: Lord, we are your servants, make it known to us, may your will be done, Amen.

December 7, 1994
Jonathan is 15

Troubling times
Busy people
People too busy to care
To care about anything but themselves
Self-satisfaction in people made busy by the world
Troubling times

December 1994
An unfinished song
Jonathan is 15

Don't just throw the love away
Bring it back and let it stay
Don't let the colors fade to gray
Tonight

December 1994
Jonathan is 15

As an eagle
Crying out with an anthem
Soaring
Gliding
Never stopping
On wings of endless flight
Through a turning night
Turning dark
Soaring endlessly through the dark
Trying to find even a point of light to cling to
Sure that the light is there
and can even see how to find it
but the strangeness of the dark is addictive and overpowering
pulling him to fly endlessly into the dark
Knowing is the dark that if it can keep him away from the light then it can keep the eagle lying in the dark forever
And to the dark the eagle will unknowingly bring others
Others who believe that since he knows how to find the light, he will lead them to it.
Only to find, however, that when he tells them where to find the light, they don't want to hear it.
He wishes he could remain in the dark for life and go into the light for eternity
But he knows he must choose to fly through the light

Mid-April 1995
Jonathan is 15

Everyday I make a choice
whether or not to use my voice
The choice I make might show others me
But will they know me by what they see?

If I choose to hide me inside,
Maybe for fear, but not lack of pride
Then I lose out because what they see
is not really the person who is me.

And when I lose out so do they
because, perhaps, I could have helped them pray.
So every day I make a choice
that it's best to use my voice.

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

To My Friend Melissa

When Looking At
A Seed, Only A
Small Amount Of The Potential Beauty
Is Seen. But On The
Inside Of That Seed
Is Something Very Beautiful.

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

Vindication:
"Is it really your right?"
Justification:
"I couldn't see, there was no light."
Jurisdiction
"I hold power over your fate."
The answer, PEACE:
"They find out too late."

April 1995
Jonathan is 15

An eagle shot
A friend in trouble
And I can't find my love

Good hearted people
Volunteered time
In this world there is a Peace-Dove

Summer 1995
Jonathan is 15

Perceptions of Reality
The way I view the world
The way other people perceive me
The way we each see the world individually