Us (a poem)

Worth The Wait

heard another 

love story song 

on the radio 

people are saying 

forbidden fruit 

tastes the sweetest 

but something 

deep inside 

says it's not so 

those stolen 

secret sweets 

turn bitter as 

you watch them 

walk out the door… 

don't make 

that mistake 

don't take what 

you shouldn't take 

or give it away - 

then it's too late 

trust the unknown 

have some faith 

take a stand 

find your place 

just believe it's 

worth the wait. 

~ Toni Derouin

In a world full of media and books that encourage taking what we want from love without commitment, people need to start speaking up and telling the truth. Making relationships that are unhealthy, even dangerous, seem glamorous and romance filled are causing incredible hurt to marriages, women, and people's ideas about what love is.  

You know what is truly romantic? Seeing an elderly couple that have been together many, many years. They have seen the best and worst in each other... yet he still holds her hand, and she smiles like she is falling in love all over again. This is beautiful.

Why do I grasp 

so tightly 

these cares and 

worries of mine? 

Like a miser 

clasps his gold 

I cling onto 

my problems 

as if they 

brought happiness. 

You stand silent 

nail-scarred hands 

reaching out 

for my burden 

to relieve me, 

give me rest. 

Why can't I 

give it away? 

Looking at Your 

spear-scarred side 

I bow my head 

as slowly guilt 

melts away pride. 

Viewing the cross 

makes my sacrifice small. 

You gave forgiveness, 

gave Your life 

take my heart 

I surrender my all.

~Toni Derouin

"Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

Open Your Eyes

If a heart is breaking in a crowd 

Does anybody know it? 

If a tear falls to the ground 

Has anyone seen it? 

If a soul is reaching out to you 

Can you feel it? 

Every moment there is one 

Whose heart is breaking 

Whose tear is falling 

Whose soul is reaching 

And nothing happens… 

Open your eyes.

~ Toni Derouin

I think, so often, we see the over-arching needs of our own lives, our own heartbreaks, our own questions, that we forget to look around and see the other people who are in need themselves. How often have we seen someone that we know is in pain or in need of guidance and we turn our backs, telling ourselves that someone else will help them, and we simply have just too much on our plates right now. Your plate will always be full... of sickness, business, family. But reaching out to help someone else is what makes our lives full. Full of joy. Full of happiness. Full of giving. 

blank paper makes

my fingers itch

I want to write -

fill up the spaces.

don't care if these

words were written

a thousand times before

they'll keep going on

even after I die

trying to fill

every last scrap

of blank paper.

~ Toni Derouin