A selection of my poems from over the years. Feel free to use and share if it blesses you!

Young Again

A hopeful lament of a father’s heart

Cradled with tenderness, nourished by love,
Hedged in and protected from below and above.
Unmarred by rejection and oblivious to harm,
He connects with each face– and is instantly charmed.

Barefoot exuberance, lights in her eyes;
Skipping and singing– gasps of surprise.
Frizzled-hair happiness, strawberry-stained cheeks,
Innocent reverie– pure joy when she speaks.

Eye-opening wonderment– There’s a world to explore 
He’s drinking in knowledge and begging for more.
How vast is our galaxy? How deep is the sea?
His pursuit of the universe– unbridled and free.

But the joy that I feel, as each milestone you pass,
Is mingled with sadness– life travels too fast.
For Eden recedes with each calendar page,
And infancy’s innocence dwindles with age.

Into the shadows of self you will creep;
You’ll hide from the Voice, and you’ll curl up and weep.
Then cowering with shame in this old Adam’s world, 
You’ll be driven from paradise by a cherubim sword.

I pray that the wilderness leads you to Him;
That in stumbling and knocking, you’ll find refuge from sin.
That the spark in your soul not succumb to the night,
For the burden He offers is somber– yet light.

This living and dying, as we know it today,
Whispers a future that will take us away
Where the garden stays green, and the connections we’ve had
Will then be much deeper – and infinitely wide.

I shall be young again! Oh, I shall be safe–
Enveloped in Love’s eternal embrace.
I shall be young again– yes, I shall adore
The face of my Savior– I’ll slumber secure. 

I shall be young again, I shall be free;
Running through clover fields – skipping with glee.
Yes, I shall be young again, childhood restored;
My questions all answered in a clean, fresh world.

Let the wave of Redemption swallow up all decay! 
May these pangs of corruption give birth to new day!
Deliver creation– as You promised of old!
Let me be young again, Oh– let forever unfold!

– Jared G. Martin
2024 A.D.

In Heaven, a Hush

In heaven – a hush! And not a sound
Is heard from the holy choirs,
And the seraphim in garments of white
Lay down their golden lyres.

For their eyes are fixed on the battle below,
On a stricken, unseen soul,
Where the powers of Night and the God of Light
Contest for full control.

Then out from the miry clay he climbs,
Expelled from the slippery sod,
Cleansed from the stains of  hell-born wrongs,
And into the arms of his God.

In heaven – a shout! A cry of joy!
Oh, the music swells and rolls,
And the blood-washed saints by the royal throne
Bow down to the Savior of souls.

–Jared Martin
2009   

Voices

He backed me up against the mountain’s jarring face
And sneered.
“Look down, you coward look!
Where is the One who said He’d give you wings?
Where are those trickling streams
And phantom pastures decorated with the fancy things
Called faith and trust?
Where is the path that leads toward the sun?
The bridge that spans, the victory won?
Look yonder, gaze, and be afraid
For there are lonely valleys, lurking traps made
Horrible by a hosts of evils. Foolish man,
From here I see the smoke of countless fires that rage
And dead-end streets and sinking sand.
The world is dark, and you are lost.
Weep!
Weep bitterly, for Love will break your trust.
Beware!
Beware, that Stone will grind you into dust.”

He took my hand in His, and led me to the precipice.
He smiled.
“Look yonder, child, beyond your fears!
Your feet lift slow, your eyes blink fast
To hold the flood of helpless tears.
But I shall raise you when you fall. Have faith and trust
My footsteps– this is nothing new to Me,
Not long ago I trudged the same old dust,
And stood atop this very cliff and heard his twisted, beastly glee–
Ignore those lies.
For quiet pastures rise from sinking sand,
And tranquil waters quench the ravening flames.
From here I see the gleam of mansions! And the crown
awaits the child who’s not ashamed
to grasp My hand and follow Me.
Trust!
Trust Me and surrender—persistently I knock.
Rejoice!
Rejoice, and fall upon the Rock.

-Jared Martin
2017

April and I

I am alone with April’s evening bliss,
Her cool, inclusive night about my head;
Alone to watch the fading sunlight kiss
the greening mountains with a touch of red.

And out from nowhere comes a stir of wind
That tugs the curtains with a playful air;
It swirls in silent circles, out and in
And leaves exquisite footprints in my hair. 

How many former evenings of this sort
Have come and gone with none to view their grace?
How many nights did my unrest distort
The wonder of a twilight’s warm embrace?

I bow my head, while April’s evening air
blows back enchanted days⎯and breathe a prayer.

-Jared Martin
2009

The Gate

I saw a rainbow in the sky
And thus reflected from my eye⎯
An awesome wonder.

And then within a flash, a thought,
Unique and somewhat novel wrought
An inspiration:

I saw beyond this natural view,
Beyond the clouded tints of blue⎯
The gate to heaven.

For all I know, at Christ’s return,
Behind His majesty shall burn
The final rainbow

-Jared Martin
2009

New President

He stands before the camera’s staring eye
To face a nation’s varied, waiting gaze;
Alone, to take a country’s balking reins,
Alone, to navigate this murky maze.

He waves with careless hand the cheering throng
And strides with certain steps to meet the throne;
But underneath, a solitary sense 
Of doom has come–Afraid to be alone.

Atop ambition’s highest wrung he clings
And teeters on the slippery slope of fame;
But though secured in popularity,
Alone, he must live out his name.

The boastful pledge, the silver-spangled vow,
And glittering promises alike have flown;
He now must stoop to face reality
And bow beneath the yoke–alone.

He stands before the Greatest King of earth,
His favored deeds and policies to own;
Yet though with teeming millions at his back,
He finally reports to God–alone

-Jared Martin
2008