The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hope (05/04/06)
Where is the lantern?

When reason, purpose can’t be found,
Depression, darkness overtakes,
I then begin to search around.
Where is illuminating source
For one whose heart so deeply aches?

An eerie silence haunting me,
No reassurance to be heard.
Of night desire to be free,
Intensely long for spark of hope.
I’m listening, but not a word.

Where is the lantern?

Stark loneliness invades my soul,
Downhearted, feel like giving up,
Afraid I’m losing all control.
I ponder method of demise.
The search for light has been too tough.

No meaning left of fading life.
I’m looking not for blinding sheen,
Just flash to break through inner strife.
Left thirsting for a lonely drop
Of hope that still remains unseen.

Where is the lantern?

With one mere moment to decide,
I open eyes for one more time.
Is that a lantern by my side?
With trembling hands I light the wick,
So grateful for this flame sublime.

My tear-filled eyes peer all around.
These simple shadows, welcome sight,
Assure me goodness will be found.
Without the lamp, they don’t exist.
Faint images new hope ignite.

I’ve found the Lantern!

God intervened to light my way,
So thankful He directed me.
My night has slowly turned to day.
With hope again, in faith I know
He’ll lead me where I cannot see.

Embrace the warmth of healing flame,
Have found the strength to carry on.
Assured I’ll never be the same,
With blessed lantern in my hand,
Have newfound hope to draw upon.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1475 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
dub W
05/12/06
The eight beat line is commendable, the rhythm disturbed me a little, but a pretty good effort overall for a closed form poem.
Sally Hanan
05/13/06
Your story in this is good.
It is hard to read, and I think if you had separated the last two lines of each stanza from the first three each time it would have made it easier.
Linda Watson Owen
05/15/06
What a beautiful image of Christ, the Lantern, the Light of the world! The steady but difficult and slow progression from dark to light is very effective, and very realistic. Change often comes that way, although we always want to be 'quick change' artists. God's way is the best way. Great message in this lovely poem!
Pat Guy
05/23/06
I loved this! I really love this. The struggle, the darkness, almost giving in, the light. I think it's a beautiful picture you've painted.
Beth Muehlhausen
05/23/06
Unknowns, shadows, light, warmth...it's all here! I'm picturing one of my Grandpa's old oil lantern with the glass globe...a steady and reassuring flame when surrounded by darkness.

Good job, Laurie!