I do not walk alone

For many years, I lived a life of isolation. I kept people at arms length, afraid to let them get to close. I believed that if people knew what I thought was the "real" me, they would hate and reject me. It has only been in the last 3 years that I have opened up my heart to others and shared my journey with them. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and dear friends who know me, love me and fight for my heart. We were not made to live in isolation, we were made for relationship and for community. It is to my wife and friends that I dedicate this poem, because of them, I do not walk alone.

For years I walked alone and tired
Afraid to let my burdens down.
My back was bent with shame and sorrow
As I walked my road in silence.

The shame, the pain and the fear of failure
This was my load to bear
Until the day You broke my silence
and bid me lay it down.

Now on this road You brought to me
Dear souls with whom I travel.
My wife, my friends and fellow warriors
our burdens we do share.

Now my back is straight once more
The heavy burden lifted.
No more do I walk alone
By a fellowship I am assisted.
(c)Tom Allen,2005