January 11 – Black Horse

Hungry, the beast paws at the ground, stirring the dust at its feet. The rider clucks its tongue, unconcerned. Exhaling, shifting anxiously, staring with contempt at the wisps of dry foliage clinging to the unforgiving earth. The beast lets out an angry whinny.

"Peace," the rider says, patting his beast, raising his head. "Our work is done here." He digs his heels into the creature's side.

And the third horseman's left desolation in his wake.

January 12 – Heartstrings

Tell me a story; a tale of how a child watched the world lose its color. Blues, reds, and yellows, fading to gray, black, and white. A world without color, without life.

Tell me how the child cried; how their heart broke, not for the lack of color, but for the life it took with it-delicate butterfly wings, dark autumn woods, meadowed hills.

Tell me how those cries reached your ears. How your heart ached for the child in the colorless void of a world.

Tell me of when you reached down and whispered in that child's heart. Deep and comforting, words of truth spreading through them like life's blood, echoing in their soul.

Remind me what you told them; the words that stopped the tears and brought hope to life

"Not cry, dear one. This home is only temporary. Your true home will be painted with more color, more life, than you can fathom. And there will be no tears, no sadness. And you will never be alone again."

Write this tale, this promise, on my heart. Etch it in me for the hard days, the days I long for home, to remind me someplace better is coming.

January 13 – Another Day

(Inspired by 'Another Side, Another Story')

'Just one more day,' I whisper, feet slapping the rain soaked pavement

'One more day by your sides, like all those times before,

Laughter and talk about nothing, the sun painting the sky red.'

'Just another day,' I whisper, rain hitting my face

'One more day, keep on going, you'll reach the end soon

And when this quest is over, then things will be right again.'

At a different time, in a different life, we may have been friends

But now blades clash, glistening in rain and sparse light,

Souls, hoping, praying, for just another day

January 14 – The Color Yellow

(to the tune of 'Pop goes the Weasel'; inspired by Chica from 'Five Nights at Freddy's' Series)

'Round the corner, down the hall

Here I come to get you

And when you think you're finally safe

BOO! A killer dressed in yellow

January 15 – Eyes That Can't See

You look at a girl

Smile on her face

Jump in her step

Never seeing beneath the mask

To a spirit, broken,

Tired of fighting

Playing a part to hide from the world

No, you don't see it

You think she has is together

That she's fine

So you push her down

Stab her with words and glares

Ignore the scars and beat the broken

If only your eyes could see

January 16 – Renovate

Abba, you see the beauty in my broken soul

You knit me together, hold me in your hand

You see the magnificence in the mess of my existence

Elyon, create in me a new fire

One that burns away the chaff

Purify me until I reflect your brilliance

And comfort me, El Shaddai,

As we fight to win this battle

January 17 – Chocolate

My drug of choice

So much goodness

Excellent with pretzels, fruit, peanut butter, or alone

Preferred as Reese's, Thin Mints…

Excuse me, I need some NOW!