Love Like Morons

 Let us Love like morons
Feasting hurriedly on this passion
Before the heartbreak of Sunset
Love is not too big a risk
If lack of it is the alternative there is

Hey
Don't feel silly
Don't be shy
Only fools can Love genuinely
Others, with all their might, may only try
Eventually, perhaps, they'll laugh,
And maybe you'll regret a little or cry
But a laugh though loud will cease
And tears before dawn, surely will dry

So, come, my love
Let us Love like children,
playing in the sands and the rains
Of possibilities
Let us love fervently
Through differences and offences
Enjoying lavishly all the beauty
And pleasure there is to gain

Let us,
Before the troubles, heartaches
And enemies of glee awake
Launch far from the reach
of fear and wisdom
For wise men can't love, my dear
So, come now
Let us love how we must

Let us Love like homeless, helpless, morons!

Merciless!

 Why do you torment me
Ravaging my attention
With the poise of your lips
And with colours, contours and motions
that sink my composure
Look at the blush on your cheeks
And the brilliance of your smile
Whisperings, things only my heart can hear
From millions of miles away
My doom is clear,
Your dimples have made my ruin complete
There is certainly no hope for me now, my dear

Where did you forge your sword
How did you craft your spears
When did you stretch your arm
Tell me, please
Why do you thrust so deep
While we yet speak
Why is your beauty so pure and merciless
When my poor defenseless soul already submits
Now I must desire you, or nothing else
Oh! Look how hopeless I have become

My dear, tell me
Why did you do this
Why have you done this absolutely beautiful thing to me

A Penny for Your Friend

"Bro, that person is not your friend"

"An acquaintance, maybe, but definitely not your friend." 

That was the response I got after my narration. And perhaps, that was all I needed to fix up.

I needed to face the truth, head on. I love friendships. But, las las, all friend no be friend. It is what it is!

The term "friend" these days refers to many sorts of relationships. Many, quite unworthy of the title in its true sense.

Because, the truth is, genuine friendship has significant cost implications (time, inconvenience, clear communication,  commitment, vulnerability, accountability, thoughtfulness and empathy, emotional and material sacrifices).

Not all "friends" signed up for these, really.

What some people truly seek is a convenient association, an activity partner, a standby companion, an on-call helper, a social buddy, a friendly colleague or jovial acquaintance, etc. And you can't really blame them for wanting what they want.

So, don't be too quick to set up friendship expectations purely based upon your own idealisation. Don't be too hard on people, and on yourself. Be careful to resist the urge of assuming that your idea of the "friendship" is the same as the other party's, to avoid 'friendship frustration'.

If you are a friendship lover, like me, your heart may make this a little hard. But try. If you pay attention enough, you can eventually realise the proper definition of what exists between you guys, and you can intentionally adjust your expectations or investments accordingly.

It may be a little heartbreaking or disappointing, but nobody will die! Rather, you will be better guided and definitely less stressed. You will be alright, las las.

Life is complex enough. Friendship should make it easier, right?

 Happy Friendship-ing!

Love At Third Sight

There was this girl I knew when I was a lot younger. Smart child. Fun fo be with. Nice family. I honestly didn't know a lot of these things about her initially. I knew her name though, and she knew mine, I'm sure. Our parents had stuff to do together. But we hardly even spoke. We just knew ourselves from afar. And we were basically kids then. If play did not bring us within the same space, probably nothing else would. That was then.

Some years later. My brother somehow happened to get more familiar with her and her family and that eventually led to me establishing a rapport with her too. For a brief period I became something like a big brother. She had just rounded off secondary school (high school) and was planning for Uni. I was already in Uni, so there was a lot to talk about (And,as you probably already know, I like to talk), and she liked it. We would sit in at our house and gist a lot. We hung out once or twice. Had some really cool moments. I also attended one or two of their family events. Good times. But holiday was over, I had to go back to school. She had to start Uni. Life happened.

But not immediately. I got back to school feeling like I liked her. I remember my roommate and flatmates teasing me a couple of times then. They were certain I had 'caught' something which I returned with to school. According to them something was making me happy and it definitely had something to do with my summer break in Nigeria and that picture I recently placed on my corner of the wall of my small room. (Yes o, I put up her picture. Nope, she never knew about it). While I wouldn't admit that they were right, I couldn't deny I liked the idea of having her around and in my thoughts. At least for a while. Although I had tried a lot to convince myself that "we're family friends." " she's just like the younger sister I didn't have." "I'm just very proud of her." My roommate wasn't buying it. And frankly, I can't say I was totally convinced myself. But that phase didn't last forever. Like I said, life happened and for many years we basically went out of touch.

I had returned Nigeria after Uni. Our parents weren't quite in the same space anymore. She was in a different city, studying. I did NYSC, travelled for my masters. Returned. Started working. Many years went by. I honestly didn't quite have her on my mind anymore (nor was I having any girl other on my mind). Everyone was dealing with life, trying to make progress and secure a good future. I had now been in some relationships that didn't work out. I think I had also heard something about her being in a serious relationship that was about to lead to marriage, or so. Well, Time passed sha.

Then recently (I won't tell you how recently lol) my brother sent me her number to contact her regarding some information my family needed. She seemed in a position to help. I called. We talked a bit, but mostly about the matter for which my brother passed me her number. It wasn't very convenient to talk well so agreed to defer the talk to a better time. A few days passed. Then suddenly, and very coincidentally, our paths crossed again.

One fine morning. I was about to take a commercial vehicle. As I walked closer, someone called out my name; the name I was known by as a child. Ghen ghen! I was pleasantly surprised. It was her! We were about to get into the same vehicle. She was dressed very very simply and casually. Yet looked so good. At least to me. She sounded quite welcoming, lively and happy to see me too. We hugged. She quickly introduced me to her aunt who was with her. It felt so good to see her again. Wow! It's been ages! Mehn..."why does this feel so good?" I probed within myself. It didn't take too many minutes and I already felt like something was happening to my system. Something had sprung to life in me. She still sounds so jovial, so smart and so herself. She still likes my gisting. She still has quite a good memory of the past. She's still a lot of what I used to like about her. I like this girl! Lord is this a sign? Is this love at third sight?

I quickly sent my brother a text, telling him who I'd just met and how it felt good seeing her. He replied with 'haha' and a smiley. I know what that means. That's like "all the best bro" or "don't forget to give me update o". Anyways, she had no clue what was happening. We just gisting and kept rying to catch up while on the trip. Although I had become a lot calmer within me by the end of the trip, it definitely wasn't the end of what was happening inside of me. There was something about this girl that had me latched on so fast, well and joyfully. I'm liking her. I'm wanting to rebuild our once-upon-a-time fondness. Lord, is this your handiwork? Did you just mercifully set this up to help my 'ministry' ? ('Cos I was starting to lose energy for this whole relationship thing o). Mehn... Lord, "shall we pursue...?" I need You to help me here o, I prayed that same evening. Very seriously. I cannot afford to 'jones' mehn.

Obviously she isn't married yet so there's still a good chance, right? But what if she's engaged already, or in a very serious relationship? What if she still likes me, but not quite that way? What if she's just being very nice and welcoming as a person or for old times sake? Many thoughts rushed through my head as I contemplated how best to proceed with her. Maybe just try and stay friends for now? Won't it be time wasting, since she's an adult now and seemingly very ripe for something serious and long term (marriage)? What if some sharper guy grabs her while I'm still trying to just be friends first? Lord, help me here manhn. I didn't stop praying.

To cut the story short, we've had some really long phone calls. We've hung out once already and it went quite well. We stayed out quite late and still gisted outside her house for a while before we finally called it a night. We've also talked about some past events and including some past relationships. I've learnt a bit more about her now. And I still like her a lot. I want to keep this going. I want to keep talking, hang out some more and get closer. But now she's in another relationship. So, this young man is in a tricky place.

Is it still okay to keep pushing for this closeness I so much desire? Should I just tell her how I feel asap and leave the ball in her court? Would that be fair? Should I just be a friend and communicate the "I really like you and want something more" in other non-verbal ways?

The Bible says "In the multitude of counsel, there is safety."

So what's your counsel?

Penitent's Plea

No Retreat. No reparation
This is not that kind of sin
To request forgiveness is
To thrust some more in
The knife that pierced her skin

I'm sorry Father
For the hurt my thoughts might bring
A tender innocent soul
That does surely not deserve
The lust my depths conceal

To ask for mercy is luxury
I know I even remotely can't afford
Just grant me you will
Catch her precious heart
When I miss my step and fall

Look What you've Done

Life was simple
Till you smiled
In that pretty long dress
Everything changed!

There standing
A two-legged tripod
I became. Hypnotised
By the scent of your candid soul
And corners of your gorgeous frame
The steady texture of your tones
Enticing me more
This is chaos!

But please stay
Let's take one more sip of chance
Let's drive some more into the night
Give me a moment more to try
To find my feet again

I'll say goodnight tomorrow
If today was just a dream
Till then I'll embrace these shadows
Wow!
Look what you've done to me.

Hard Chase

Like a mirage, I chase
You elude me
Charmed by your light
Hey, hello, hi, Excuse me
Exquisitely striding on
Yet effortlessly
You confuse me
With confidence and beauty
So elegant yet subtly
You refuse me

O, virtous woman!
Just a word or two
Let me hear you speak to me
You just might want this too
And If perharps you're shy
Then maybe just a nod would do
But don't expect I'll go
Before you taste my love for you

(Originally written 7th May, 2019)

Dead Men Don't Dance

We held our dusty hands
Paced steadily towards doom
Ten thousand men
From different ends of reality
charging into another
Breaths heavy as bricks
Hearts dipped in blood
Destiny came to spill
Today. This moment. Nothing Next.

Darkness everywhere
No future to see
But the fading soul of a fellow man
The widow and orphan in his eyes
The gates pf another hell
And the power of god
In the swing of my right arm
His farewell was brief

My tone, thirsting for water
Stuggles to forget the taste of blood
As five-year old innocence approaches
Proudly, swingong a wooden sword
Rejoicing with a tune on her lips
"Dance, Papa. Dance!"
"We crushed our enemies like ants"

No words to say
No muscle clould harken
All I saw was tears filling my eyes
How can she ever understand

Dead men dont dance!

(Originally written 5th June, 2019)

Never So Much

I have loved like a fool

Desired the chaos of souls colliding

Recklessly laid beside cold blades of chance

Seduced helplessly by hope

Terribly overwhelmed

By the existence of another

Mehn...

I have loved like a child

Clingy nights and colourful dreams

Unashamedly craving the simplest things

Dancing gleefully with an unguarded heart

Yet blindly trusting time

To be ever so kind

I have really loved

Like a songwriter and poet

I wrote, spoke and sang words

Broadcast my feelings

With no thought of regret

Never so much

Have I loved another soul

Like I have loved you

Seed and Juice

We found us a fruit
The seed and the juice
To split or to choose
We split and we lose
Your choice was the juice
Yout thought I'll refuse

But I didn't

Give me the seed
I have some faith
I'll put in some work
It will take some time

But I'll give you the sweetest juice
And I'll show you a fruit-ful plantation
Then you will call me a blessed man
I will smile in reply

"My brother, na God o!"

(Originally written 05/06/2019)

Things I Want

I want to love you

Every single day

Hold and touch you

In every single way

Whisper to your ears

Deep things

Unshareable

Yet fascinating

I want to call your name

In the sweetest possible tones

Softly, dramatically

Mischievously, majestically

Innocent and suggestlively

Every shade of loving

I want to be with you

Till my nose learns your scent

Eyes closed

I'll know when you're there

And all my clothes

Carry strands of your hair

I want to play

Fight and settle with you

Tease and prank you

Make you laugh recklessly

Shy and blush endlessly

I want to grow with you

Make mistakes and learn with you

Share regrets and joys

Make memories and milestones

I want to be your 'main gee'

Sincerent mirror

Biggest fan

Prayer partner

Surest friend

I want to entertain you

Performing exclusive act

Write you poems daily

Sing you songs often

Dance embarrassingly

Moves you've never seen

I want to go on and on

Many things I want

Inexaustible in words

Or maybe just three

I want you

To be happy, and with me

I want a life with you

And I want your response

(Originally written October 31, 2018)

Learn!

Learn, young man. Learn!
Quit apologies
Quit excuses and learn!

Quit justifications and 'self-pathy'
Quit all this rubbish!

Learn!

There's no missing it here
Now or later
This life or after
Willfully or not
but certainly.

You must Learn!

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry for being who I wasn't
I'm sorry for being who I was
I'm sorry for doing what I wouldn't
And sorry for doing what I did

I'm very sorry and even more ashamed
For crushing your trust and bringing you pain
I admit the terrible decision I made
I feel the guilt like blood through my vain

An ocean of apology is grossly insufficient
And would any other words I attempt to say
So please accept my deepest regret
If forgiveness is too much to ask today

I'm very sorry I looked so trustworthy all along
Earned your trust then eventually proved you wrong
I'm sorry for the first words I ever spoke to you
I'm sorry for the good, the bad and all I've ever done to you

Say Something

Say yes
Or say no
But don't say nothing

Say what's on your mind
But don't say everything's okay
Or that you're fine
Don't always be hoping
I'll wait to find out with time
Say it now
Lest I make silence your crime

Say what you want or what is wrong
Say what you think or wish be done

I can't promise I'll surely incline to all you have to say
But still i crave you speak them clearly today

Say something, take the risk, escape the danger
That I'll eventually become your closest stranger
For one day, this silence I'll cease to condemn
And find the prospect of peace in them


Say yes
Or say no
But just say something

Because I love you

Because I love you

I’ll teach you how to live this life

I’ll make you wise and show you the tricks to survive

Just listen and learn

Hearken to my instructions

I know all you need to

I’ll help you

Because I love you

I’ll share with you my mediocrity

I’ll offer you the very advice that limited me

I’ll teach you all the wrong things I learnt from trusted tutors

Embrace my gifts to you; timidity and cowardice…you’ll need them

Don’t stand up for truth and justice, they often cost too much

Don’t risk failure, even if it promises great success, true joy and personal fulfillment later on

Right things don’t always work here… so please pursue what does

I know you may not quite get it now

But still I’m taking the pains to tell you this

Because I love you

I won’t let you make the same mistake

I won’t watch you carry a heavy cross

I won’t let you be a Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr or a Jesus

No! I love you too much for that.

I want you around, I want you well,

I want you prospering; even though in cyclical nothingness

I want to see you great; it’s a worthy exchange for heroic purposefulness

I wish you well my friend, my student, my brother, my son and dear colleague

Please forgive me if I sound too caring

I mean you no harm

It’s simply because I love you

That’s why I’ve refused to entertain your queries

See, I don’t care whether or not you agree

And it doesn’t really matter to me that you might be a revolutionary

You are just being naive …there’s little sense you could make right now

You just can’t be right enough to do different!

You can’t be wiser than all of us who’ve walked this path

You can only be like us or worse

So please heed my loving guidance

‘Cos I hope to lovingly welcome you to a ‘safe’ future of shallowness
I'm whole hardheartedly inviting you now

Because I love

I’ll give you all you need that I have

though I don’t have your next breath

I’ll tell you all you need to know

though I don’t know tomorrow

I’ll bear with you every of your load

though you’ll have to handle your own regrets

I’ll guide you through all of life

though you’ll eventually stand alone to give account before God

See how much I can do for you?

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!

My Life

I've hardly earned anything...
the breath I breathe,
the days I've lived,
the wonderful people I've known,
the opportunities I've had,
the 'successes' I've enjoyed,
the cash I've spent,
the respect I've received.
Probably why many times I take them for granted
And mess things up really bad before I know it.
Absolutely why I really can't complain if someohow I lose it all.

I never really deserved anything
The only claim I can make is being loved
And a promise that I'll always be

This is no poem!...This is my life!

That Was The Plan!

At that time, everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. How could this be? This shouldn’t be! The man we had come to believe as our savior has been taken as a prisoner. Worse, he is on death row! Something is not right! But he was genuine. He did wonders! Real tangible, perceivable wonders! Things we had never seen before. Without a doubt, he is the savior. So why this? How come? How can? Or is this another one of his works? Perhaps this is the climax of his demonstration of power. Perhaps this was designed to publicly shame the unbelievers…Perhaps he will destroy the enemies, make a public show of them and become the King he was proclaimed to be in such a way that no one can deny. Is that it? But it doesn’t seem like it. Things are getting worse. He is experiencing real pain! He’s shedding real tears! He’s hurting! He’s bleeding! No, it’s not a script… It’s not a trick…He’s in real trouble now. But he was the Christ! Or was it a false claim like many of us had suspected? But he proved it many times. John spoke of him. Scriptures appeared to all be pointing to him. Even God publicly backed him. God never opposed his claims. Something must be wrong! Something must have gone wrong! Or has God deserted him? Where’s his power? Where’s the authority he seemed to have over everything; man, nature, spirits? He’s dying now! On a cross! He’s hurting for real! His bones are breaking! Look, see his arms and feet are shaking! His muscles are tearing apart! His eyes are twitching. Oh no! This can’t be! Something must be wrong…this makes no sense! This can’t be right! And wow, he died!

At that time, everything that could go wrong went wrong. How could this be? He’s lost everything in one day! Everything but his life. They’re all gone! Just like that! His oxen, all of them. The whole five hundred of them! His seven thousand sheep, gone! His three thousand camels, five hundred donkeys and all his servants; all gone! In one day! Just like that! Like that was not enough… the big blow comes. His seven sons and three daughters! Gone! What on earth is going on?! Such a righteous man!  Blameless and upright! What can you accuse him of? What wrong has he ever done? Whom has he ever offended? Who can lay a charge against him…from where shall his accuser even emerge? Even God acknowledges of his righteousness! We have never seen a more perfect man that him. But look! Look at all this that is happening to him. This should not be! How can this be! Such a favoured and blessed man. He was deserving of everything he owned! So why this? This makes no sense! The righteous shouldn’t suffer, talk less of this measure. And while this breaks our hearts and boggles our minds…it gets worse. Boils! From the sole of his feet to the top of his head! Now this is no joke…this is seriously another level. God must be angry with him. No righteous man should be afflicted like this! This is definitely God on his case. This is a higher level of torment! This is a curse! This is God’s fury upon him. Perhaps he wasn’t as righteous as we all thought. Perhaps he had a secret sin we all knew nothing about! Perhaps, all his outward goodness was just a show to cover up the evil in his heart. God has exposed him! God’s justice has fallen upon him! His cup is full! That has to be it. Else why should he suffer like this? If he were as righteous as he claimed and we thought God surely wouldn’t let this happen to him! But how can we be sure? He wouldn’t confess to anything despite all this pain. He cannot be persuaded by anyone. Not even his wife and pals can pressure him to admitting his sin. Even the hardest of hearts will melt into confession at the taste of such affliction. They’ll admit their sin and beg for mercy. But he wouldn’t. This makes no sense! There’s definitely something out of place. Something is wrong somewhere. Hmmnnn!

What could have gone wrong?! I share the same puzzle as I write this. I should be studying for my next paper tomorrow but I’ve spent the past couple of hours resisting the temptation of vocalizing my questions. I’m even battling them from within my heart. Trying to convince myself of how I don’t need the answers. But denying my curiosity to know will be a big lie! Why did what happened today happen? I sat there and my head felt light. I had solved the questions before the exam. I didn’t skip them while studying. I practiced and made sure I could solve it again and again without referring to the solutions. I solved that particular one at least four times. I memorized the formulas and made a formula sheet out of them. They were many formulas and they had to be memorized. And I memorized them all. And I checked to make sure I could reproduce them. I prayed in the morning. I prayed before starting the paper. What went wrong? Was I too tired? But I slept at night. I even took a nap at the library before continuing my study earlier in the day just to make sure I wasn’t mentally worn out. So what did I do wrong?

 It just didn’t make sense to me as I stared at the same question I had solved over and again and couldn’t put my pen on the sheet. I switched to the pencils hoping I could scribble out the formulas and figure things out from there. But the formulas just won’t come out right. Suddenly they became confusing. Some of them were totally beyond reach. Totally! What?!! One hour to go and I knew nothing else to write. And this is the same module I got a 24/25 in the course work. I only needed to answer two out of the three questions to get a 75% ; an A. And If I answered all three questions that would be a wonderful score and that was what I hoped for. But I had practiced those two questions very well to at least secure those marks. So what happened?! I sat there asking myself the same question as I watched the clock tick away and my neighbour fill up his script and leave the hall. Wow!!! Something was not right! I prayed. Mehn, I prayed! I practiced too; very well. It just didn’t make sense. Still doesn’t. So “Lord why?” was the question lingering at the door of my lips. I thought we had agreed this would be the highlight of my result. I thought I had just glorified You a few days ago when I shared the testimony of my great score in the coursework with some friends from fellowship. I thought You were proud to have made me score the highest in my class such that it was easier to relate with all other smart guys in my class whom I had hoped I would be able to reach out to sometime.  I thought the plan was to make me stand out and give me a great testimony with this module; a testimony with which I could encourage those that look up to me. But look now. I’m blank! For something I had rehearsed. Was it that I should have practiced more times? But the last time I scored a 91% I don’t think I even practiced a single question four times like I did for this one. I didn’t even memorise formulas like this. Or should I have giving my head some more rest before the exam? But how can I stay in bed when You had told me what to study and I didn’t want to take that favour for granted? I cannot claim I did everything right. But I honestly cannot see my fault here. I thought everything had gone okay before that moment. But the moment after persuades me to believe something must have gone wrong somewhere. This makes no sense!

So I return to my room, smiling in inexplicable amazement of what just happened. I get home, drop my bag, take of my shoes and worship. I reluctantly get off my bed after a nap and then go for a shower. While at that I keep battling with the questions in my head and how I still cannot concretely blame myself for my experience today. But then I keep recalling the passage (Job 40-42) which I was led to read last night - where You replied job for his attempted contention against You. So I smile again and step back from my confidence. Then I am reminded of the questions You posed to Job. I am reminded of how Your sovereignty is beyond my comprehension. I am reminded of how the death of Christ appeared to be in total contradiction to ‘the plan.’  So much that Christ in that moment of pain sincerely felt “forsaken.” It was always the plan! But it hardly made sense at that time! Same for Job and perhaps for me.

Also, I realize it is okay for me to be puzzled now. It is okay for people to assume this is Your punishment to me for something I have done; pride, maybe. I realize it is okay for my experience to be inconsistent with what people had imagined of me or thought about me. It is okay for me to feel bad and ‘mourn.’ But only as long as I realize deep within my heart that You are faithful and sovereign and in control of everything. And oh yes, I do!

While the present is more apparent to all who may see, I yearn, dear Lord, for the end of the story. Because I know deep within my spirit that You do not fail the righteous. So this had to be Your plan. Yes! This was the plan!

So I write this post in all boldness and not afraid to share it with the world. So that Your glory will be undeniable when you reveal the end according to your own divine timing. Then, without a doubt they shall know…You do not fail the righteous! That you were in control all the while. Yes, then it shall be very clear. 

That was the plan!

Don't Trust Me

I thought I knew myself but too often was I wrong
Too often I found weakness in places I thought I was strong
Please do not trust me

I've badly bruised the ones I honestly love
And often broken their hearts with mine
I've made vows with words of extreme confidence
And watched them to lies incline
So let me beg you... while you love me
Please do not trust me

Please realise,
I am very imperfect
But my blemishes seem to hide perfectly
Beneath my pursuit of a better me
I'm thankful for the good you may have seen
But I'm honestly not proud of who sometimes I have been

I thought I knew myself but too often was I wrong
Too often I found weakness in places I thought I was strong
But the truth is one thing I'll always owe to you.
Only trust me if God clearly promised you could

.

I Fear

  

In trying to improve you

I'll change you

In trying to shield you

I'll weaken you

In trying to teach you

I'll limit you

In trying to show you

I'll obstruct you

In waiting patiently for you

I'll miss the cue

In praying the best for you

I'll pray myself away from you

I'm afraid

But still...

I'll help you improve

I'll try to shield you

What I've learned, I'll teach you

All I've seen I'll show you

I'll be patient with you

I'll keep praying for you

And if eventually I find my fears are true

I'll be sad...but still, I'll be proud of you

Psalm 151

For You have covered my frailty with favour and my mistakes with mercy
With loving kindness You have rebuked my doubtfulness and upon me have You generously showered Your grace.
Oh! How vile you will be, oh my soul, to distrust the Lord one more day
How wicked you will be to question Him yet again
Has He not rescued thee from the shadow of uncertainty?
Has He not performed beyond what you deserve?

Rejoice, my soul, rejoice!
Sing praise to His name evermore and forget not His benefits.

For He has spared you from the shame that awaited like a snare
And from the deceit of self-belief He has saved you
To them who may have asked secretly "now where is his God?," He has replied
Even to your inner probings, has He responded

Many trust in horses and chariots
On the sweat of their head and the strain of their muscles do they rely
But in You oh Lord do I trust!
On You oh Lord do I depend
For You are good and Your way is ALWAYS perfect.

Blessed be the Lord, My God!