Poetry and Artwork by Ray Ingram

Prayer 4 Mercy
By Ray Ingram

Wanted you to know, B4 the world sets your worth.
That your priceless in value, from the time of your birth.
That your value is more, than dummies might show.
Brush off all the haters, cause what do they know.
Far from a secret, I pray every day.
But listen M’s Kenna, 2 the words that I say.
I pray 4 your happy, I pray 4 your laugh.
I pray 4 your future, and on your behalf.
I pray you find love, everywhere that you look.
I pray you stand strong, and never be shook.
I pray that you give, and receive in return.
I pray 4 good standards, that you’ll teach as you learn.
I pray you find joy, even more than your peers.
I pray 4 a courage, far more than your fears.
Kenna in truth, I just have to say.
Your values much more, than most think 2 pay
But don’t give an inch, to your own self be true.
your perfect as is, so don’t ever change You!

The Word
By Ray Ingram

In the beginning was the word, through which we all came
True light in the dark, Holy Spirit and flame
The word white and black, its red letter as well
Exhibits power to save, spectrum Heaven from Hell
His own knew him not, but as many as do
Become children of GOD, purified through and through
The word became flesh and his glory was shown
Full of grace and truth, NOW he sits on his throne
The word was GOD, always was and will be
In him was life, walk by faith and you’ll see
Healing blind, lame, and sick, paying debts far too high
Bearing sin on Calvary ‘til he breathed Tetelestai
The word is the way, by which we have life
The word is the groom, as we are the wife
The word is unequaled, it stands on its own
Though its word was spoken, it also was shown

Dad From a Distance
By Ray Ingram

Though I can’t change the past or take back all your pain
Or rescind all the hurt, though I attempt it in vain
I’m but a mere man, flesh, bone, and many flaws
Futile as it is, efforts merit just cause
I mentally place your shoes on my feet
Personify your reactions to the troubles you meet
What would I say, or how would I feel
Would I hold it forever, only fester, not heal
Could I forgive and forget and let it all go
Could I extend second chances and heal from the blow
In the end I’m reminded that I’m me and you’re you
You heal as you heal and I do as I do
But I’ll never give up in my job as your dad
I’ll listen whenever, be it good or all bad
But what do I know? My dad was gone too
I share in your anger, I cry some nights too
I wish I had answers to deal with it all
A salve for your heartache, to catch when you fall
I wish I had Band-Aids for all past scraped knees
All hurts on the inside, some way to appease
Though we can’t change the past, we have power, you see
‘Cause our future’s unwritten, you can write it with me

Sesquipedalian Theology
By Ray Ingram

Esoteric to some, veracities to few
Homogenous in stature, modified through and through
Preparation meets opportunity, proximity the key
Comparison the thief, contrasting differences we see
Vernacular is vapid, locutions too long
Ideology no good, without actions all wrong
Instruments for a purpose, testimonies the tome
Imogoday in his image, in faith his lights shone
In mercy and truth, as we wait for the day
All glory to God, without ceasing we pray
Devotion and compassion, salvation for free
Redemptive forgiveness for you and for me
Now tonight as you lay tucked in your bed
Thank Jesus you’re living, by the blood that he shed

Perspective
By Ray Ingram

It is to isn’t, what can is to can’t
Perspective is the key, is you is, is you ain’t
Is the cup but half empty, in need of a fill
Or be it half full and you need but to chill
Can you see what you got, no matter how much
Is little a plenty, be it a word or a touch
A lot is a little, a little a lot
It’s all in perspective, and less what you’ve got
So when assessing the cares of the day
Be less apt to worry and more prone to pray

Love
By Ray Ingram

Love’s the emotion I’ve known oh so long
I’ve written its letters, I sing all its songs
I give in abundance to all I hold dear
Unconditionally given, through blood, sweat and tear
The line that it draws, most say is so thin
Tossed around much too quickly or considered a sin
Sometimes it’s a secret or completely unknown
Others miraculous, even outrageously shown
No matter the way it reveals its design
Represent to the fullest, never leave it behind
Never lose heart and never give in
Make known to your loved ones how you feel from within
Give how you want to receive, all in love
Though always be shrewd, be gentle as doves
Now I leave as I came, with uplifting the word
It’s often best shown, far less what is heard

BB, Rayn, Princess
By Ray Ingram

Rayn is pure beauty and she reigns in my heart
She’s hard to keep up with, ‘cause she’s just too dang smart
All the planets aligned and the stars they did shine
The day she was born, this angel of mine
In gray skies or rain, she brightens my day
With uniqueness of laughter, or a word she may say
Her essence reminds me how blessed that I be
How she sees past my flaws and just loves her some me
I pray every day that life gives her the best
Be it people who care or acing a test
That the boys she may date see the princess inside
That she remember her worth and never put it aside
That all she encounters makes her happy, not sad
That she’s never too cool for her mom or her dad
As she grows and matures, may the hard times be few
Give her friends who will love her, who will always be true
Only rainbows and glitter and everything nice
May she learn her life lessons, never visit them twice
May she even find beauty, when surrounded in rain
May she grow in the good times and learn from the pain
May she know that I love her, that her knowings are real
To her daddy she’s special, and she’s such a big deal

My Destiny
By Ray Ingram

As my fate would have it, great fortune unknown.
though far from my knowledge, an angel was grown.
August the eighth, in the year of 0 three.
from one gorgeous mother, and a little from me.
coursings with in her, blood equal of mine.
her beauty unheard of, our destinies twine.
as I study her pictures, I cry to myself.
though not of remorse, but of my great wealth.
O’ LORD do I pray, from the heart in my chest.
I ask she be happy; I ask she be blessed!
that she only encounter, those who lift her up high!
that her hearts never broken, that her eyes never cry!
that she helps those in need and be helped in return.
that she finds answers quickly, that true kindness she learns!
that she knows how I love her, and the depth of my care!
how my heartbeat doth strengthen, in just knowing she there!
her existence my blessing, no grey skies all blue.
Elena my angel, you’re my destiny come true!!!

Yahweh
By Ray Ingram

I searched for the answer, pondered enigmas unknown
Through bottomless waters and dark valleys alone
I’ve listened, I’ve studied, the journey so real
I’ve asked, I’ve seeked, and knocked with much zeal
At times I felt weak, nearly missing the mark
Though weary, found strength, true light in the dark
Struggle daily with flesh, sin causing me strife
Believing in Jesus, by his blood I have life
But I know talk is cheap, through the lips one will lie
I must take up my cross, to the world I must die
The mystery simple, some call it the way
His name is Lord Jesus, and his father Yahweh

Thief in the Night
By Ray Ingram

If you asked for a little but were given much more,
If he told you to knock, would you look for the door?
If seeking you found, the promise proved true,
Would you love him wholehearted, and your neighbor love too
Could you pray for an enemy as well as a friend
Would you seek first the kingdom and leave the rest up to him
Would you tremble and delight, drawing nearer each day
Or confess all your sins, and on knees would you pray
The path may be slender but his burden is light
The end will come swiftly as a thief in the night

Sky View Boogie!!!
By Ray Ingram

so what day is it, and when is chow?
I focus the small, as not to allow.
my mind to subdue all pertinent facts,
a sentinel ready no time to relax.
even as such I can’t always find,
a friend in this place a time to unwind.
mind effervescent and totally wild,
less visage of a man nay merely a child.
a constant struggle awaiting the day,
my enemies lessen dear GOD do i pray.
never unmoved by others dismay,
while loaning a book hunger more for a tray.
the water so bad the room to dang cold,
most nights I can’t sleep my sanity throwed.
and what is the answer where’s my pot of gold,
I never cause ruckus nothing ever so bold.
and always mindful to say magic words,
catching more flies with honey, though don’t flies prefer terds.
at the end of the day what enigmas unfold,
a suicide blanket walls covered in mold.
I must admit if given the chance,
I’d rather wear clothes no drug induced trance.
with all that I’ve said though nothing in stone,
I’m merely a man I stand all alone.
but don’t cry for me I’d never ask that,
only help the next man no matter his race be he skinny or fat!

Slow Boogie!!!
By Ray Ingram

sometimes I think about her,
not fully understanding why.
it hurts so bad it tears me up,
why did she have to die!
I’ve never been a great man,
never earning what I keep.
why couldn’t GOD have chosen me,
to fall into that sleep.
she never caused no problems,
never caused no one no harm.
my LORD I know u called her,
but I miss her in my arms.
I’m so sorry for my down falls,
I’ll try to be a better man.
I pray I’ll see her one more time,
dear GOD by grace I hope I can.
she’s missed by so many,
birthdays cut to few.
she never knew your loving grace.
but now her home is next to you!!!

Top to Bottom
By Ray Ingram

I can not juggle,
and my favorite food would be you.
I’m from the country,
so no need for a zoo.
and my super power would be so extreme,
it would be to make real what is fake in a dream.
nonfiction from fiction that’s only the start,
I wouldn’t fight crime I’d fight for your heart.
that game tic tac toe just wouldn’t be fair,
I’d win every time just having you there.
so from start to finish,
top to bottom it’s true.
you complete me my princes,
and I’ll always love you!!!

Shared
By Ray Ingram

whether heartache or joy, it’s better with two,
to lessen the hurt, or double with few.
to share half the load, or enjoy with a friend,
to struggle alone, or bridges to mend.
though able to travel the road all alone,
roads never so weary where friendship is shone.
now success is success that’s easy to see,
but alone even winning is victory free.
so hurt is divided by someone who care,
and joys are doubled with someone to share.
may joys be the many and hurts be the few,
and friendships abound, but always be true!!!

Efforts of Love
By Ray Ingram

no matter my efforts, to devise just the way,
or define with mere words, what my heart needs to say.
sometimes I come close, tho I still miss the mark,
cause nothing quit says, what I feel in my heart.
you always come thru, no matter what may arise,
my heart simply stops, when I look in your eyes.
I’ll never deserve half the love that you give,
putting smiles on your face the reason I live.
I know its so little and selfish its true,
but life found true meaning the day I met you.
alpha omega, fast forward rewind,
my heart you were given, and all of my time!!!

Passing
By Ray Ingram

Oh Dear Lord, How many I’ve lost
How to tally the score, nothing equal the cost
A broken heart left to bleed on its own
Tears of anguish, hopes, and dreams never known
An empty shell buried six feet to the measure
Devoid personality, no breath, and no pleasure
Too often few words are the last parting gift
But whose words in this parody could anyone shift
And they say the eyes are the path to one’s soul
A grievance I say cause who the hell knows
Every one so quick to say this or that
Only appeasing self-pity, spewing words much to fat
And only when a loved one must pass
Does anyone take time or exude any class
But I say all of this with a heart full of love
Just knowing the import of the man above
Now I must say adieu, and come to the end
But never take for granted your family and friends

No Fear
Ray Ingram
Say what you will about this, or of that
with skin much too thin, or opinions too fat
Not a care in the world for others’ dismay
worried only for self, not the cost others pay
I say with a smile, though meanings ring true
if that’s all we’re about, if that’s all that we do
can we call ourselves human, is life nay but a sin
can we exhibit some scruples, can we call ourselves men
that can’t be the way, intel has to be wrong
Still want for yourself, but bring others along
Count it not less, only the more
of course love yourself, but count others a joy
Our purpose is simple, our path oh so clear
love neighbor as self, for with God there’s no fear