Jesus, My Jesus: two poems by Clara Klein

cross, image by Jeff Jacobs, on Pixabay

Return to Childhood

All our lives we were

Champing at the bit to

Grow up

Get out there

Make an impact

Then therapists told us

We were missing something

And needed to nurture

Our “inner child.”

What is it about childhood

That would benefit us

Through our adult lives?

It’s not being childish

It’s to be child-like

To regrasp that innocent naïveté

To reawaken the sense of wonder

Be curious, amazed

And eager to learn

The body ages

But our heart and spirit

Do not have to senesce

If we see the joy in life

Every day. If we

Find opportunities for kindness

Compassion and love.

I want to exit with joyance

For what has been

And exuberance for what will be.

  *

Jesus, My Jesus

(A litany of all the desires of my heart) 

Jesus, my Jesus,

            Dry my tears.

Jesus,

            Ease the pain.

Jesus, my Jesus,

            Comfort my heart.

Jesus,

            Give me love.

Jesus, my Jesus,

            Keep me safe.

Jesus,

            Banish my fears.

Jesus, my Jesus,

            Give me your peace.

Jesus,

            Help me be quiet.

Jesus,

            Keep my eyes on you.

Jesus,

            Help me try.

Jesus,

            Fill me with your grace.

Jesus,

            Don’t leave my side.

Jesus, my Jesus,

           Take charge of my life.

Jesus,

            I want to be with you.

Oh, Jesus, my Jesus,

            Have mercy on me.

Clara Klein is a 30-plus year veteran Christian writer. Her works have

been published in God and Nature Magazine, Agape Review, Valiant

Scribe, and Words of the Lamb. She has authored many prayers, poems,

devotions, and essays. 

November 2024 issue