Where Time Stands Still

I found myself in desperate hope -
I couldn't sing, I couldn't cope
with city's noise that so annoys
and racing time as sin destroys.

Among the city's working slave
and the great ocean's pounding wave,
the time slipped past and flowed so fast.
I prayed for peace - that it would last.

I'd often pray while I would dream
of peaceful life beside a stream -
where acorns drop from high atop
the tallest trees - where time would stop.

Alarmingly high from rocky ledge -
through prayer I found the river's edge.
But there were graves in ocean caves
where men sought shelter from the waves.

I climbed down from my lofty pride
where many stumbled, many died.
In danger, pled I, humble cry
that I should live and never die.

Confessing I, reached deep within
repenting of my ev'ry sin.
And when I found that solid ground,
the grasses, green, were all around.

For all the beauty I did thank
my God along that river bank.
In answered prayer, without a care -
through faithfulness, I found Him there.

And then upstream, a path I took
along a creek, then bubbling brook.
Continued I, to walk on by
all other things that caught my eye.

The water clear, refreshing, clean
was prettier than ever seen.
As if possessed, I couldn't rest -
so feet pressed on. I was His guest.

Beside His living, bubbling spring.
I found my voice and I can sing.
It is so sweet. It is complete.
All time stands still with no repeat.

I tarry there in peaceful prayer.
I'm in His arms and do not care
for futile lies and futile cries
of man's deceptions as he dies.

His living spring of water lives!
It never takes - but always gives.
I sought His will and found the thrill
of living where all time stands still.

This poem won second place for the July 2017 poetry contest