Someone Else's Slave

Pond’ring pathways in my brain,

Finding phantoms I cannot explain,

Quite assured that I must be

So much more than I can see,

More than earthly life and limb contain…

Wond’ring why I choose to go

Far beyond the reasoned roads I know,

Reaching past forbidden doors,

Tasting fruit with poisoned cores,

Planting furrows that refuse to grow…

Wildly straining to be free,

There’s a chain that shackles me,

Binding conscience with how I behave.

Resignation fills my eyes,

For I’ve come to realize

Everybody is somebody’s slave.

We are precious merchandise,

Purchased once, created twice;

Carried off by cosmic lies,

Who could pay so high a price?

From the land where bonds are free,

To the home where foes are brave,

Jesus came to ransom me

To be Someone else’s slave!

Deathly sure of my repose,

Living for the gods I thought I chose,

Playing fast and loose with fate,

Hoping I’ll pass Heaven’s gate

By some clever logic I’d propose…

Laughing lightly at the laws,

Unseen hands effecting ev’ry cause,

Never noticing their scars

As they feed me through the bars,

Poised to snatch me from hell’s gaping jaws…

They say, “Check the lost and found;

Freedom’s train runs underground!

Angels told us that He came to save…

Child, you ought to know by now,

Let your mind conceive somehow;

Everybody is somebody’s slave.

Brother, fortify your nerve,

Bracing for the final choice.

Choose this day whom you will serve

And discern your shepherd’s voice.

Death’s defenses bursting through

From a resurrection grave,

Jesus came to ransom you

To be Someone else’s slave!”

MNA

12/4/1992