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As I Lay Dying

June 1, 2013
By TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
More by this author
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

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My head rests,
On a cold wet stone,
Slick with my blood,
As my voice darkens its tone.

"Do not fear death"
A voice whispers within
But it did not account
For all of my unpaid sin

There was once offered in my life
Salvation for free
But I denied it all so fast
For a vain pleasure spree.

All the wealth and riches
Were so easily acquired
They brought me momentary comfort
And the many things I desired

The women were plenty
And the drugs were cheap
I never would have guessed
They’d cause my eternal sleep

All throughout life
I got everything good
Except this unfortunate event
That laid me flat where I stood

As my mind fades from this life
My vision blurs white
And I cry out in relief
As beauty fills my sight

The numb pain is gone
My soul lifts from my body, free
And existence of heaven
Becomes my reality

A figure in glowing white
Manifests itself before me
And I push myself towards it
When I should have turned to flee

Glory fills my sight
And my being cries out in disbelief
As my Maker stands before me
His face, pain stricken with grief

The second I see His slack features
I knew He would not let me in
His bowed back, sagging shoulders
Showing his pain held within

"I loved you with all my being,
I gave up my very life,
To see that you'd be happy
Eternally free from pain and strife"

His voice shakes like deep thunder
As tears drop down on His hands
A hole in the center of each wrist
That held Him crucified in ancient lands

The mark made by cruel nails
They pierce my very soul
And I realize my past life's purpose
Was different than His intended goal

I did not live for Jesus
As He had lived for me
Perfect justice must be served
Despite my broken plea

"I gave you everything in life,
All was handed to you,"
He said as His glory fades
"Now what for me did you do?"

Swirling in an uncontrollable storm
These thoughts fill my mind
Is it too late to be redeemed?
Can I be forgiven for being so blind?

I cry when I think of the darkness
I don't want to feel Hell's flame
Can I stop myself from being,
This defective piece in this defective game?

"Forgive me my transgressions
Please make me like brand new
I repent now of my wrongs
I promise to live life for you”

Oh how I wish I could have seen
The burden of sin on my shoulder
And watched as my guilt built up
To sit on my back growing colder

I promise to live anew
Though my cheeks are streaked from crying
And my soul lifts up in hope
In this moment as I lay dying

© Ty B., Oak Bluffs, MA

The author's comments:
The title is inspired by the band As I Lay Dying. However I do not listen to them. Other than that its really just kindof a dark poem about the idea that we have only a limited amount of time to change our lives, because no one knows when they are going to die. I've chosen to be a Christian not just because I'm afraid of going to Hell, but also because I think it is an honorable thing to live morally and correctly, not to mention Christianity is the only religion that I have found to be reliable (I'm not trying to bash on anyone, just saying). Please rate, comment, and stay tuned for more!
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This article has 10 comments.

TargonTheDragon GOLD said...
on Oct. 1 2014 at 10:23 pm
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

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thank you very much! Im not on TI much anymore, and i have since this decided i am not much of a writer. but evey now and then a wave of inspiration will come about, and i will post something. however, thanks for likeing even the old stuff i have done:P
littlepiepschuim PLATINUM said...
on Oct. 1 2014 at 1:18 pm
littlepiepschuim PLATINUM, Las Vegas, Nevada
22 articles 2 photos 23 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.&rdquo; <br /> ― Ray Bradbury<br /> &ldquo;There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.&rdquo; <br /> ― Maya Angelou<br /> &ldquo;There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.&rdquo; <br /> ― Ernest Hemingway

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I don't think "love" even describes how much I enjoyed this poem. It's raw and descriptive; it takes you right to the core and pricks your heart repeatedly. Truly amazing!
I've read a lot of your work and enjoy every bit of it, keep up the great work(:
TargonTheDragon GOLD said...
on Apr. 7 2014 at 11:18 am
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

View profile
thank you! I am glad you liked it!  
WinterRose76 SILVER said...
on Apr. 6 2014 at 7:15 pm
WinterRose76 SILVER, Ok., Florida
6 articles 6 photos 183 comments

Favorite Quote:
Arise and be all that you dream - Flyleaf

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I love how straightforward and deep this poem is. I completely agree with the message. Life truly is short, so you better make it count! Nice work :) 5/5
TargonTheDragon GOLD said...
on Dec. 18 2013 at 10:29 am
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

View profile
thank you so much:)
mereCat PLATINUM said...
on Dec. 18 2013 at 1:39 am
mereCat PLATINUM, Horsham, Other
46 articles 0 photos 183 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I am finally colouring inside the lines I live between&quot;

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I totally agree with Jade.I.Am. Brilliant, thoughtfull, moving and deserving of the mag!
TargonTheDragon GOLD said...
on Jun. 14 2013 at 5:50 pm
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

View profile
i would love to, but im afraid i dont make enough time to add anymore than a comment here or there on occation. i dont always have access to a computer (our house only has one, and that is shared between 5 people) coupled with my numerous and various activities and responsibilities, it leaves very little time for TI. i dont get on here as much as id like, as it is.    really what im trying to get at is if you dont mind me just popping in and out of Threads, giving my 2 cents where i believe its nessisary, then yea, i wouldnt mind participateing more:P i just am not that reliable when it comes to replying in a timely fasion:)
Jade.I.Am ELITE said...
on Jun. 13 2013 at 6:24 pm
Jade.I.Am ELITE, Fishers, Indiana
214 articles 14 photos 1159 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;If you&#039;re losing your soul and you know it, then you&#039;ve still got a soul left to lose&rdquo; <br /> ― Charles Bukowski

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No, it's perfectly fine! And you should join the debates more :)
TargonTheDragon GOLD said...
on Jun. 13 2013 at 3:55 pm
TargonTheDragon GOLD, Ofallon, Missouri
15 articles 16 photos 292 comments

Favorite Quote:
First dentistry was painless.<br /> Then bicycles were chainless,<br /> Carriages were horseless,<br /> And many laws enforceless.<br /> <br /> Next cookery was fireless,<br /> Telegraphy was wireless,<br /> Cigars were nicotineless,<br /> And coffee caffeineless.<br /> <br /> Soon oranges were seedless,<br /> The putting green was weedless,<br /> The college boy was hatless,<br /> The proper diet fatless.<br /> <br /> New motor roads are dustless,<br /> The latest steel is rustless,<br /> Our tennis courts are sodless,<br /> Our new religion &mdash; godless.

View profile
hehe this makes me so happy you liked it. I know from following your debates on the various threads here that you are a Christian, and even if i didnt write this for you in mind, i knew you would still appreciate it!! im sorry that i kinda just shoved it on you when i gave you the link over the TIChat, but i saw you were online and just pounced on the opportunity:P
Jade.I.Am ELITE said...
on Jun. 11 2013 at 11:13 pm
Jade.I.Am ELITE, Fishers, Indiana
214 articles 14 photos 1159 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;If you&#039;re losing your soul and you know it, then you&#039;ve still got a soul left to lose&rdquo; <br /> ― Charles Bukowski

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I'm in love with this. It actually almost made me cry at certain parts, for example: "The second I see His slack features/I knew He would not let me in/His bowed back, sagging shoulders/Showing His pain held within." This deserves the mag!!!!!!!