Walk With Me

Walk through my shoes
before you pass judgement on me
only then make your decision
after you see what my eyes have seen
it's easy to look in from the outside
and start casting your stones
but without all the facts
you're causing me more harm
ive walked through storms
you couldn't even survive 
ive seen more death
than you've seen people alive
ive been down further
than you thought anyone could go
but I've always climbed back up
with determination you'll never know
i was born 2 months early 
barely weighing over a pound
the doctors said I would die
but at 47 i am still around
my biological  mother passed away
when I was only eight years old
my daddy never wanted me 
as the the story was told
through my teenage years
I seen my first true tragedies 
after watching cancer take my nephew
life was never the same to me
my twenties brought more tragedy
with my cousin taking his on life
the only way I survived
was through support from my wife 
when i was about to turn thirty
I thought I faced my biggest fear
my step mother that raised me 
would pass away within the year
then i battled addiction 
when I got hooked on pills
they made me feel numb
from all the pain i could ever feel
after i defeated my demons
tragedy once again would come 
my beautiful wife of twelve years
would suddenly die in my arms
the reaper had finally accomplished 
what he'd been seeking since I was born
he finally had taken my soul
left my heart shattered and torn
now you can pass your judgement 
but do it with compassion and love
for the only judgement to me that matters
is from our Lord and savior above

DARRIN SHAWN RODGERS 
JULY 16 2019