Lampposts

One, two, three, four in a row
lit, oh, three hours ago
while the sun was a fading.
The light's now a blazing,
all a glow
four lampposts in a row.
And the snow falls.

They criss and cross and run around,
hustle and bustle but say not a sound,
oh where they'll go
I'll never ever know
These people
walking lampposts 'round.
And snow falls to the ground.

One, two, three, four I wonder why,
why where'd they put post number five?
But there it is right down below
as I crane my neck out 3rd story windows
There's a fifth
light flickers alive.
And snow falls to the ground - from the sky.

They flit and float and flutter down
small balls of fluff look for the ground,
they'll sometimes land on tips of tongues,
in many a pretty girl's hair they're hung.
Then, like a blanket, they snuggle the ground.
And snow falls from the sky - to the ground - all around.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 19, 2008
Location: Hamilton

I Have Just One Wish

In a partially cleaned room I sit
Textbooks clutter, sink full of dish
Head full of math, life full of school
I sit hear and wish.

A friend's song in the background's
Reminding me that life is much more
Sitting in a messy house
There's so much to live for.

So much more than just school
The consumer of every free minute
And the user of every spare thought
School cant master my life though it tries
Cause life's about people
I'm finally coming to realize.

So let's wish for friend's to fly
Let's build into other's lives
Cause it's not what you know that will change the world
But it's how you live
And how you love
And how many wings you create
So that wishes may come true.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 13, 2008
Location: Hamilton

Oh Dear!

A fox and a log
and many rocks in a den
and A BEAR!!
Then three one-legged
frogs coming from
everywhere
And a big pool of red
and green drool coming from a bathtub
and covering my clean,
clean bathroom floor.
And it keeps coming more and more
and MORE!!

Then my house is ready for
it's Christmas next year
and elves bring presents hear
with huge pointed ears.
Then I'll drive a new car down
a haunted freeway over frowns
and rivers full of so many,
many tears.

As a Gentleman with a pipe
I will drive on and on into the night
It will be quite a sorry sight
searching for candy on Halloween
til I slam on the brakes and
see what I've seen.

Crash into a box, no a fox.
But it was a log and inside was a den
and it went on and on and on and
A BEAR!!
And it shook my hand and
became my friend.
So we searched for frogs in the logs
and found only one, missing
only one leg.

Pirates have only one of about
everything!!
only one eye and one leg and one hook
and one earring and one eye patch.
and the frog hopped away on a
wooden leg.

Splash went the water as green
as slime and my bathtub appeared
full of Christmas presents
that could not be opened til Christmas NEXT year!
oh dear, oh dear,
OH DEAR!!
What a nightmare.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: October 26, 2008
Location: Hamilton

I Think I Won the Lottery

This poem is a list of questions
And in your head while you're reading
make sure that you answer
cause that's the purpose of questions.

If you were to win the lottery
Would you tell your friends and family?
You'd jump and laugh and shout?
Cause wouldn't it be exciting to win a lottery?

And if you found $20 in your pocket
Wouldn't you tell the random beside you?
Or the friend at the other end of the phone?
Cause you never expect money in your pocket.
(I don't anyways)

And if you had a nice car in your driveway
I bet you'd drive it so others could see
And wouldn't you drive it with all your friends?
Cause it's special, and cool, and expensive.

And if you conquered a fear
Would you tell the world?
And wouldn't you tell your secret too?
Cause then others could conquer theirs.

And if you believed in God
And He's the Lord of your life
And He's worth the world
And you find Him where you never expect Him
And He's special, and costs your life
And allows you to conquer death
Would you tell your friends and family and randoms and everyone?
Does anything else really matter?

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 30, 2008
Location: Ottawa

To The Sleepers

There once was a school. Matter of fact, there still is
And there once was a village, and it's still there too
And it's actually a city, it's called Hammer Town
And the school's McMaster, where I hang around.

There was an event, of outrageous proportions
It went on and on and on for at least two hours
People gathered and gathered, you could count almost eighty
Praying together and holding hands, it was crazy!

And they prayed and they prayed to God up in heaven
They beseeched Him to stir in hearts of non-Christians
And they worshiped and danced and sang to His glory
And asked God for words to tell the one true story

Then there was a guy, who prayed for the sleepers
For those who are Christians but hide in the bleachers
He prayed that God'd wake them, open there eyes
Show the world that is broken, help them realize

That the world wont change if we sit back and wait
That we can't lead good lives just waiting for questions
But we must go and find, find people who hurt
Or those who don't realize that their face is in the dirt

He prayed that they'd see our campus in need
That they'd no longer hide, keeping God's truth inside
That every single Christian would work together for Him
And search out every soul so Christ might live within

Then he praised our great Lord and our King
For the mercy He's showed us, for making us sing
And as he was praying, with angels looking on
I'm sure that God smiled on our generation

Not cause we're better, and not at all for works
But because of grace, and because of His Son
He saw not our selves but who we've become
By grace we're His children, by grace we are one

And then he prayed for all us in the circle
Giving praise for the salvation and conviction we have
Prayed for faith, that none of us will break
And prayed for grace, to keep us awake.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 18, 2008
Location: Hamilton

People

People are strange, unusual and funny too
And I sit up here watching them, on floor two
From way up here I do have quite the view
Of many people and what they do
They're ordinary people, like me and you
Doing ordinary things, like you and I would do.

But they all do it different, none are the same
All different strategies in life's one big game
But unlike other games, you cannot play again
So you cannot play for fun, you must play to win
Some fill there hands with cards of sin
Others find redemption, and are forgiven.

I see a table, and two people on chairs
They're working together, though separate play'rs
There go two more, walking down stairs
Hand in hand making a lovely pair
Then there's two friends, looking at clothes
One has good taste - it clearly shows

And then, across the room, there's the line
The people over there have been waiting quite some time
Waiting for what? I'm quite sure I don't mind
But there they are, waiting no less
A half meter per hour's their speed, at best
Somehow it's helping in life's grand contest.

Well, now it's time, I must get up and go
It's been much fun watching, I'm sure you know
But it's time to play this game myself
Not all know the rules, I'm commanded to help
So here I go, please send a prayer for me
Pray for Him to be my guide
Pray I'll follow by his side
Pray I'll see those in need, pray I'll see so clearly.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 12, 2008
Location: McMaster Student Centre, Hamilton

Good Morning

It's time to wake
A new day's begun, wake up
Good morning to you, open your eyes
Early mornings have beautiful skies
I know it's warm and your blankets are nice
So snuggle a bit, 10 minutes will suffice
For life goes on and you better go to
Or you'll find that life will leave without you
Now roll out of bed, one foot at a time
Leave on your smile, your smile's sublime
Remember your devo's they'll help through the day
He who watched your sleep will show you the way
Take your time, it's important not to rush
But soon you'll eat and use your toothbrush
Now you feel so fresh and so new
You're almost ready for today, but your hair's askew
So neaten it up, a brush should work
Look in the mirror, put back on a smirk
For smiles will make the world go round
On cloudy days smiles are worth many a pound
Now go and do whatever you will
Remember He's watching and cares for you still
Go through your day with Him on your mind
And love and show grace to the rest of mankind.

- Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 7, 2008
Location: Hamilton

Goodnight

It's bedtime
Time to turn out the light
So farewell and adieu
Goodbye and goodnight to you
Sleep well and dream good dreams
Of snow and love and other such themes
For tomorrow will come quicker than ought
You'll wake up much sooner than you might have thought
So lay your head so softly down
And please make sure to forget your frown
'Cause when God protects you throught the night
A happy face would be a beautiful sight
And poke your toes out through the sheets
For blankets are much to warm for feets
But snuggle up and tuck in your chin
Since that's where every smile begins
Now while your eyes begin to close
Walk along an endless rainbow
And think of colours bright as can be
Before you know it you'll drift off to...

- Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 7, 2008
Location: Hamilton

Grace Like Rain

I walk and I run in t-shirt and shorts
My Bible in hand, coming home from church
The sky is gray and puddles are growing
And the water falls down, man, it's pouring!

And I think to myself as I run down the street
That if grace is like rain, then it's not all that sweet
Then it hits me plain as day
Grace is like rain, and we're running away.

God's up in heaven, pouring down rain
Giving us grace, helping us change
But grace is a gift we will not receive
We have to deserve, we have to achieve.

So we run through the rain, hiding under umbrellas
Working hard for our Lord, filling our quotas
And through it all we forget why we're here
Forget we are children, and to Him we are dear.

And just like every good Father will give
Our God and our King loves helping us live
He pours down the rain as he pours out his grace
Over time as we accept it, we will see his face.

But Before we can see Him we must open the doors
And run into the rain as it pours and pours
And splash in the puddles that gather around
'Til we soak in His grace that we've finally found.

Now I'll sing, how sweet the sound
For I once was lost, but now am found
And Hallelujah, grace falls on me
I once was blind, and now I see

I'll sing as I stand in the rain today
I'll sing as my stains are all washed away
I'll sing how precious that grace appeared
I'll sing and I'll sing many thousands of years.

By: Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 7, 2008
Location: Hamilton

To Live, Die

Dying is to truely live
and living to freely die;
And knowing You is knowing truth
and You make love alive.

Dying is to forget the bad
and in only good to live;
And seeking You is seeking life
and only You forgive.

Dying is to suffer long
and trust our glorious king;
And finding you is finding peace
and joy is yours to bring.

For I must die to live
and trust to know
and seek my gracious Lord,
Before He lives in me
and gives me peace
and makes me his alone.

And loving is to give your heart
and want nothing in return;
And serving is to love a friend
and practice is how to learn.

And teaching is to show one how
to do what one should do;
And leading by good example
will lovingly help one through.

And family is ordained by God
and designed to work for Him;
And through His Son we all are one
given grace, forgiven sin.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: June 14, 2008
Locations: Ottawa/Camp Mini-Yo-We

Existent Nothing

Today was a waste.
No motivation at all.
My work was replaced
With nothing important
With nothing at all.

If nothing is evil
Which it quite likely is
Then something is real
And it needed to be done
But I didn't do all
I only did some

Time can't be bought
And the day is all done
Evil was fought
And maybe it won
but I think not.

For evil is nothing
And today wasn't a waste
Since God taught me something
So I'll bury the hand
And rivers will flow

- Ben Ankenmann
Date: March 29, 2008
Location: Ottawa

The Dotted Line

"What are you doing here today?
What are you doing here, sir?"
He looks at the table then rubs his eyes
Then turns and walks away.

"What brings you here good sir?"
She asks the second man.
"To sign that page, but i'm not sure."
So quiet that no one heard.

"Can I help you my friend?"
To the next who replies:
"No ma'am, I'm just here to pretend,
I think it's a passing trend."

The room is quite bare,
Just a paper and a table,
And a young lady standing there,
On the floor, 15 feet square.

So now number four comes in,
He thinks that he wants to sign.
He's handsom and tall, but also quite thin,
And he forgot to bring a pen.

"Are you here to sign this sheet?"
The fifth man laughs and says yes;
"I'll sign, I'll have this life beat!"
Then writes down his name quite neat.

But his name is not all that strong,
The ink quickly fades,
And you cannot read it for long.
When he leaves, his smile is gone.

This paper is a fine and it must be paid,
The fine of every man's life.
Each man to blame for the life he has made,
But no man can sign his name.

The next man walked into the room,
Another paper in his hand.
It's not his life, but another man's whom
Has given men life that is new.

Man six takes the new page up to her,
And asks her to make the trade.
"First, sir, you sign this paper."
At the table she points, I'm sure.

Out of his pocket a pen he withdraws,
An ordinary pen of his.
The name that he knows, the name of awe,
That is the name that he draws.

The name is only three letters in length,
A simple statement of fact.
But it's full of power, full of strength,
The name to who he gives thanks.

"Your fine is paid, well done,"
She congratulates the man.
"You now start anew, a new life's begun;
Now He is your Father, you, His son."

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: March 20, 2008
Location: Ottawa

Irrational Inner Conflict (Charity)

Standing.
Alone.
Not watched by a soul
Pretending.
Unknown.
All he has is a goal
No action, no plan
No heart in his hands

Convinced.
Sure.
No reason left to wait
Unexperienced.
Poor.
Procrastination in him innate
Sitting on his mind
Guts he cannot find

Holding.
Ignoring.
To love would be to live
Scolding.
Imploring.
Wishing for the heart to give
For strength to stand
on a limb - with heart in hand

It's all in his head
Convinced that it's right
Needing to trust and let it break
But scared, he hides instead
Can't give it all, not tonight
But love and true life, is at stake

But later, what a joy it will be
When he not only sees, but truly believes
When:

Standing.
Alone.
The Watcher sees unseen
Extending.
Known.
Finally on his knees
Arms lifted high and heart,
Offered with unclenched hands.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: February 12, 2008
Location: Ottawa

Temptation

Round 1
It was a dark night,
And black.
A night were everyone
Looks in.
Windows are mirrors,
No one looks out.

Nothing seems right.
I'm being watched,
By something
I cannot see.
It's tempting me,
I think.
I talk to myself,
Or does it?

On a night like tonight,
I grab my knees.
I curl into a ball
And sit
In the corner.
They cannot be seen,
But I feel their words.
I shiver.

In an empty room,
I cower in the corner.
The lights are on,
It's dark.
The room must be full
now
I'm pressed
into the corner.

I hear a voice,
a bright voice,
a soft voice,
a hopeful voice.

No.
I must be dreaming.
Darkness presses in.
The light grows
dimmer.
The darkness gets
heavier.
I shrink.

That voice!
The light brightens
I like that voice,
But I ignore it.

The light flickers,
Darkness crushes
me.
I've never been
so small.
I've lost all hope,
I'm giving up.
All is darkness.

All is voices
Muttering, scheeming,
Hating, killing.
I'm almost dead.
The light is black.
I see nothing,
I hear nothing,
I feel nothing.

I remember,
that voice.
I want to hear it,
one last time.

But the light is out.
I can't see
the switch,
I can't stand.
They squeal with delight.
The sound hurts my ears.
I was weak,
I ignored the light.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 9, 2007
Location: Ottawa

Round 2
Temptation number two
I can feel you in the room
I feel the darkness surrounding you
And I fear impending doom.

I know I could give up
And not even try to fight
But I also know a tougher man
Would not forget the light.

I know this wont be easy
You'll try to lock the door
But now I know He can release me
And lift me off the floor.

The pressure of your darkness
Forces the only door to close
A feeling of hopelessness
Seeps through my skin and clothes

And even though I know your name
And know the light could win
I don't want to show my shame
To this glowing light within

So I fight on without the light
After the door is locked
And in the dark of evil night
Temptation watches the clock

You knows that it's only time
Between now and when I fall
Without my light the clock will chime
And on my knees I'll crawl.

Without a light I'll try to fight
From my knees I'll grab the door
But the door is already bolted tight
All hope is gone, I'm on the floor.

And Temptation smiles in glee
Another battle won
Another wretched victory
He calls me names like "faithless one".

Now in my shame and hurt I lie
Still hiding from forgiveness
My guilt beside me piled high
From light I want to hide this.

I hate myself, I hate my guilt
But I know that that is wrong
This temptation that I have built
Is now extremely strong.

Around the corner is number three
And I know I'm in his sights
So I'll unlock the door and hide the key
And release the power of light.

And next time when temptation comes
He'll be knocked right off his feet
And the power of God's only Son
Will fight and rescue me.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: January 7, 2008
Location: Ottawa

Round Three
The foe I fight is unearthly strong
(He is coming)
He is the darkest of dark nights
In all he does he fights for wrong
He's a beam of anti light

The 'prince of evil' he's called in hell
(He approaches)
He has two hands of horrid death
Blackened bones of wretched smell
Hands with power to cease breath

The cloak he wears is oft called sin
(He is near)
His eyes shine with blinding darkness
They shine nothing but hate within
The eyes light detests

The door is locked in the same old room
(He enters now)
Because temptation needs not a key
I only think impending doom
Can I ever have victory?

But now time stops, I remember the Light
(He does not move)
It has no being but lives inside
It will trump the darkness tonight
It will the battle decide

Now I pray and the Light begins to emit
(Temptation steps)
The room is filled not a shadow cast
But temptation Light will permit
My battle is not yet past

I must fight and win for Light this victory
(He now attacks)
I stand my ground and raise my shield
A blast of lust, defense becomes debris
My broken arm Light heals

I turn to face by deadly foe once more
(He shoots again)
Pride splits my helmet in two
Despite my will, I stumble to the floor
Light my strength renews

I stand again with valid righteous hate
(He laughs)
And plunge my sword right through his heart
His terrifying anger builds, his eyes are now irate
My body he tears apart

I call the name of my redeeming conqueror
(He trembles)
And a light so bright overpowering came
That true blackness felt pain and horror
Temptation writhed in pain

The light so bright i cannot see stands guard
(He flees)
He puts me together and all my wounds he heals
He cures each and every death-black scar
Through Him my victory's sealed

I thank my Lord and I open the door
(He's gone)
Outside the air is fresh and clean
I dance in the wind, breathe deep once more
For I feel alive in His light, so alive
His light that is living in me.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: January 13, 2008
Location: Ottawa

Memories

I have errands to do but before I go
I have to let you know that I want to be alive
I'm living in memories but I want to be free
My feet are sore from treading through my past
From shots that I fired myself shots I didn't need
I need a goal, a purpose to fulfill
I know that there is one out there
But I keep on shooting myself
And living in memories.

There's a life out there to live
A battle to fight, a war to win
But I can't move forward and look back
So here I stand, faced the wrong way
But turning around is harder than it looks
I've tried so many times with fake success
I move forward but then come right back
Cause I can't stop looking behind
And living in memories.

Well, I should go...but please know
I'm going to try again
And this time I'm calling on Him
I'll try to move on forward
And hopefully He'll push me on
We'll fight this life together
I wont look back, I'll forget regrets
And instead of living in them
I'll be making memories.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: January 7, 2008
Location: Ottawa

What Are You Listening For?

In the middle of a dark and creepy night
You only hear creaking floorboards
And the haunted wind in the moonlight
The voices of your friends sound muffled
And daze your mind in fright
Your mind plays tricks so late at night
You only hear what you're listening for

And in the morning when you wake
And run down to the kitchen
You forget the frightful sounds you heard of late
You never hear the creaking floor
The cold-fingered wind has escaped
The sun awakes as you eat banana pancakes
For you hear what you're listening for

So take a seat and listen
You know not what you're missing
The sun has set, the stars are out
You probably forget that life never shouts
But in whispers will relate the secrets it creates
And you will hear what you are listening for

If you forget to listen
There is much of life you're missing
If all you do is talk, and never hear
Alone you will walk, with Him so near
For He only talks in whispers, so listen to whispers
And you will hear what you are listening for

But if you know to listen
Then you know Him and are forgiven
You know powerful winds and splitting rocks
You know shaking earth and raging fires
But God is not in those, He is in whispers
And you have heard what you are listening for

Ben Ankenmann
Date: January 6, 2008
Location: Ottawa

Time

so. I'm sitting on a couch thinking about time,
contemplating the mystery of the beauty of time.
cause it's always time to study, when I want to write,
time to write when nothing could be more right
than to play with friends and siblings of mine.

time is always faster when you're having fun.
funny isn't it, that in love, time can run.
not only this, but time, sometimes, just races by;
it can't be bought, or caught, it has wings, it will fly
whenever you smile, or cuddle with your loved one.

although it can't be caught, it can be saved!
for daylight only, not night, but morning it saves
for some seasons in some towns, some time gets moved
(from time to time) to morning - from night shooed.
but not in the west, there time the same stays.

now if I had a watch, that could tell time to halt,
it'd be worth more than money but death would be my fault.
but those moments of love that you wish would always last,
those seconds that you remember but now are past,
well, they'd never end. and history would be appalled.

as the sun goes down (and i get reminded just how busy i am)
one thing I'd like you to think: about the time that is flyin',
just think about life, and love, and all you live for
and remember to live for only all that you adore,
cause time cannot stop, despite the time we spend crying.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: December 7, 2007
Location: Ottawa

The Dirt Path

The trees are green and
The grass is brown with
Puddles everywhere when
The rain does come down

The road is of dirt
The path of my life
In front and behind
Are both love and strife

And as i walk forward
And new days begin
The seasons are changing
I'm changing within

Sometimes I walk and
I look to the sky
But I know all along
God's right by my side

He holds up the light
So that I can see
When darkness and evil
Are tempting me

At times I'll look back
But if I look for too long
I'll have to stop walking
Then where will I have gone?

So I keep pressing forward
No matter what comes
I have a destination
My Saviour's kingdom

Sometimes I look forward
But if look up all the time
I'll trip over my feet
Land in mud and grime

So I'll look where I'm going
And Not where I've been
And not over the horizon
And not at my sin

I've given that to Jesus
Who's walking at my side
He'll carry the burdens
That I've been holding inside

And when I leave the path
He'll follow with the light
And tap me on the shoulder
And tell me it's not right

Sometimes I will thank Him
And get back on the path
Sometimes I'll leave Him
To carry me back

Cause every time I'm wrong
When I walk off that trail
Even when I'm running
I'm human, I'm frail

Sometimes we cross bridges
With water far below
I might feel like jumping
But Christ will say "No"

Sometimes the path is rocky
So I can't look up at all
I have to deal with the problem
Before I get back to my goal

But Jehovah's right beside me
Whispering in my ear
That the road will get better
That I wont always be here

Sometimes I get to a wall
I feel like turning around
But my King will lend a hand
And lift me off the ground

He'll place me on the path
On the other side
I'll thank my deliverer
For conquering my pride

Many stories I could tell
Of this road on which I walk
But still you'd have some questions
So why don't we just talk?

He'll help me with the answers
And tell me what to say
And you just keep on asking
I'll pray you find the path someday

I'll pray that you walk this road
With my Redeemer next to you
I'll pray you can see His light
So He can lead you too

But if you don't hear His love
By it being told this way
I'll pray that you will find it
Somehow, someday

Just please remember
If you ever want to chat
Just send me a message
A note, or something like that

And if you just want to cry
I will understand
I can come and cry with you
Be there to hold you hand

'Cause This dirt path is never easy
The walking is always hard
But by my side Christ leads me
My Dad, My King, My Guard

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 18, 2007
Location: Ottawa

I Know a Girl

I know a person
Who’s smart
Who’s nice
Who’s a girl

I know a girl
She’s cute
Has a nice smile
She’s pretty
With long brown hair
She’s a friend

I know a friend
She’s thoughtful
And passionate
Often
She’s kind
Makes me smile
Always
She’s amazing
And I love her
Forever

I have a sister

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 16, 2007
Location: Ottawa

Man's Story

Dark, Empty, Blank.
Pointless, Dead.

He sees me,
I hate Him.
Black, Thoughtless, Mean.
Angry, Hurt.

Looking in my eyes,
I could kill Him.
Blood, Torture, Pain.
Helpless, Evil.

He steps toward me,
I glare at Him.
Scorn, Despise, Hate.
Loosing, Fall.

He opens His arms,
I nail them there.
Grief, Question, Think.
Falter, Doubt.

He loves me,
I don't understand.
Stop, Wonder, Stare.
Regret, Wince.

He died for me,
I want Him.
Awe, Worry, Kneel.
Upset, Cry.

He lives for me,
I love Him.
Hope, Colour, Light.
Revealed, Saved.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: November 9, 2007
Location: Ottawa (St. Paul's University)

A Beautiful Dream

She'll be sitting on a dock with water on her feet,
She'll be holding my hand, she'll be looking at me.
Her eyes will be bright, full of hope and of life
And her mouth will be curved, my heart will take flight.
I'll be walking on clouds with my head in the sky,
She will be my wife, I'll believe I can fly!

I'll stand at the front when the music begins,
I'll watch her walk down, my face all a-grin.
Her hair will be flowing, it will be chestnut brown,
She will look like an angel, or a queen with a crown.
She'll say that she loves me, and I'll say so too,
By exchanging our vows, by saying "I do."

She'll be by my side, 'til death do us part,
I'll protect her and keep her, love of my heart.
Eam semper amabo, no matter what comes
And I'll whisper sweet nothings in foreign tongues.
We'll rejoice together, and laugh 'til we cry,
And suffer together, as friends we will die.

We'll live a long life, two people as one,
And when it's all over, new life has begun.
We will have served God, and have served Him well,
Now we're in heaven, Emanuel.
But this is a dream, of them in my life,
Of a future with Him, and with her, my wife.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: October 31, 2007
Location: Ottawa

Punch in the Face

Backs get raised, people fight
Three on one, does he even know?
Behind his back, battle not right
War on a castle, middle of the night.

Arrows fly, miss their target
Horses charge, no-one opposing
Gate broken down, trampled parquet
Stabbed in the back, three regret.

A stab in the back, hurts the most
Better to punch in the face
And make your point, your boast
Than kill a friend, in guise jocose.

But make it right, a four on none
An unaware enemy causes you hurt
Build them up, don’t tear them down
We all win, we’re all someone.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: October 18, 2007
Location: Ottawa

That Kind of Night

It's that kind of day that brings back memories
That kind of day that feels like nothing's going on
It's that kind of day where things could be done
But I'd rather sit and think about memories.
Cause it's that kind of day

It's that kind of day where the clouds are grey
That kind of day that feels twice as heavy as it should
It's that kind of day that wants to sit in front of fire
And wear a sweater and drink hot chocolate.
That's the kind of day

So for now I'll think about times gone by
I wont worry about what could be done
I'll forget about time, reminiscing
Remembering Christmas Tyme and snow
And Family and camp and sunsets and
I wont forget them, because I love them.

And when I've remembered it all
Laughed, smiled, thought and cried,
And the reminiscing is over, then
Then I'll dream, yes, I'll dream
I'll dream of all that’s to come,
I'll dream of my future wife,
And then of our firstborn son,
I'll dream of giving her my life.

Then the fire will go out
An empty mug in my lap
Curled in an armchair
Covered in blanket
Eyes closed
Goodnight

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: October 16, 2007
Location: Ottawa

A Breath of Time

A frozen lake, soft with snow
Islands at the foreground
Rolling hills at the back.
A gust of wind.
The snow dances
Like a figure skater spinning on ice.
Stop!
This is significant,
This is a breath of time.

A ball soars through the air,
The net far below
And the court farther still.
You could hear
A penny drop
As the crowd sits. Motionless.
Pause!
This is important.
This is a breath of time.

Life is like addition,
Every moment, a number.
Add all the time up, and you have an answer,
A life.
In which every breath counts.

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: September 2006
Location: Huntsville

The Definition of Snow

Snow
Flakes of the clouds,
Crystals of heaven.
A snowflake is a kiss
it's beautiful
cold
yet refreshing.
It's soft, peaceful
and quiet
A tree's wedding dress, a blanket for the ground.

Snow is harsh, angry
Its wrath covers the ground
Snow must be shoveled
Must be plowed
Must be hated
by drivers and loved
by their children

It is for play:
To make men
with sticks and carrots
To build forts
It is for angels.
Snow must be skied on
And rolled in
And tobogganed down
And walked through
And thrown
It is to be admired
And to land on the tips of tongues.

Isn't it amazing
how the flake dissolves
on your tongue?!
It's there for an instant
But gone the next.

Defining snow is like
Catching the wind
It can't be done

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: March 2006
Location: Huntsville

To Follow You

I want out of this darkness
Bring me into the light
Place me in your footsteps
And show me what’s right.

Show me how to live my life
How to make it pure
I want to be a disciple
I’m going to live for you this year.

Just guide me by the hand
Give me everything I need
Let me live my life for Jesus
I will follow, will you lead?

Show me the way o go
And with your strength and power
And endless love to guide me
You will make my life worth
It’s every hour

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: 2006
Location: Huntsville

Why?

Why do you love me
Why do you want me
Why did you die
Why shouldn’t I
There’s nothing I have
There’s nothing I can give
I’ve got nothing for you
Why do you love me?

Why do you care about me
Why are you here for me
Why not give up
I’m a waste of your time
You don’t need me at all
I can’t keep a word I say
I’m a traitor, liar, hypocrite
Why do you love me?

You’ve been here forever
Before there was light
We’re just a joke
Just a big game
Does it matter who wins
Why did you put your life on the line
We’re just grains of sand
Why do you love us?

What’s in it for You?

-Ben Ankenmann
Date: 2005ish
Location: Huntsville