CHRISTIAN & WOMEN'S FICTION AUTHOR
M. L. Bull
INSPIRATIONAL RELIGIOUS FICTION
Touching Hearts One Story at a Time . . .
POETRY
"Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful." ~ Rita Dove
"Empathy"
Written Apr. 2022
Empathy is my lethal disease,
and it’s my healing penicillin,
Show kindness, people say,
keep giving and forgiving.
Love yourself, others say,
set boundaries, apply self-care,
Trusting most people is an issue,
can’t tell fakery from what’s true.
My eyes rain with loads of tears,
but I am a dried up, empty well,
My brain is sliced to pieces,
and heartache increases.
Somehow, toxicity manages to find me,
Interrupts my peace and tranquility,
Calamities like dominoes tumble over,
I’m like a bull’s eye shot at with darts,
Then apprehension like an engine starts.
Intuition sounds its loud alarm,
keeps me safe from abuse and harm,
Being targeted cuts to the bone,
so, I mostly prefer to be left alone.
Yet, helping people is what I do,
but getting taken advantage of,
That’s a big no-no too!
Empathy is my superpower,
keeps my sanity and sets me free,
From holding grudges and ill feelings.
everyone in society just isn’t like me,
Can’t expect it from the majority.
People talk of things good or bad
And friends come and friends go,
but my happiness is in my control.
Empathy is what I give to myself,
deciding not to “people please”
And rather than joining the crowd,
choosing me over popularity.
It’s positive self-talk, a pat on my back,
and being my personal listening ear,
Being my caring friend who’s near,
my shoulder to cry on when I’m alone,
It’s not only what I give to others,
but also, what I hold for myself.
Empathy is my lethal disease,
and it’s my healing penicillin,
Show kindness, people say,
keep giving and forgiving.
Love yourself, others say,
set boundaries, apply self-care,
Trusting most people is an issue,
can’t tell fakery from what’s true.
Except for this one specific thing:
I will look out for myself too.
"Monologue"
Written Aug. 2022
Young Lady, I appreciate and commend you,
for taking the liberty of being yourself,
progressing forward in this journey called Life.
You have been through the storm, rain, sickness,
and pain; but yet, by the grace of Lord Almighty,
you continue to keep moving on.
Many times, you were at the end of your rope,
and you almost let go.
Only Heaven knows the silent tears you’ve cried,
and many of the tests and trials you’ve endured.
Your mental strength has helped you cope,
and have the capacity to still rationally think,
on the welfare of others and not just yourself.
Sacrifice after sacrifice, you have selflessly given,
you’ve been ambitious, focused, and driven,
to improve your life and reach your dreams.
Sometimes, it seems the more you give,
the less you are appreciated by others,
and run into unfortunate situations,
but you are a strong soul.
Resilience has kept you afloat through,
the troubled waters of life’s difficulties,
the adhesive to pull yourself together again.
Hold on and keep fighting.
Keep your chin up, girl,
God’s got your back, and with Him,
you will surely win.
"A Need of Prayer"
Written Dec. 2017
The time is drawing to an end,
When this whole world will be condemned.
Now’s the time to focus and pray,
Stick with God and don’t stray.
The Devil likes to distract one’s mind,
To make one worry or waste time.
Don’t let him get the victory,
Or eat your life to misery.
Call on Lord Jesus while he’s near,
He’ll answer you; no need to fear.
Prayer’s needed for today,
No time for gossip or foul play,
No time to fret or to be dismayed,
What others think of me or say.
Every day I can’t gain back,
I strive to make it and still lack.
What do I do in a case like this?
Pray to my Father,
He’s never absent.
Thank God for all His many blessings,
Acknowledge sins and vile confessions,
Repent and ask for His forgiveness,
Be sincere and mean business.
Be concerned for my own soul,
To make that promised Heavenly goal.
Be prepared for trials to come,
And what or whom they may come from.
The time is drawing to an end,
When this whole world will be condemned.
Now’s the time to focus and pray,
Stay with God and don’t astray.
"Kindred Spirits"
Written Jan. 2023
Two, young ladies similar but different,
One golden hair as a morning’s day,
The other’s hair as dark as the night,
Kindred spirits reflect as does light.
Some friends come unexpectedly,
Through shared vibes and tranquility,
How much do they have in common?
So many unanswered questions remain,
But though they’re somewhat different,
In many ways, they’re the same.
Both adorned with quiet, humble spirits,
That’s seen as ornaments of great price,
So precious and beautiful in God’s eyes,
Though the world may think otherwise.
They aren’t mute, heartless, or mentally slow,
as some people would assume or suppose,
But they’re driven by silence and introspection,
socially selective in communication.
They’re like calm oceans ebbing away,
their depth like flowing, rolling waves,
Sensitive beings, they somehow convey,
how each other’s feeling with little delay.
How can they who rarely spoke be close?
And even when conflict and errors arose,
Their loyalty toward each other stayed afloat,
Yes, they’d likely have each other’s back,
And maybe could’ve been lifetime friends.
But circumstances changed things,
ended a rare friendship from developing,
empathy, sadness, and heavy sighs,
kept them from ever saying, “Goodbye.”
Perhaps, they’ll say, “Hi” and reunite,
Some people enter our lives for a reason,
Was their encounter a type of godsend?
Good friends are hard to come by,
that’s a true fact one can’t deny.
Two, young ladies similar but different,
One golden hair as a morning’s day,
The other’s hair as dark as the night,
Kindred spirits reflect as does light.
"Writer's Dream"
Written Feb. 2016
An idea sparkled by a dream,
Written down to not be,
Forgotten.
Outlined, planned, or
Immediately typed from the rise,
Of inspiration.
Days, weeks, months, and years,
Of dedication for imagination,
Tears of frustration and interrogation.
Am I good enough?
Will I succeed?
You wonder, you dream,
Will I be published?
Is my story interesting?
Will my talent be in vain?
Passion keeps you writing,
And striving.
You work, rewrite, and edit,
Revise chapter after chapter,
Fix sentence after sentence,
Finally, you’ve finished.
You’re done.
You submit, mail or email,
Your manuscript.
Publishing seems surreal.
You wait and wait,
Then someone walks up,
And says,
“Your story changed my life.”
"Discernment"
Written Feb. 2022
No one understands how I feel,
This God-given gift is truly real,
But it’s so difficult and hard to explain,
To others who don’t understand me.
They think it’s all in my head,
Or I’m desperate for attention,
But there are hidden reasons,
For my dread and apprehension.
It’s bigger than feelings or emotions,
Or unnecessary drama or commotions,
I know when something isn’t right,
Or someone’s hurt or can’t be trusted.
Discernment has been my friend,
A guiding shield of protection,
To keep me safe and avoid trouble,
A signaling warning on the double.
Sometimes misunderstandings flow,
Causing confusion to overthrow,
One’s judgment of me as a person,
With bitter illusion of aversion.
Nonetheless, God has stood by me,
He’s come to my rescue, you see.
Through prayer, trust, and His Word,
And many times, I’ve gotten confirmation.
I’m a seer of souls and knower of thoughts,
A sensitive detector of good and evil,
From His wisdom and my intuition.
However, I don’t talk about it much,
Many times, I’m quiet and hold my peace,
And wait for evidence to come clean.
Discernment has been my friend,
A guiding shield of protection,
To keep me safe and avoid trouble,
A signaling warning on the double.
"One Chance"
Written Apr. 2022
No more need for sea, but just all land,
Colors of jewels and stones so grand
A place where it’s always light and day,
The Lord’s glory illuminates the Holy City.
One chance to make it in God's Kingdom,
That glorious, wonderful New Jerusalem,
Precious pearly gates and streets of gold,
More than half have yet to be told.
You see, I don’t know about any one of you,
Or what road you’ll take or choice you’ll choose,
But I want to be saved and win the victory,
And to see Jesus Christ’s face in peace.
After suffering sickness, heartache, and pain,
I don’t want my living and life to be in vain,
I haven’t been here long on this green Earth,
But I aim to show God my existence had worth.
My desire’s to make the first resurrection,
Rise up from the ground into high heaven,
So, while others are busy looking at me,
Fine, go ahead, judge me if you please!
But I’m focusing and fighting for my life,
No time to waste on hatred, envy, or strife,
Praying daily, striving, and hearing God’s Word,
Caring less of what people said, think, or heard.
When the Lord cracks the sky and appears,
And separates the wheats from the tares,
All hidden, secret things will be made clear,
Then we’ll know those who are really sincere.
Where do you want to be in the end?
Weigh out your choices in the balance,
All everyone gets is one chance,
For God’s divine plan of salvation.
No more need for sea, but just all land,
Colors of jewels and stones so grand
A place where it’s always light and day,
The Lord’s glory illuminates the Holy City.
One chance to make it in God's Kingdom,
That glorious, wonderful New Jerusalem,
Precious pearly gates and streets of gold,
More than half have yet to be told.
"Busgirl"
Written Aug. 2022
Repetitively cleaning sticky tabletops,
highchairs and dusty booth seats,
she smiles, waves, or greets.
Food and crumbs on unwaxed floor,
welcomes her with great galore,
she stands, bents, and sweeps up,
one mess left after another.
Many times, her back and feet aches,
her knees and hand joints at stake,
but without very much of complaint,
she works and gets the job done.
Like a gardener tending her plants,
she checks the trash and condiments,
restocks ketchup, mayo, napkins, and straws,
and seldom does she take a pause.
She helps her guests with their needs,
giving them refills, if they please,
and rather than be someone else,
she believes in simply being herself.
Somewhat quiet and reserved,
holds resilience like a jar of preserves,
she means business when she cleans,
a focused, thorough cleaning machine.
Every passing day brings her closer,
to reaching her big goals and dreams,
although it seems others look down on her,
she’s a talented, upcoming entrepreneur.
"Greatest Love"
Written Feb. 2022
What is the greatest love?
A shape of a dove it came from above,
One that’s Supreme and Divine,
From the high heavens.
For God so loved the world,
He gave His only begotten Son,
Sentenced to death on the cross,
And when no one else could.
His Divine Will came from above,
And He had compassion on us,
Even though we don’t deserve it,
Such unconditional love.
His perfect love is like none other,
So pure and full of assurance,
It gives one faith and strength,
Enhances one’s endurance.
With gladness, my heart sings,
Of gratitude and much thanks,
Why wouldn’t anyone want Him?
He’s so many wonderful things.
He’s Alpha and the Omega,
The Beginning and the End,
The Father and the Creator
Of all people and living things,
God’s the absolute best friend,
He’s genuine love without question,
And a counselor, provider, and healer
On whom one can trust and depend.
He watched over us during birth,
His loving Holy Spirit fills all earth,
He’s a Comforter in times of trouble,
And has all things under His control.
He’s a god of His written Word
All His many promises are true,
And everything He has spoken
He surely will do.
God is loving, patient, and kind,
So longsuffering and merciful,
Toward us all the time.
He’s the Life and the air we breathe,
The constant pounding of our heartbeats,
Through true men of God, we hear Him speak,
His joy, compassion, and mercy we seek,
And if one chooses His Way to serve Him,
They shall have forever peace.
What is the greatest love?
A shape of dove it came from above,
One that’s Supreme and Divine,
From the high heavens.
"If Jesus Hadn't Died"
Written Mar. 2018
If Jesus hadn't died, where would we be?
There'd be no hope for you or me,
No one to set us free.
If Jesus hadn't died, where would we be?
We'd be lost in death and sin,
Drifting and falling,
No peace within.
There'd be no joy or remedy,
No salvation or redemption,
No defense against temptation,
Only a sorrowful melody.
If Jesus hadn't died, where would we be?
We'd have no chance for victory,
Destroyed in Satan’s trickery.
But Jesus died on the cross,
Paid the debt for us all,
That none may be lost.
If Jesus hadn't died, where would we be?
There'd be no hope for you or me,
No one to set us free.
"Freedom"
Written Mar. 2023
Freedom is
being yourself rather than someone else
it’s unconditionally loving who you are
accepting the good, the bad, and the ugly of your ways and making the necessary changes
Freedom is
having love and respect toward all mankind
taking responsibility and accountability
for your wrong words or actions no
matter what are the consequences
Freedom is
trusting and believing in yourself
even if no one else believes in your abilities
it’s internal validation and being free
from the need for external validation
Freedom is
expressing yourself and letting your
voice be heard and knowing your worth
not caring about what other people say
or think of you because you’ve already
accepted the truth
Freedom is
choosing love over hate and choosing
peace over chaos pressing through hardships and rejections and heartbreaks
and moving on from the pain
Freedom is
not allowing other people’s perceptions
change how you view yourself and not
worrying about others’ judgments or
assumptions because you know these
will come endlessly regardless
Freedom is
being real about yourself and not hiding
behind perfectionism of a fake life nor determining your worth on follows and likes
Freedom is
pulling the plug from social media
not allowing comparison to steal your joy
it’s being thankful for what you have
appreciating and embracing your life as is
Freedom is
working hard for what you want in life
not being jealous of others’ possessions
it’s commending other people’s successes
and not letting someone else’s wins
make you feel like you’re losing
Freedom is
allowing toxic things and people to leave
that you don’t need to gravitate better
relationships and things and deciding
not to conform or people-please
Set yourself free from negative chains,
of doubt, depression, or low self-esteem,
watch your life flow smoother as a stream.
Freedom is
knowing and doing what’s best for you
and loving and valuing yourself no matter
who doesn’t because you know you’re loved by a great and compassionate God above.
this is Freedom
"Trust God"
Written Nov. 2017
When waters toss around you,
And strong winds blow,
Keep your eyes on Lord Jesus,
He'll lead you where to go.
Sometimes life runs its havoc.
But keep your head high to the sky,
And realize you're never alone.
Create new tactics,
Smile like magic.
Be a light and shine bright,
Be a star in the dark night.
When waters toss around you,
And strong winds blow,
Keep your eyes on Lord Jesus,
He'll lead you where to go.