Chimney Sweep

Two wee tykes rapped on the door
And sought to march within,
I looked them up and down, dismayed-
What dirt you're sure to bring.

Oh, please they pled, just for a while
We wouldn't harm a flea,
Just let us come and be your friend-
With you, we'd like to be.

Don't worry none 'bout our marks
The dirt won't stay to see,
No need to think us messy tykes-
For we bring all you need.

Variety, surprise and charm,
Yes, only fun we'll have,
Do, let us stay, we'll bring you much-
We're not a passing fad.

We'll party, eat and celebrate
Drive, holiday and dance,
And all the neighbours all around-
Will wish for such a chance.

What hope had I, to answer back
Or find a quick retort,
When all those things I craved - then some-
So, I swept wide the door.

They upped their sweepers, waltzed inside
With everything they had,
It seemed so true, the dust appeared-
To not be all that bad.

Their footprints made my floor as art
New patterned swirly grime,
Paint filled brooms then branded walls-
They said that it was fine.

Quite soon they settled, blended in
With all the fun they brought,
We played and laughed in music loud-
Their gaiety I caught.

I was so chuffed at how it was,
A grander life seemed mine,
New glitter came, my days were full-
As dizzy heights I climbed.

The careless moments ebbed and flowed
To clean, was not the thing,
For life was very hectic now-
Controlled by raucous din.

Then, in the whirl a friend stopped by
Asked why I lived like this,
In so much dust and grime and smog-
How could I think it bliss.

I stopped and looked, and looked again
And wondered if 'twas true,
For the family sure was sad a lot-
And much was quite askew.

But, altering seemed too hard for me,
This lifestyle couldn't change,
I felt a sadness, all alone-
With so much now ingrained.

Again they said, there's One can help,
I only had to ask,
And He could take it all away-
Give me a brand new start.

Well, that I thought, was crazy talk,
So, I took up my broom,
And swept and swept for years of days-
With vigor, room to room.

But, then I turned and looked about,
The dust just hadn't moved,
It all just settled back again-
I needed help, I knew.

So I called out. Please come and clean
Lord, take it all away,
Clean up my life, my home, my heart-
I need You now today.

And thus He came, led out the tykes
And all the mess they'd brought,
Showed me how to set things straight-
That by His Blood I'm bought.

Oh yes, He came, replaced the old
With loveliness and light,
My Jesus came with mighty power-
Transformed me with His life.

Soft whispers from
Derry's Heart Poems © April 2010
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How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,
(who through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself unblemished to God)
cleanse our consciences from
acts that lead to death,
so that we may serve the living God.
Hebrews 9:14