Safe Within The City Walls
for Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
& Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette

how near to God are thee, are we

does fear, any kind, any time any where
indicate a lack of nearness

that you are, that we are, that I am
not within, not under the tent of heaven,
of Grace

not beneath the canopy where it is safe
from all harm, from all danger, from all fear

outside of the embrace of God’s love
off somewhere instead, doing our own thing

out in the rain of rocks and bottles and evil

are we as near to God as a child
clinging to its mother’s skirt,
keeping out of mischief, out of harm’s way


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
5:18 a.m. 14.11.09