The War Within

This is my version of Romans 7...

Lofty, ethereal dreams
  elevate my mind;
    but darkened notions and schemes
    subjugate and bind
  my willingness to seek what I envision.
Am I back in the valley of decision?!

Why do I do
  what I don't want to do?
Why don't I do
  what I know I should do?

There is no goodness in me--
  in my flesh, that is.
    Am I what I long to be?
    Is this all there is,
  this war between the realms of darkness and light?
I'm soaring high, and then I fall in mid-flight!

Why do I do
  what I don't want to do?
Why don't I do
  what I know I should do?

And it's clear to me now: I am a wretched man.
  Who will deliver me from this body of death?
I will seek the face of the only One who can
  free and revive me with his life-imparting breath?

The goal is to do what's right; it's my desire.
  But evil lies close at hand; dark thoughts conspire.

Why do I do
  what I don't want to do?
Why don't I do
  what I know I should do?
Why do I do
  what I don't want to do?
Why don't I do
  what I know I should do?


© 2019 David Acosta Perez