'Let's Start Again'

‘This self-assembly kit
just doesn’t seem to fit:
so, back to the beginning, –
(and try to keep my head from spinnning!)
Can anyone make sense of it?’

‘Oh, no! I’ve crossed the line
spoilt the picture with my felt-tip pen,
– please, can I have another sheet?
and start again!’

‘Now, choir, go back and start again at ‘A’,
and, this time try to stay
in tune, in time together,
not drifting raggedly astray.’

Broken promises, and spite,
jabbing tongues, and public slight,
‘Is there any way to start
“slate-wiped-clean”, again, good friends, warm heart –
not hurting thoughtlessly,
or carelessly
annoying,
fragile love destroying?’

Feeling helpless, hopeless, dead,
can’t resist,
or do kind things I really want to do instead.
What point is there in trying yet again
without conviction, promise, confidence
that this time I can keep aright
upon the path of innocence?

I need a higher power
to quicken love and self-control,
revitalize, support my clumsy soul.

The One who could make Saturn’s rings,
can help me overcome my sins,
and has authority to give
forgiveness, if I want to live
now with his help a better way.

‘Let’s start again’, I want to say,
and not just once, but every day
know when I slip, begin to stray
he’ll help me bounce right back on track.

Creator of our human flesh,
could make it without stain afresh
for he, himself to come to pay
the debt of all who pardon pray:
empowering mentor, come to stay.

And one day, truly everything
will start again, no blight, or fright,
no killing, hurting, hate or stealing, –
I want to be there, make me fit!