Romans 7

I guess that it’s this skin I’m in

Gets high from the adrenaline

Of seeing sin and diving in

And skating ice that’s just too thin.

I ask forgiveness and I know

I treat the Blood like mop-and-glow.

To fix my mess and heal my pain

I open yet another vein.

I find this war within myself

I fight me like I’m someone else

I know the way that I should choose

But “should’s” don’t always become “do’s.”

I would be ok anyway

And I could make it through the day,

If rule books didn’t say “No Way,”

I wouldn’t even want to stray.

And though I know I’ll look a fool

I break it just ‘cause it’s a rule

I make a mess of everything

Just ‘cause the sign says “keep it clean.”

I find this war within myself

I fight me like I’m someone else

I know the way that I should choose

But “should’s” don’t always become “do’s.”

I find that I too often lose.

The Holy “should’s” turn God-damned “do’s.”

And yet the “should’s” are perfect truths

that make me lie. I’m so confused.

I scream out to God in Heaven,

“How do I get to eight from seven?”

I’m trapped with me, tormented wretch

Till I escape myself through death.

I find this war within myself

I fight me like I’m someone else

I know the way that I should choose

But “should’s” don’t always become “do’s.”

I find this war within myself

I hate this part that’s someone else

How is it that I can escape

This stupid, self-inflicted rape

I find this war within myself

I fight me like I’m someone else

I’m breaking down. The loser wins.

I follow me through countless sins

I know the way that I should choose

But “should’s” don’t always become “do’s.”

I’m trapped with me, tormented wretch

Till I escape myself through death.

I scream out to God in Heaven,

“How do I get to eight from seven?”

Benjamin J. Cline

9/8/02