Poems

I would leave the comfort of my bed for just one hour beside you instead I would work all day, then fly all night for just a glance of you in my sight A midnight road, a morning train a sleepless flight, an endless rain four thousand miles beneath the sky and still I would gladly pass them by Crossing cities, skies and seas I would make the journey willingly for every mile I have to roam is worth it when it leads me home And if tomorrow asked me once again I would cross the world to see you then for no long road could ever be too far to bring you close to me What are the miles, what is the strain when love has made my heart whole again?

Queria ter cruzado tua rua (I wish I had crossed your street) num dia qualquer, sob o mesmo sol (on some ordinary day, beneath the same sun) Quem sabe no parque ou na tua igreja (perhaps in the park, or at your church) descobrir o seu sorriso seria meu farol (finding your smile I'd know my search was done) E sem saber, eu já te esperava (And without knowing, I was already waiting for you) nas voltas da vida que Deus traçava (through every turn God was leading me through) Quantos “adeus” ficaram pra trás (how many goodbyes were left behind) quantos invernos viraram paz (how many winters grew gentle and kind) Se fosse antes, não entenderia (Had it been before, I would not have known) o refrigério de quando a alma esfria (soul's sweet relief when the breeze had blown) Hoje compreendo — foi proteção (today I understand — it was protection) não era demora, era preparação (it wasn't delay, but preparation) O tempo é d'Ele, perfeito e fiel (the time is His, so perfect and faithful) uniu dois cacos sob o mesmo céu. (joined two broken pieces beneath the same sky blue.)

From waking light to evening's end your figure returns to me again through busy hours and things to do my thoughts keep wandering back to you I find it hard to understand for we've never walked hand in hand I've never seen you standing near yet I can feel your presence here It's quite a mystery to me how someone I still have to see could fill my heart whole day through from first hello to night's "love you" beneath São Paulo and Nashville skies you somehow live behind my eyes.

I want to hear your breathing near not through a phone tiny screen to touch the sweetness of your skin to feel the peace your arms bring in to hold you close when daylight ends our fingers locked like lifelong friends and pray to God in whispered grace with nothing left but your embrace.

I never thought a voice so far could reach me like a guiding star through miles of dark, it found its way and turned my night into your day we speak in echoes of countryside skies different lands, but the same worn ties and maybe these roads, so long and wide, were broken just right… to meet inside.

Perguntas e falas (Questions and words) em instantes precisos (at just the right time) como se do céu (as if from heaven) recebesse avisos (came clear signs) tuas entrelinhas (lines between your words) falam sobre mim (somehow speak about me) como se o Criador (as if the Creator Himself) almejasse um fim (had written what was to be) na dor do divórcio (in the pain of divorce) na história herdada (in a story passed down) há ecos da Graça (there are echoes of Grace) nas almas marcadas (where wounds are found) falamos de fé (we spoke of our faith) da cruz e do amor (of the cross and of love) o Pai nos uniu (the Father brought us together) no tempo da dor (when our hearts turned above) Coincidências? (Coincidences?) para quem não crê (for those who do not believe) mas os que têm olhos (but those who have eyes) veem Deus nos porquês (God is not hard to perceive) não foi obra do acaso (it was not fate or mere luck) do destino ou da sorte (Neither the work of chance) foi a benignidade (it was the loving-goodness) foi a Mão Forte. (it was the Mighty Hand.)

I count the mornings left to see then count them once again for me I count the hours then count once more like waves returning to the shore the minutes move but much too slow for every part of me must know how it will feel to hold you near and whisper words for only you to hear to see your eyes to touch your hand to stand with you where you now stand to steal a kiss to hold you tight and thank the Lord for that sweet night until this ocean lies behind I count the days till you are mine.

a few more days a few more nights a few more goodbyes from screens to flights a few more texts before your voice is not a sound but a living choice no more counting days and hours apart no more measuring miles from heart soon I will know what your embrace can do soon I will hear the breathing close to you soon days together will not be a silly dream soon your eyes and smile will not be on a screen and somewhere between Brazil and Tennessee, the woman I've missed will be waiting for me.

At the arrival, at close of day my world wrapped in harmony's sway your voice, a sweet river running free your eyes, a field in bloom to see I drew near, in a gesture brief anticipating sweet relief a subtle kiss, I felt so light no words at all, just pure delight in your skin, in its gentle grace my world dissolved without a trace a subtle secret that, unspoken by simple touch was sealed, unbroken in that single instant, pure and rare a strong bond we came to share time stood still, the sky was smiling for a flame of love just then igniting.

The walk to the front door felt so long although just a few small steps away each footstep bore a heavier weight as if my heart was meant to stay "Let's pray", I said through my tears and your gentle voice began to rise between trembling breath and pauses hope sang louder than our cries Our final long kiss had the taste of salt seasoning of tears we could not hide yet when our eyes found one last glance they turned the bitter sweetness wide I've never been a man who weeps yet every strength I'd built just fell because these tears came from love the truest and sweetest I've ever felt The Lord who wrote our first meeting wrote that painful goodbye as well and if we can see such beauty in it what joy the next hello will tell.

Sometimes old ghosts still call our names with borrowed guilt and stressing games they knock on doors we've closed before yet find no home there anymore we both were bruised by storms gone by we both asked God the reasons why but you healed the places no one knew and somehow I did that for you too so let the shadows come and leave they cannot steal what we believe for every ghost that seeks our peace finds only grace that will never cease the past may knock, it can't come in for God has brought us hope again our sweet story is just about to begin.

I used to weigh each word I'd say and wonder if I would lose the day afraid one small thing could start a storm inside another heart but now the hours just slip away from good morning to end of day and every laugh and every tear feels lighter with you, my dear we talk of simple things and deep joys we hold, the wounds we keep and never once do I pretend you became my best friend no walking on a fragile line no fear that honesty is a crime just peace and trust no need to hide with you I'm safe on every side and if you asked what love is worth see how you changed my whole world for what I treasure most to do is simply spending time with you.

You call me "love" I call you "amor" from different worlds one love forevermore You speak in English I think in Portuguese yet somehow both bring us peace I say "boa noite" you say "good night" both sound so sweet and feel so right For love was never meant to be just one language but you and me Sei que te amo now and endlessly either being here or across the sea.

If I could choose one place tonight It would be there beneath your light To laugh with you until fears fade As miles between us melt away I'd pray with you, our fingers crossed Thanking our God for all we've lost Because He led two wounded hearts Back to the place where healing starts We'd sing old songs of love and grace With quiet joy upon our faces And serve the Lord side by side With nothing left for us to hide I'd breathe the sweetness of your hair And lose myself completely there While your brown eyes drew mine so near Until the miles would disappear.

You carry burdens few can truly see yet still you guide your children faithfully though many years have left silent scars God's grace shines beyond our broken hearts He sees each prayer you whisper late at night every tear you hide beyond their sight though the road feels far from calm tonight He walks beside us, leading with His light.

Na hora mais escura te vi chegar (In the darkest hour I saw you arrive) Como um farol a me guiar (Like a lighthouse to guide me) Trazias fé e paz no falar, (You brought faith and peace in your words,) Caminhos para recomeçar (Paths to start over) Em meio à dor (Amid the pain) ganhei calor (I found warmth) Na vida brotou (In life hope) esperança como flor (bloomed like a flower) Assim é o... amor. (That is... love.)

A vida quis (Life wanted) que fosse depois (It happened with delay) pra curar as feridas (to heal all the wounds) que havia nos dois (that in us both did stay) Quem sabe mais cedo (Perhaps too soon) nada daria certo (nothing would gone right) pois só se valoriza o amor (for love is most valued) quando o coração é deserto (when the heart has lost its light) Mesmo tardio (Although it came late) chegou com razão (it arrived for a reason) no tempo exato (so meant to be) da restauração (in restoration's season) Hoje só vejo (Now I see, I see) o plano maior (a plan greater than the rest) que no tempo divino (In His divine timing) Ele faz o melhor. (He knows the best.)

Sois brilhantes sóis de avelã (You are bright hazelnut suns) onde me perco em doce fé (where I lose myself in faith so sweet) são lagos de sereno brilho (serene bright lakes, where tenderness runs) por onde escoa o teu carinho (gentle stream that makes my heart complete) em teus olhos, seguro porto (in your eyes, my harbor safe and true) encontro neles meu caminho (I find the path that leads me home) o mundo some, a alma cala (the world fades away, the soul falls mute) feição dócil que me abraça (your tender grace embraces me alone) não há poema ou fotografia (no poem, no photograph could portray) a capturar tamanha harmonia (the harmony that in your beauty lies) a mais bela arte, belo verso (the finest art, the most beautiful display) admirá-los, meu universo (is simply to admire your pretty eyes) são meu refúgio e minha meta (they are my refuge and my cherished aim) minha atividade predileta (my favorite task, my sweetest delight) neles me entrego e ali resido (in them I surrender, and there I remain) em teus olhos, meu terno abrigo. (in your eyes, my precious bright light.)

Before we met, I thought I knew how deeply I could fall for you your voice, your heart, your gentle grace had long become my favorite place but now I've held your hand in mine watched your brown eyes softly shine I've heard your laughter fill the air and found a greater beauty there you didn't simply meet my dreams or match the picture they had drawn you gently walked beyond them all like sunlight breaking through the dawn I loved the woman I imagined then I love the one I know far more I've never been so sure as when my love grows stronger than before.

What if your eyes undo me face to face and every fear just falls without a trace? because no stranger ever felt this known no distant voice has ever felt like home we lose whole nights in laughter, prayer, and song, as if our hearts have recognized all along and though the miles stand tall between us now for you, I'd cross them all, and still somehow.