[Nyte Byrd]

Riders on the Storm (This Man I Met)

When I was younger, so much more so than today,
'twas then I saw her, so white and pure, come prancin' 'cross my way.
I admit, I was so scared, I never rode before;
but wasn't long that she and I were riding on the shore.

She quickly 'came part of my life and gently filled my soul.
I found I missed her when she was gone, my life, it was not whole.
Lovely mare, who fills my dreams, I'll take you in my arms.
So secure, I could not fail, no one could do me harm.

As I would sleep, her casting shadow watched me through the night.
I listened to her godly words, that this was oh so right.
When troubles grew, she stood by me, the only one who stayed;
I held her near when I was hurt, alone or just afraid.

I'd often try to leave her, but she'd be there in my dreams.
She'd show up in my deepest thoughts, she'd be part of my schemes.
Her love, it grew quite selfish, the most important thing.
'twas then that I had realized, that was not just a one night fling.

I tried to hide and runaway, but she'd always track me down.
She'd be there on the corner of every city, every town.
I couldn't live without her, my body called her name;
without her here in my arms, my life was not the same.

Suddenly our love had turned, she soured in my blood.
Rainy days became my life, the shores turned into mud.
The more I tried to jump off, the faster she would run.
Her spirit killing coldness blotted out the warming sun.

I figured I would one day find a way to change her course,
but my dreams became my nightmares while I rode upon this horse.
One day, I finally fell off, I hurt from head to toe.
A man, he did approach me, he said, "Son, just let go."

I met a room of riders, who rode this hellbent steed.
They gave me hope to believe again, they helped to plant the seed.
A twelve step stairway was before me, I stared at those ahead.
This man I met was with me, I shook as I was led.

He smiled and said, "It's over, you needn't hide nor run."
I knew now that I had enough, I stood upon step one.
I took the little hope I had, sincerely watched in grow.
The other riders on the storm had much to tell and show.

I began to believe in those I met, although at first a few.
I came to believe that they could help, I now stood on step two.
This man I met, he asked me, "What is it you decide?
Do you want to gamble some or do you let it ride?"

I told this man, whom I believed, was greater than myself,
that I had felt I trusted him, I gave him all that's left.
"I know I'm beat and I believe that you know better than me".
It was then I stood my first time upon the next step three.

I asked this man just who he was, he said the same as I.
He said, "Go ahead and take a look, but above all else, don't lie."
And when I saw what I'd become from about age nine or ten,
I took a sheet of paper and used an old Bic pen.

I wrote down all that bothered me, give or take a little more.
This man looked at me approvingly as I moved up to step four.
He told me I should share this, with someone I could trust.
I asked him, "Do I have to?", he said "Oh yes, you must."

The fear, it overwhelmed me, I stopped dead in my tracks;
I tunred around and shuddered, "Oh no, I can't go back."
This man, he said he'd listen if I told him all my fears.
Somehow I felt God listened as I read holding back my tears.

The bag of doubts I carried that was filled with guilt and shame
did not feel quite as heavy when I learned I was not too blame.
I felt relieved to admit to him, I was glad to be alive;
and if God were there, I think He'd say, "You've made it to step five."

I learned to pray that I could see just what this meant to me.
I realized as time went by, I'm where I'm supposed to be.
And 'though I felt awareness of just who I really am,
I felt so damned inadequate, a defective little man.

These flaws here in my character, the ones that paved the way
for the life that I have lived so long, right on into the day
have revealed a startling truth to me, burned into my brain.
I look back with much reflection, my life had been insane.

That's when it really hit me, I must change all that I could.
I needed to start living a life of what is good.
The man I met said, "Don't ask me, this is not my cue."
He said, "I hope this does not sound too cruel, but the rest is up to you."

That's when I knew there was only one chance left for me.
I needed to learn how to pray, so my spirit would be free.
I was tired of feeling angry, my pride I could not fix.
That's when I became ready to move up to step six.

I looked up to the heavens, I said, "Hey God, it's me!
self-centered with an ego and selfish as can be.
I know now that you see this, I am no longer blind
It's all that I am made of, of my soul and of my mind."

"Humbly, I beseech Thee, My God, who art in heaven,
I'll do my best to start to change", I looked upon step seven.
The man I met said, "Remember those that you had brought on harm."
I thought of mom, I thought of dad, I saw scars on my arm.

The lies I lived were many, they severed valued trust.
If I've a chance to go on, amends they are a must.
So I wrote down names of those I owed, the ones I hurt so bad,
although I could not repay those with the little that I had.

The man I met said, "That's okay, as long as you are willing."
I knew I was and this day I'd start, what a brand new feeling!
Some I knew I'd just let go, more harm would come than good,
'twas then that I had realized it was on step eight I stood.

I sought out those I knew I hurt just to say I cared.
I told them what my motives were, and now the truth was bared.
I became responsible and paid back those I owed,
'though forgiveness was not important, at least that's what I was told.

With debts repaid and right was done, I gazed at this step nine;
one thing I could not give back at all, and that one thing is time.
As each day now passes by I sit back and I reflect
what I took for granted and all that I neglect.

Another day will be brand new, I learned how to atone.
I give an honest day at work, I handle things at home.
I think about my motives as to what, where, how and when.
I do this everyday now, I stepped upon step ten.

The man I met, he had a look I could not quite define.
He seemed so calm and so serene, a real peace of mind.
I somehow knew what I must do now if ever I'm to grow;
and so that night I laid there and prayed that I could know

Just what it is I'm doing and that it is God's will.
These things I have been doing up to then until.
I used to play craps in the hall, but never rolled a seven,
but here I am now, calmly swaying on step eleven.

The man I met, he stood before me, one step ahead of me.
I asked him "Was there room there, so I could get to see?"
I didn't know how he got there, the answer was not clear.
The man, he smiled and looked at me with tender loving care.

I asked him, "Sir, what must I do to get to where you are?
You seem so close and yet somehow the answer seems so far."
He told me that "it's easy, this is all you need to do,
go down to help another up just as I did for you."

I turned around and looked back, there stood that awesome steed.
A man who had just fallen off looked as if he was in need.
It was then that it had hit me, what I must do, now I know.
I rushed back down to greet him, and said "Son, just let go."

NB 1990 (r)