The Gates Of Hell Poem by Tobbie WhiteBird Crowe

I wish I could reach out and touch
The place where you are.
I wish I could tell you how much
I'm caring inside.
But I can't cause it's all locked up
Here deep inside.
And I feel like I'm lost
And I'm walking through the gates of hell.

I've been in this place more times
Then I can even tell.
Been a hurting and a searching so long
I've lost all count.
And I can't seem to find the place,
I know I should be.
And I feel once more,
Like I'm sitting in the gates of hell.

Oh I know that your there,
And your reaching out your hand to me.
That you died on that tree
To love and set me free.
But can't you see by myself,
I just can't get out of this place;
And I'm sobbing and dying
Again in the gates of hell.

Oh wontcha' help me, wontcha' bring me
Once more away from this place.
Set me up, help me walk,
Help believe in your saving grace.
Cause I know if you don't,
I'll never make it by myself.
I'll forever roam
Behind the locked gates of hell.

You gotta come down, pick me up
And carry me out.
Cause the demons and the devils
Won't leave till you come around.
With your love and your angels
And your hand grasped tightly in mine,
You lead me out, lead me home
Away from the gates of hell.

(mid 1970s)