Torn Between Love, Religion and Responsibility

By A. M. LINTON

When Peter Crawford was attacked with a knife by his mother, he went to live with his father and stepmother. Peter thought that his stay was only going to be for a short period of time, but years and years passed and he was still living there. Meanwhile a brother and two sisters were born.

Now that Peter'seighteenth birthday was only a few months away he was torn between his love for his mother, his promise to God, and his responsibility towards his siblings. What will he do?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9781468517293

A. M. LINTON

A.M. Linton is married to R. Anthony Linton (two of whose poems are included in her book) and live in Barbados with their three year old daughter Angel-Clare.  Even though this is her first published book, a few of her short stories have been published in one of the island’s newspaper. Her hobbies include studying the Bible, spending time with her family, visiting the library,  reading and writing.

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© 2005 A. M. LINTON. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/18/04

ISBN: 1-4208-1299-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-1729-3 (ebook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004099126

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

TORN BETWEEN

LOVE - RELIGION - AND RESPONSIBILITY

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

SUICIDE - THE GREAT DIVIDE

TORN BETWEEN

LOVE - RELIGION - AND RESPONSIBILITY

I was dragged out of my sleep

Wishing that I could keep

But hearing a baby weep

Wishing that in a dream

I could be driving a jeep

That was neat

But instead

Dragged to my feet

A sleepy state that was so deep

But a crying sibling I had to meet

Being in that situation is like a sin

Because I’m torn

Between love, religion and responsibility

I am seventeen

This life—I didn’t see it coming

Or could’ve seen

With this life that was given to me

Most people wouldn’t be too keen

Situations could’ve made me mean

Only God could make my heart and life clean

Without Him I don’t know how my life wouldn’t been

So far that’s why I’ve been torn

Between love, religion, and responsibility

I’m torn apart because of love

I see this sickness

And it makes me a mess

But I don’t think of her any less

In due time I learn to look above

And let Him carry you

Like wings of a dove

You know love fits

Like a hand in a glove

I’m torn apart because of religion

I have to make a decision

Do I really want Godly affiliation?

What is the real purpose

Of confirmation?

Born in sin

But my spirit

Born with heavenly association

In need of a divine suggestion

- Because -

Death seeps, from me my life

Like strangulation

- Or asphyxiation -

Hell on earth

Or a Godly nation

I don’t know—that’s why I’m torn

Between love, responsibility, and religion

I am torn apart because of responsibility

It makes me so tired

Can’t you see?

Because of love

I do not flee

I’ll soon be a man

That’s what God destined me to be

A calling from the heavenlies

- Responsibility -

A blow to the stomach

With a knee

But I’m beginning to see

The answer for me

Given divinely

My responsibilities

Is a lock

And Jesus is the key

I am torn between

Love, religion and responsibility!

Love, religion, and responsibility

Hurt, pain and poverty

Taking one’s life

There is a high fee

That will not flee

You hurt others

-Even me-

Look to God

And question not

And ask who is He?

That can not be

A great divide

Like the sea

God is the key

Once we realize that

We won’t be torn between

Love, religion, and responsibility.

Written by: Robert Linton

TORN BETWEEN LOVE, RELIGION, AND RESPONSIBILITY

Dedicated to my sister, Gloria. Though your visit was short, you will always be remembered.

CHAPTER ONE

I was slowly dragged out of my sleep by the sound of a baby crying and was greeted by darkness.

I’m so tired, I thought, dragging my left hand over my sweaty face.

The baby stopped crying and as I was drifting back to sleep, my eyes suddenly popped open again. A familiar, but different voice was crying now. I sat up, swung my feet onto the floor, and stretching out my left foot, I searched for my brother Paul. He was not in the room. With my eyes now adjusted to the darkness, I got out of bed, tiptoed around the two bodies lying asleep on the floor, and soundlessly opened the bedroom door.

As I pushed the door closed behind me, I heard the cocks crowing outside. My eyes flew to the clock at the far corner on the wall. The living room was too dark for me to make out the time. From custom and familiarity, I reached out for the handle of the door next to ours, then stepping inside, I lifted my hand and pressed the light switch on. My right hand was already over my eyes, so the sudden brightness did not take too long for my