Portfolio

Academic Writing Sample

I know (2023)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2023

To know that you see me
See Your face turned toward me.

Thought I’d be locked in that cage forever
No light in that tunnel
Living life with my head down
Grinding it out
Forgot that I could live
Walking right beside You

There’s a posture to the rut
Numb
Struggled to feel that spark again
I’m not going to always know that You’re there
But I know that You are there
My faith is stagnant
But You’re steadfast
Want my character to reflect Yours

Childlike embrace
Of something so expansive.
We don’t need to wrap our heads around.

If not for You (2022)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2022

We are listening
Say what you need to say
Speak to us, Lord
Because we need you
Because we long to hear from you
We long to hear Your voice
This heart depends on You
Father.
Father.
Father.
Let Your Spirit come and rest on us.
Dwell within us.
Make our lives a place where you delight to work.
At the foot of the cross
Is where I am
When I close my eyes.
The place where everything
I’ve ever done
And ever will do
Was laid to rest
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Unworthy to look upon Your blistered body
Torn up for my iniquities
Took my place on that cross.
Would’ve been me if not for You.

Letters on a page (2022)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2022

Letters on a page
Is that all I will become?

Broken syllables of a memory
Three words to describe my existence.

Obituary
What does it say about me?
What will you say about me?

Did I really take the secrets to my grave?
Or are they hidden between the spaces of the letters in my name?

Letters on a page
That spell out my name.

E – M – I – L – Y
A – S – H – T – O – N
R – A – D – C – L – I – F – F – E

In loving memory of…
A collection of letters above.

Passerbyers see what’s left of me.
Merely ink on a page.

Will those who remember me,
Remember me?
Did I leave a lasting impression?

Is your memory of me
Worth telling the next generation?

Or will memory of me
Die with those who knew me?

Ink.
Letters.
Words on a page.

E – M – I – L – Y
A – S – H – T – O – N
R – A – D – C – L – I – F – F – E

Who is this memory to you?

Overthinker (2022)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2022

I think, I think too much.
Day and night my mind be spinnin’ like a record.

I think, I think too much.
Thinking ‘bout the things that I coulda done differently.

I think, I think too much.
…I think.

I think, I think too much.
These hypotheticals are getting the best of me.
I think, I think too much.
My overthinking might be the death of me.

I think, I think too much.
Out here thinking ‘bout how I think too much.

My mind
Runs circles around you.
My heart
Gets heavy at the thought of losing you.
My mind
Be in OVERDRIVE
Thinking ‘bout the things
That you be thinking ‘bout me.
‘Can’t take this headache any longer.
Think I might need something stronger.

These catch 22s
Are the dues that I must pay
To be an overthinker every single day.
I get to choose
The villain of this story.
And it’s me or you.

For the one (2022)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2022

You left the 99 to come get me.
Through the pouring rain
You covered me.
Everytime I fell
You bent down and picked me up again.
What kind of King cares so much for a child that always fails?
Feel like I can’t do anything well.
But still, You call me friend.
You are seated high and lifted up.
I was drenched in sin
I could never touch
Your glory.
So you came down to me.

Purpose (2021)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2021

Many things happen for a reason
And the bad things can be turned around.
So please don’t think that your life is worthless
‘Cause I have a Friend who gives beauty for ashes.
I know a God who will turn it around.

Have faith in the impossible.
Have faith in what our God can do.
Have faith that your life ain’t over.
If you woke up this morning
He’s not done with you yet.

Have faith in tomorrow.
Have faith
Don’t feed sorrow.
Be glad that He woke you up today
And be glad that your life has a purpose.

What are you so afraid of? (2021)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2021

Reaching a point past redemption.
Being unwanted, unlovable.
Rejection from God.
Being utterly alone. Without God.
Making a seemingly meaningless
Small
Inconspicuous
Decision that ends up ruining my existence.
A bad ending.
Being wrong about everything I think I know to be true.
Making a catastrophic decision that I can never undo.
Spending my life and eternal life alone.
Becoming a negative person that repels the company and affection of others.
Losing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Not taking the leap when I should have.
Letting life pass me by without impact and meaning.
Saying “yes” when I should’ve said “no”
Pressing “stop” when I should’ve kept going.
To open up my heart to someone just for them to leave me.
To be unseen.
Misinterpreted.
Unheard.
Misjudged.
Left behind.
Becoming someone I don’t want to be.
Being an embarrassment.
A joke that isn’t funny.
Hurting people I truly love.
Hurting people that won’t hurt me.
Ruining good relationships.
Getting hurt again.
Seeing everyone surpass me in life while I stay stuck.
Being detested for something i am unaware of or cannot change about myself.
To be unoriginal.
Indistinguishable from the rest.
Losing someone who was “the one”.
The consequences of not knowing what I don’t know that I should know.

Of my fear itself.
How far it’ll drive me.
How much more it’ll haunt me.
What else is there to fear?

Beautiful (2018)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2018

God, You are beautiful.
Every creature
Every scene
You have made, by hand.

God, You are beautiful.
From the depths of the sea
To every mountain top.

God, You are beautiful.
I am so glad You’re in my life
Because You make it beautiful.

I am (2017)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2017

Fearfully and wonderfully made
That is who You say that I am.
And despite what I think of me
I am a child of God.

Insecure (2017)

By: Emily Radcliffe
Date: 2017

Imperfections.
Imperfections.
That’s what I see in the mirror.
You see beauty.
I see pity.
Man, I wish I could see what you see.