I simply had the image of two: I simply had the image of two people shouting at each other and the words that started each sentence would fall on the floor. 'Cock-up' came from reading Beavis
Well stated, and it's a: Well stated, and it's a pleasure to be among those PostPoemies. Faceless, mute to the ear, but never quiet, for our true voice is heard in our words, and it's always a pleasure to listen here, to yours. Hugss back at ya.
nice of you to stop by SS,: nice of you to stop by SS, hopefully more and more people will open their eyes, and come to the realization things have to change before we no longer have the opportunity to change, or we'll all settle in our own dust. Thanks Smoothie, always a pleasure.
Upon reflection: So I love this style of word riddle, is it the voices in the back of our head that cause us to spew forth the words of our embarrassment? Or an encounter of the modern 'isms' that make us wish we had said nothing at all? I am a curious man, as the creator, what was your thought behind it?
Thank you for that very: Thank you for that very complimentary comment. Knowing my verbosity, perhaps you will pardon me for sharing an anecdote about this poem, an incident that took place shortly after I posted it.
During my high school and college years, I often experienced test anxiety, and it continued to aggravate me long after I left those academic institutions. I have often believed that death is the final test given in the school of life, and while I am not afraid (in the theological sense) of my death (thanks to my Faith), I have often been afraid of how I will face those last moments---being what I am, an inevitable screw-up.
After I posted the poem, that "still small voice" that has been so quick and kind to guide me at important junctures, the voice I heard as far back as July, 1974, that Friday night when I left my bed, after being asleep, to step outside and look at the stars . . . that voice said to me that the last two lines of the poem are to remind me of all the times Jesus said, in the Gospels, "Do not be afraid," and that I should cling to that aspect of the Scriptures in the final, waning moment.
Positively one of your: Positively one of your greatest achievements on so many levels. First, it moved me, and to deeply move the reader is enough, in my humble opinion, to call a poem great.
With poetic sleight of hand, ingenious simplicity and penetrating theological insight, you raised our vision far above this chaotic world with its countless tragedies, the greatest perhaps being the tortuous murder of an innocent, persecuted person.
And yet in the center of the most agonizing storm, you part the clouds of our narrow human focus and unleash a torrent of consoling, embracing, soul-altering light.
I say this without hesitation and in all honesty: this is magnificent, heart-clutching art, and I'm deeply honored, overwhelmed actually, by the dedication.
God bless.
Thank you very much for: Thank you very much for visiting and reading the poem, and for the kind and thoughtful words, and the compliment. I have been fervently, even at times fanatically, interested in early Christian history since I was twelve years old (over five decades ago). That interest even affected my choice of my major at college. I find think the Galilean churches were, and are, a perfect example for all Christian Faith: inclusive of all who want to be included (tax collectors, prostitutes, former lepers, even Romans no longer part of the colonial administration), fiercely loyal to the fellowship, and not given to the stifling structures of institutionalization (which always seems to be a temptation to human beings). Plus, their distance---both geographically and spiritually---from the "official" religion, and their disregard of its extreme demands: all of this, I think, indicates why Jesus ministered to those people, at that time in History, and chose his Apostles and Evangelists from among them. They were called, by the rabbis and pharisees, am ha'aretz---or "people of the land"; the pharisees also called them "the people who eat with unwashed hands." One religious authority at that time even suggested that the am ha-aretz had no souls. And these were the very people of whom Jesus assembled His Church. They are my spiritual ancestors, and as I draw nearer to my own time to depart this world, I want to know more about them, as I fully expect to meet them as soon as I get there.
Yep, once the benefit of: Yep, once the benefit of hindsight settles in the rea view mirror of life those with the benefit of foresight will be vindicated but at what cost? I breathe this sentiment every day and praise every time a minds eye is opened. Hugss
Yeah, the ol plank out of: Yeah, the ol plank out of your eye before you take the speck out of someone else's... oblivious is the new way of life or death... keen observations you. Am see it all even with your eyes closed... yeah sin, rinse, repeat, Mybe one day they notice? Maybe they won't being different is one thing, knowing who you are is another which is a more powerful identity? The one you create, or the one that endures? The reflection of self or the actual self. Some deep and profound nooks and crannies in this expert observation. Hugss
The beauty of your humbleness: The beauty of your humbleness is always refreshing. I often ponder was faith easier or harder back then, and in its infancy, was salvation an easy road, passionate road? are we more passionate now vs then, or more enlightened? What it it that stirred the apostles to such complete faith? Yet some stillbetrayed it... and yet with out that betrayal who could be saved? Hard rules to live by easy rules to break such a conundrum either way, I believe faith is the same from then to now and if it is the only salvation offered then why shouldn't we take it? No guns to our heads just an offer of trust... do much to gain but what do we lose? I loved this because it .makes me question deeper. Hugss and blessings of health and wellness in body and soul.
Thank you very much for your: Thank you very much for your comment, and for your kind words about the poem. Since I was a teen, I have wanted to be able to get back to the earliest basics of the Faith---and that means Galilee. And one can derive from the four Gospels' many quotations of the Psalms that the Psalmody was very important both to Jesus and to His followers; and that is what, at this late stage of my earthly life, I need more of in my life. One of the blessings of this affliction is that, confined to the armchair as I am, but with the laptop in front of me, I can explore these aspects of Christian History more devotedly than I did in school, when I was far too immature to appreciate what I would have found.
Sorry for my verbose reply. Thank you for your comment, and for your concern about my situation. I ask your prayers; and I assure you of mine.
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