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A home without a wall, |
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| Voices on the Web |
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A Dark sunday |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855
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Yes, the strange capitalization is intentional.  This is an older poem of mine I've always enjoyed.Mike -A Dark sunday- "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, Looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God And Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened And the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." -Acts, 7:55-6 A priest cloaked in sacred clothes lowers his uplifted hands And the gold chalice contained within them. His face, an old knot, comes together at the lips and shivers. I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, he thinks And then bows his head, but not in prayer. The people in the pews, kneeling, look out at him And bow their heads, too. Without a word the priest turns toward the altar And places the chalice on purple cloth, etched with a golden cross. Stained-glass light filters over his hands as he opens them and sees no wounds. He turns and looks at Christ bloated in stone on His cross, then averts his eyes. The only sound are those of breathing, the movement of flesh against cloth. The priest turns his head, opens his eyes, and looks full into the stone figure. He'd seen one of these figures before, on an altar at a Hispanic church When he was lecturing in Los Angeles. God is mass-produced and a myth, he thinks. Oh Lord, I'm sorry. I am a vessel of You and now emptied. I'm sorry, Lord. But I am only human. I cannot understand what You have for me. I cannot believe in nothing. He walks off the altar, throwing down his robes, and takes step after step Out of the church, with the hot silence of people waiting around him. He imagines how it sounds--the working of the latch and the closing Of the steel doors against the cold as he walks into it and away from his flock. Then through the snow, toward his car, he loses his balance on the ice. He rolls--turning puddles of snow lightly pink--and clutches his wound. Blood comes away onto his palms. He cries for what he has lost. The people come out--parishioners and possible believers-- And rush to him. Asking him questions. Helping him up. He falls again. "He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." -Acts, 7:60 [This message has been edited by bsquirrel (edited 06-25-2000).] |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This is a brave choice, my friend, and I am so glad that you made it. You are amazing. Make me think, PLEASE. I vote here. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, Looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God And Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened And the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." -Acts, 7:55-6 A priest cloaked in sacred clothes lowers his uplifted hands And the gold chalice contained within them. His face, an old knot, comes together at the lips and shivers. I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, he thinks And then bows his head, but not in prayer. The people in the pews, kneeling, look out at him And bow their heads, too. Without a word the priest turns toward the altar And places the chalice on purple cloth, etched with a golden cross. Stained-glass light filters over his hands as he opens them and sees no wounds. ----------------- too stunned and awed to worship ... c'ept to say ... you are amazing jm/bs |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
I am reminded of a line I heard once, " I know I believe in nothing but it is my nothing." Religion is always a subject I am willing to rant on about, but I shall hold my tongue. Just to say was once a catholic now believe in spiritualy/taoism. Well B squirrel wow... a very vivid picture you paint. I don't know how priests do it, carry on with such faith. They are brave strong souls but as you said only human. we still expect them to be angels in training, to have white glowing souls. An excellent poem, one that deserves its place on the page of the passions book. excellent read. A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
"His face, an old knot, comes together at the lips and shivers." My only complaint about this piece, Mike, is that it ended. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
S'en, consider it payback then, for all the times you've made me think. I'm always glad to Butterfly Slippers, you're not allowed to make me blush! Brian, I believe god is god in any religion -- there's too many parts of him for us to understand, so we break it up in manageable chunks. That flies in the face of my early learning, too, but so what? It feels right, and I think, is right. Glad you enjoyed the poem. Claire, I've missed you, friend. You always know exactly what to say with the most impact in the fewest words. You are a poet. Mike |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
P.S. Brian: I take it theology isn't very popular these days. That's too bad. Mike (who wishes he was allowed to edit a post longer than 24 hours old, so he wouldn't have to do multiple messages to the same person --- arrrgh! ) |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Mike, the imagery amazing...a word picture so human ... God in manageable chunks, loved that comment, because it is the way I look at it... |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Martie, thank you, and I'm glad you didn't see my comment as blasphemous. It wasn't meant to be. Mike |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
uhm wow I dunno what to say or think...but this is an incredible insight. ~Heather |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
bsguirrel, You got my vote on this one. |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Xangel and Seymour, Thanks! Mike |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Ka-bump! |
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