Subj : [CHRISTIA] new poetry, "Excuses and Abstractions To : Practical Christian Life From : Mark Date : Sun Jun 14 2020 12:57:45 From: lamppoet@CENTURYTEL.NET (Mark) A bit of a contemporary riff. "Excuses and Abstractions" ("David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, O Lord, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.'" 2 Samuel 24:10b) Call me foolish; but not like David. I have forgotten the numbers and so, for now, write unabated. The ink has not dried; the smoke still circles the inkwell where the last shootout transpired. We hoped emerging sounds, cries of the stricken, prayers of the dying and pistols whipping up the air like last year's carousels would Once And over Wake the lazy thinker snoozing in the clover and turn his mask around to see, eyes properly adjusted, that freedom is busted when everyone locks their doors and electrifies their opinions. Let us be clear, the numbers are stronger than Saturn's rings; the answer clearer than Dylan sings: The excuses were buried in the mud and come up when the tide rises. Now Abel's blood recites the latest chorus to add the next verse to the blindman's dirge. We could offer freedom, if we were free; we could save the water, if we would see the blood on the streets, the blood upon the walls, the blood upon the white tees, the blood upon the laws and order, the hoarders and the spenders; if the next time We see the menders binding wounds, owning slurs, and spending dimes on candles to guide surgeon's hands; all we ask, all we seek, today, this minute, not tomorrow and next week; Black Lives Matter (how many eyes does it take to be opened, before we despise our own jealousies). I am far too quiet, too far removed. I will not count the numbers, fear the decaffeinated mood of anyone (thus far in this bit of writing I'd say) I will not steer clear of mental paradoxes used by proper instructor meant to steal younger minds from thinking if Jesus appreciates our excuses and abstractions to miss the opportunity in The middle of the road. Missing, mark p. lamppoet@centurytel.net Mark's Blog (to be removed from the list, simply reply with the request: "Please remove". God's best!) For subscription information, visit To leave the list, send the command UNSUB CHRISTIA to LISTSERV@LISTS.ASU.EDU --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .