Even though I have a great sense of direction,It won’t help me when I reach an intersection. Recalling the way and having a good compass,Won’t save me from pitfalls, traps and hunters.The labyrinth eats pride and spits out humility,Grinds down every confident plan and ability.Each turn needs the map or the eye of a bird,And soContinue reading “Labyrinth”
Category Archives: Reflection
Paul’s Retreat at Caesarea
He paces for days around his cell impatiently. “I have so much to do! So many places to be!” He pines for weeks at the sound of rolling waves. “I’m wasting time whilst there’s so many to save” He prays for months, passionately and contrite. “Who am I to help here? To whom should IContinue reading “Paul’s Retreat at Caesarea”
Movement of the Church
Prayers for the Temple, Torah mystics, Discounted lambs, Fasts masochistic, Truth polluted, worship selfish and proud, So the people of Yah moved underground. Prayers for buildings, theological misfits, Sunday small-talk, weak tea and biscuits. Truth diluted, worship casual and unsound, So the people of Yah move underground. ~Poet of Ephraim
Prophet’s Retort
My family has disowned me and I’ve lost my wife, People mock and hit me and daily threaten my life. I’ve lost my home, my name, dignity and raiment, And called a liar and profane as an ironic payment. But He feeds me with wondrous words to guide us, Tells me to speak up andContinue reading “Prophet’s Retort”
Hold Out
Stones crumble like ash, banners loose like smoke, The black rain assails upon the hearth that’s broke. Dregs of yester wine, candles fighting for breath, Shields brittle, swords blunt, horses twisted by death. Our heroes fall or defect, the bards try to elevate, As the night watch reports of a shadowy trebuchet. How small ourContinue reading “Hold Out”
Coded: Knight Team
Muzzled like dogs, it filters both ways, Shown who to hate, told who to praise. Walls of marionettes for the Rapine O’Cells, Every relationship tried hard on the scales. Seasons lost to cognitive dissonance, Bounties on truth, parties for ignorance. Blackmailed wings for badges of vanity, Heat-changing colours of morals and sanity. ~Poet of Ephraim
The Word (Secret Eden)
Your Word is a walled garden, an Eden for my soul, A land of treasure and serenity unfurled from a scroll. Wisdom blooms always, soothing with her fragrance, Promises tower, hope shades, joy ripe in the cadence. In here I find great rest as the green plains elucidate, Lifting me up as I lay down,Continue reading “The Word (Secret Eden)”
Retribution
In the days of Jared, the Watchers descended, Their counsel at Hermon left Heaven offended. Bringing gifts of forbidden secrets they taught us, But taking our innocence, mothers and daughters, Then came the Nephilim, their gigantic offspring, Who saw us as merely food and drink offerings. All creation wed corruption in a violent revolution, ButContinue reading “Retribution”
Eternal Life
A fountain’s not in that which has sprung, Nor is it found in the spring yet to run. A fire’s not in the flame that ascends, Nor in the burnt fuel that descends. So it is with eternal life… We have it now and by it survive. Unless we persist in selfish desire, To blockContinue reading “Eternal Life”
Valley of Yahushaphat
The hyenas cackle over their bowl of bile, The pigs feast gladly on what’s wholly vile. The spiders web in bloodlust greed, The snakes crush the weak who plead. Corrupt! Corrupt are the sons of Adam! Who laugh as sons of the wicked are fattened. Both will prosper ’til the day they’re sentenced, But inContinue reading “Valley of Yahushaphat”
All Jerusalem
No stone left uncovered by a sandal or hoof, Trees groan under weight spilling over each roof. Young lifted on shoulders, even the timid get loud, Both humbled and proud the same height in a crowd. All watch the parade of a glorious eastern retinue, Saying “Tell us where the newborn King rests with you!”Continue reading “All Jerusalem”
Alas, My Rachel…
The sun at my right hand as we near the House of Bread, When my love shrieks in a way that freezes us with dread. We stop afar off and lay her down to crowds of questions, Her eyes amiss in pain as we make our blind suggestions. Why does her heart beat so loud?Continue reading “Alas, My Rachel…”
Goshen 14/1
Pharaoh now stands when Moses is announced, Abraham’s El has remembered us and pounced! Seeing a blood river would’ve been enough for me, Still he resisted though in stiff-necked blasphemy. Over Goshen’s such peace and inside, cheering! Vigils alive with songs and old stories in hearing. Eager to help, we paint doorposts with innocence, RejoicingContinue reading “Goshen 14/1”
Sapphira
What a shrewd man I married! So crafty and smart. By giving nearly all, we’re still secure and look the part! Perhaps he tarries long because he’s being applauded? I should join his side, gently, then I’ll also be rewarded! ~ I don’t hear joy or laughter, just whispers and digging, What a peculiar vibe,Continue reading “Sapphira”
That Morning at Sinai
I’ve hardly slept in two days and got a cleaning fixation, At times I couldn’t even breathe because of anticipation. Will God really appear on top of that mountain? Or will Moses say “No, because you all doubt Him!” But this morning is different, the sky’s a strange colour, All these dark clouds are encirclingContinue reading “That Morning at Sinai”
Peter on the Shore
Man, I’m exhausted…These crowds are horrendous! And when I dream it’s of a sea of faces that’s endless. They push and shove in this heat! They argue or sing, Shouting their requests over the voice of my King. I miss the days at Cana, when I had a minute to think, When we spent timeContinue reading “Peter on the Shore”
The Word (Water & Fire)
Your words surf through time and distil upon paper, Like the blessing of rain upon the faces of nature. Encompassing our lives like the seas to the islands, Bestilled for the meek but a flood for the tyrants. Your Word’s a blazing lamp, I see its burns in our past, Flames chewing up the kindlingContinue reading “The Word (Water & Fire)”
Narrow Path
How narrow is the path that leads to true life, With logic to the left and reason to the right. “We’re under grace so come out to play!” “No, you’re wrong and it’s Sabbath today!” These two crowds keep the true path compressed, Too right or too left the truth’s far too suppressed. But bothContinue reading “Narrow Path”
Woe
Who is this son of unknown, teaching us on the Law? He keeps filthy company! Traitors, lepers and whores! How does he speak thusly without our education? And why do so few of his words ruin our reputation? We’re getting shady looks now, whispers when passing, Though we prove our purity in cleansing and fasting! Continue reading “Woe”
Broken & Built
We must be broken to play the part of a servant, Only then can we bring a heart that is verdant. We must cast aside all that once truly mattered, And let our pride and strength be duly shattered. But all this works in our favour, given the fact That an image reflects more inContinue reading “Broken & Built”
How Much More…
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out.” How much more a view that casts the Word into doubt? How much more a desire to conform with the proud? How much more a focus that’s built upon a crowd? “If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off,” How muchContinue reading “How Much More…”
Khata & The Wayfarer of Night
Khata crouches at my door by the Wayfarer of Night, Who came singing songs of flattery, flirtation and fright. And whilst he sings in my voice as part of his illusion, Khata darkens the exit to force my conclusion. So I feed the Wayfarer and I get to star in his tale, “The Serenade ofContinue reading “Khata & The Wayfarer of Night”
Old Shepherd
…And look at me now! Ha! A tired old shepherd, I’m no one great, strength and disposition weathered. Soon I’ll die with no name whilst leading the flocks, In a proud palace of pastures or royal refuge of rocks! Have I wasted my life? Will El up there judge me? Am I only worth somethingContinue reading “Old Shepherd”
Justice & Mercy
There’s a Standard of Justice our Creator has made, But we all fall short of it, to some degree every day. These violations stack quickly and are never resolved, Until Judgment Day comes and we’ll pay with our soul. But there’s a Gift of Mercy our Creator has planned, He’ll write-off your violations before youContinue reading “Justice & Mercy”
Obedience in Creation
Consider the tree, how she rises with growth, Obeying the Sun as if bound by an oath. Consider the sea and his dance with the coast, A dutiful soldier, holding his post. Consider the luminaries silent conformance, A family faithful to a perfect performance. But not so with man! He makes up excuses And seesContinue reading “Obedience in Creation”
Raqia
Waters below, waters above, A sapphire window, descent of a dove. A spread out canopy, the second in sequence, The glory of heaven yet hiding its secrets. An expanse of colours, a dancing of lights, Showing patterns in days and wisdom by nights. Ignorance is bliss under His luminous tent, Until our time runs outContinue reading “Raqia”
Great Expectations
How’s he going to free us from the shadow of Rome? Will he take Herod’s Palace as the seat of his throne? Are we to be sat in the Royal Court by his side? Or are we just like that donkey – along for the ride! How will he gain control over the proud Sadducees?Continue reading “Great Expectations”
Mysterious Destiny of Doom
A chosen leaf is plucked and torn, A daisy falls in grass that’s shorn. A wedding’s sealed, a glass is smashed, A candle lives and burns its wax. So it is in the realm of men, For those with doom laid out for them. Their wicked ways serve for a function, But woe awaits andContinue reading “Mysterious Destiny of Doom”
Stumbling Block
The stumbling block for Jews is Messiah’s first arrival, The stumbling block for Gentiles is Paul and the Bible. His letters cleverly reveal your inner heart’s condition By how you interpret all the ambiguity within them. If you respect Yahweh’s Law then Paul’s a confirmation, If you don’t, it’s like he starts a brand newContinue reading “Stumbling Block”
Sheol
The womb of the earth awaits those who sleep, Pulling us into recesses of our deserved keep. Enveloped by darkness or tormented with shame, Or resting in great peace with those of good name. But once there we can’t leave in any direction, As chasms and angels serve as the protection. And there we’ll allContinue reading “Sheol”
Burdensome Friend
My burdensome friend, harassing me daily, If I don’t watch you you’ll rush to betray me. Slipping open my secrets and my negativity, Never freely doing good unless it’s serendipity. My burdensome friend, when needed you’re silent, You hinder my kindness but help me be violent. All the pain we’ve caused, you’ll never hear itContinue reading “Burdensome Friend”
CommUnity
To see another’s faults reflected within you, To hear their ways echo all they’ve been through, To hold their dream dear and try to assist them, To believe in them when all others resist them, To give them your time like it’s theirs to begin with, To trust they mean well when they seem offensive,Continue reading “CommUnity”
Clouds
A one-time event, never to be repeated, ’til day is far spent or their light is depleted. Blown in the blue canvas, spreading a story, Consuming the sun or shied by its glory. Practically still from wherever they departed, Trails, islands and whole worlds left uncharted. And who can behold them with ambivalence? The dailyContinue reading “Clouds”