The Abyss

I reach out to grasp it; it slips through my grip It trickles down my skin. I aim the lens to capture a shot And, oh for what, then? What I hold in my hand is but an image There, something does lack Life, I perceive, is farther off Beyond where my fingers crack To trace the stars t'would take a lifetime And, that is what we get Where stars radiate, we call "sky" But, in this name, such depth The net I possess; this construct of words Never quite contains Like salt of the sea or sand of the desert Something else remains And there you are, ancient mystery, Light on the waves, gleaming Beneath the surface you manifest The essence and the meaning

The term floats around through "secular" & "sacred" society as a choice weapon for debate.  As we understand it, "free will" is defined as a free choice.  But, a free choice of what?  To choose God; or not.  At this juncture, predestination and determinism enter the scene.  Common understanding of predestination is that God has already chosen who He is going to choose.  The question to this method is this:  wherein lies Grace and the Cross?  Determinism, as I understand, suggests that we have no free will because external causes impress upon us.  Herein lies the psychological nature versus nurture paradigm.  But, can Free Will be understood with a fresh lens? Before he can formulate a word, an infant takes cues off of the expressions of his caretaker's face.  As he ages, he learns to understand the dialect that is impressed upon him.  These are beautiful phenomenons.  He grows up learning the rules set down for him a...

Promises, like leaves, blow in the wind; Numerous they are for sure. I chased after Yours with such faith & zeal Till my lungs could bear no more. I sat on a rock watching others pass. They seemed to not notice me there. I waved & I smiled trying to catch my breath. I thought You said, “Draw near.” So, I picked myself up as a gentleman should With the distance now in mind Weighing me down like gravity That Promise, harder to find. The beast came upon me beguiling my thoughts. “Is this all not a waste of time? Live for the moment, nothing else; Surely, you’ll find peace of mind. In my anguish, I replied, “What else can I do? What did I really attain? These worn out lungs & a heavy mind And this smile I must feign?” The beast became a companion And led me to his den; Impressions on the walls surround From others who have walked therein. Fear evaded my fading eyes; For my heart, I could not feel. And, I sai...

     How much louder can I pump up this music to drown out the noise in my head?  A little....louder.  Look at that guy over there.  He thinks he is so cool with his hair all done up like that.  A little...louder.  You like that?  Ugh.  The brisk air.  Might as well roll up my window.  Oh, but hey, they need to hear my music so I might as well roll it down just a crack.  A little...more.      What a long drive this has been.  Back and forth I go:  home...work...work...home.  Can you believe that prick tailgating me?  The nerve!  Why can't people just have a little decency out here?  That quick stop I made to signify that he should back off did the trick.  Oh, how much power I have by doing something so simple.      Hopefully, today will be an easy day.  This music should definitely motivate me.  I can feel the frequencies vibrating down ...

Enter the Big top Exit the mundane Welcome to the show Come sun or come rain Taste the peanuts See the dim artificial light All beneath this colorful tent Contortionists and men of might The dung of elephants Is masked by perfume You will forget its there Once the archer enters the room Clowns fill the transitions The show well prepared So much energy behind the scenes The choreographers' vision shared The acrobats fly in the air The scenes effortlessly flow But without people in the bleachers There wouldn't be a show

Man (dinging the bell at the counter): Hey! Man keeps ringing bell Clerk (comes out of back room with groggy eyes):  How may I help you, sir? Man:  The mattress is too soft and the water isn’t hot enough!  And, the TV keeps reading “no signal”. Clerk:  I’m sorry for the inconvenience sir.  I can have an attendant come flip the mattress.  There isn’t much I can do about the water; and the blizzard outside is corrupting the reception.  We strive to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Man:  Well, I find no comfort.  I’m checking out!  I am gonna find a better place. Clerk:  I’m sorry you feel that way, sir... Man drops key at the counter taking his big black suitcase with him as he stomps out the door.  He fades off into the great white world as a specter evaporating into an abyss. 3 hours pass.. Man (dinging the ball at the counter):  ‘scuse me! Clerk (comes out of back room with groggy eyes): ...

Full:  Hello. Empty (no reply) Full:  Have we met before? Empty (no reply) Full:  You seem faintly familiar. Empty (no reply) Full:   Good grief, why don't you respond?  I'm only trying to be nice... Empty (no reply) Full:  What?  Do you think you are better than me? Empty (no reply) Full thinks to self, "There's so much I have to offer.  Is there something wrong with me that this individual has the gall to ignore me?" Hey!  I know!  Say, why don't we play a game? Empty (no reply) Full:  I'm thinking of something. Empty (no reply) Full: Ugh!  Clearly you are devoid of all thought!  Why am I even speaking to you?  You don't even do anything!  Are you stupid?  How worthless!  How meaningless! Empty (no reply)