A Stick, A Carrot, A String

(c) mewithoutYou

the horse's hay beneath his head
our Lord was born to a manger bed
that all whose wells run dry
could drink of his supply

to keep him warm, the sheep drew near
so grateful for His coming here
come with news of grace
come to take my place
the donkey whispered in his ear
"child, in 30-some-odd years
you'll ride someone who looks like me
untriumphantly"

the cardinals warbled a joyful song
he'll make right what man made wrong
bringing low the hills
that the valleys might be filled

then "child", asked the birds
"well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"
the tiny baby layed there
without saying anything

at a distance stood a mangy goat
with the crooked teeth and a matted coat
weary eyes and worn
chipped and twisted horns

thinking "maybe I'll make friends someday
with the cows and the hens in the rambouillet
but for now, I'll keep away
I've got nothing smart to say"

there's a sign on the barn
in the cabbage town
"when the rain picks up
and the sun goes down
sinners, come inside
with no money, come and buy

no clever talk, nor a gift to bring
requires our lowly, lovely king
come now empty handed, you don't need anything"


and the night was cool
and clear as glass
with the sneaking snake in the garden grass
deep cried out to deep
the disciples fast asleep

and the snake perked up
when he heard You ask
"if you're willing that
this cup might pass
we could find our way back home
maybe start a family all our own"

"but does not the Father guide the Son?
not my will, but yours be done.
what else here to do?
what else me, but You?"

and the snake who'd held the world
a stick, a carrot and a string
was crushed beneath the foot
of your not wanting anything

Magazine (by Pedro the Lion)

This line is metaphysical
And on the one side, on the one side
The bad half live in wickedness
And on the other side, on the other side
The good half live in arrogance
And there's a steep slope
With a short rope
This line is metaphysical
And there's a steady flow
Moving to and fro

Oh, look you earned your wings
Are you an angel, now
Or a vulture
Constantly hovering over
Waiting for a big mistake

Oh, my God, what have I done?
Oh, my God, what have I done?

Wouldn't you love to be
On the cover of a magazine?
Healthy skin, perfect teeth
Designed to hide what lies beneath

I feel the darkness growing stronger
As you cram light down my throat
How does that work out for you
In your holy quest to be above reproach?

Don't take me lightly

Hidden between the folds of light
the heart after your own heart
a heart of darkness
blanketed in light like satin

This paper heart creased
under it's own weight
like origami drenched
with guilt like gasoline

Because I've walked through
the valley of the shadow
of death only to find
that the shadow was me

Oh my soul's a piece of coal
I only want to burn brightly
even if just to escape the dark
could I get a light?

Better late than never

"I can't believe this"

These were my exasperated thoughts. I am stuck behind the slowest car on the road. They finally turn off the street, and I hit a red light. A big truck now comes out in front of me and it's a one lane road. On top of that, I already left 10 minutes later than I should have to get to church on time. No matter what I did, I could not win the race to get to church. I hit every single red light possible. "God must be teasing me" I thought, "Because I'm so angry at everyone for no reason."

I already know this about myself: I'm an impatient driver. People are more often IN MY WAY, than other drivers trying to get to where they are going. "I'm actually late this time," I thought "so I have a right to drive fast." But nonetheless, there I was, STUCK on my way to worship. This was no kind of attitude that the Lord would have me have.

Do you think God would put all those cars and red lights for me to teach me something? I think He would, because God is funny. Don't think so? The third car I was stuck behind (in the never ending chain of slow cars) had a license plate frame that said "Take it easy!" It made me chuckle and lightened my mood a bit. "That God is a funny one" I thought. The second thing I noticed on that car was the auto dealership sticker it was from: "Pride automotives". "Great," I thought. "My pride is brought up... the part of myself I wish I did not have but yet is so strong in me. Is my driving prideful?" More selfish if anything, but still my own goals superseded the ones of those around me causing me to view them as not human beings to love, but as obstacles to curse.

So I took it easy and enjoyed the rest of my drive, not caring if I got there on time. Still hit all the red lights, but it didn't really matter to me anymore. Turns out the entire band was late to get started with practice, so I was on time anyway. God saved my attitude.

So the moral is: If you don't think God can talk to you through a license plate holder, you should take Him out of that box you have Him in. God is trying to tell you all sorts of things if you pay attention!

Autumn Vignette

Two leaves entwined dance along a cobblestone path

caring not what stones their feet touch

or on what road they travel for

they are lost in the moment

in the fluid moment

that bridges that gaps of reality

that binds them here in bliss

even if for so brief a moment as this

The wind follows up at their heels

in silent syncopation keeping the beat

as more leaves join the parade

rousing others to join in chorus

in the rhythmic chorus

that coaxes them from their trees

that bids them gaily where to fall

every leaf just happy it's there at all

The clouds have funneled and heavens shake

the last storm to be seen for days

The leaves excited animate with life

as they know not what's the reason

the reason of the season

that steps into their hearts

that sends them along the street

not to shelter but to a melody

The tempo slows down to a crawl

the leaves they now begin to waltz

to the conductor's will they follow the lead

for its in their motion that they find rest

in the ceaseless rest

that calms their spirits' journey

that reminds them they were once alive

One and two and three, four, five...

Where's the maestro that directs the flow?

To where do all fallen leaves go?

It's a question not for leaves to know

to keep the spice of uncertainty

the story of uncertainty

that rejoices over requited love

that depicts the deepest sorrow

leaving the audience asking "Why?"

But is not a cloud a member of the sky?

though they themselves will fade, the sky remains

so move when moved, be still when stilled

press on through the unseen way

The divergent way

that only works to its good

that only works to its end

All leaves must move, none can stay

For every leaf has no hands

in which to hold onto this world

for they don't need them to dance

just their feet, just the music

the immaculate music

that guides their steps

that grounds them firmly

Freed from hands they soar by another's!

So when they let go of all they know

and all they have come to expect

they may just see through the tunnel

to the light that has not reached them yet

The glorious light

that sparkles off their eyes of Winter

that shines through the darkest tomb

that leaps off the tops of trees in rejoicing Spring