I whistled as my coworker and I closed up the shop While mopping, we shared heroes and examples I asked my friend, “Say, if some saints would come for cone or cup “What flavors, do you reckon, would they choose? I’d hand ’em samples!”
My coworker, amused, gave this reply
“Saint Pete would go for Rocky Road; at least two reasons why On road from Rome, ‘Quo vadis?‘ He asked Christ Since Paul once stopped near Naples, Neapolitan he’d try A Trinity analogy he’d buy… Though imprecise!?
“It’s clear which flavor many of the Carmelites would like For Blessed Ukon, Matcha he’d attack Saint Benedict would, as a rule, first pre-bless every bite And Athanasius would not stand for ‘lite’… But full sugar, full fat“
I shared how my dear dad had told some tales of his own heroes Who’d licked this heav’nly gift with grateful hearts…
Before we each clocked out, I shared with shock and some emotion The goal of all devotion, we’d neglected The Royal Couple! To express my love for both, an ocean I told my friend, “I know what they would pick If I’m correct…”
“Undebatably divine, the flavor known to rule A Chocolate cone would Jesus love, three scoops and chocolate dipped Her mantle’s hue to match and to evoke her queenly footstool * A Blue Moon might be Mary’s, crowned with whip… But would it melt As she went round As mothers do Till she had found That no one in the parlor had been skipped?”
***
*And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. -Revelation 12:1
Go “break the conventions!” And “keep the commandments!” Rebel! against lawless Rebellions Rise up! by embracing Those laws that were heaven-sent Meant to teach love To us hellions
Conform not! Don’t copy So-called “nonconformists” Refusing to recognize Truth Their “group-think” defy! Become its reformist Decry! those who facts do Eschew
Subvert! Take back morals! Out-quarrel the dictums Of the love-free “free-love” Revolution Its pills have all blue-pilled It reaps unplanned victims For weddingless sex sows Confusion
Campaign! for true “tolerance” That is, not intolerant Of viewpoints or people Displeasing It’s seen in Christ’s welcome Of earth’s full conglomerate His love is inclusive
I brushed an old man in the park’s dusky light His eyes kind and bright; his hand waiting fast We shook as he asked, “If with you it’s all right “I’ll share what I saw when I passed!”
“Last Friday, my heart quit, but soon my dear wife Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR Before coming to, I laid eyes on queer sights You ain’t gonna reach by no car!
“Saw hell where the dress code ain’t meant for no prude But nudeness, they hollered, is never permitted All garb must be racy, risqué, or plain lewd Since modesty’s purely forbidden…”
“And next I saw heaven! Less strict than you’d guess All dress there must highlight one’s beauty with flair Its duty: to accent God’s Image the best Armani could never compare!”
“Hell’s speech code is clear, ain’t no way to refuse No courteous or cordial exchange is endured Just cursing and gossip and God’s name abused Complaining and slander and slurs…”
“But speech was plum peachy on those Golden Shores For never ‘is heard a discouraging word‘ All words are affirming and kindness outpours ‘Til laughter ‘n praise are upstirred!”
My feelings evolved as I pictured such visions First shock… as I saw myself happyin hell Then peace… as I vowed to make flightpath decisions Not caring ’bout oglers, I yelled…
“I had best now get ready before the long rest And I’ll start right away! I must ‘dress for success’ I will tame this ol’ tongue for that place to obtain Where each sight and each sound will impress!”
The old man replied, “Friend, such glory’s in store! May God keep our robes for the feast freshly laundered I’ll see you again once we’ve stepped through death’s door!” He waved and then onward he wandered
Plump drops, rudely soaking, awoke me from wonder My feet had me bolting as thunder out burst Mid-sprint, I debated whose rules to live under
O Visa, I’m trusting in you You give me cold pop and hot pizza But Jesus, I promise, I’ll turn to you, too If ever I lose… My Visa
Lotsa Dollars; mucho Dough; plenty Bread Life is good! I’ve got bundles of Bacon But you Lord I will not ignore or forget Once all other options… Are taken
Dear Moolah, you’re truly the best I’m merry when making those Monies But also, O Jesus, I have to confess You’re great when you send me… Warm fuzzies
Dear Cash, they call you the “king” Cah-ching! Prestige and pure power Should life ever crash or go sour or sting On Christ, I would call…
Ocean dip or kiddie pool? Beach or box of dirt? Lazyboy or shaky stool? Christmas presents cool… Or school shirt?
Noonday sun or candle flame? Chess or Tic-Tac-Toe? Honey pure or aspartame? Roses fresh cut for yourdame… Or plainly faux?
Forty winks or feline nap? Crème brûlée or mud pie? National Park or tourist trap? By arms and robes enwrapped... Or trapped in pigsty?*
Tie the knot or dare not try? Crown that lasts or laurels? Seek a friend, or cold A.I.? Trusting Him Who died to rise Or ego-caught… A lot afraid… Until that daythe farm’s bought?
***
*Luke 15
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” -C.S. Lewis
What if the biopsy knocks down then kicks me? The clinical trial, I’m refused? What if my landlord plays tricks and evicts me? Or memory (or marbles!) I lose And I’m clearly… Confused?
What if, whilst bussing, the brakes bust at random? The sky falls? The world won’t go round? What if I’m fired; convicted; abandoned? The tiniest break I can’t catch? I’d be fixin’ to… Break down!
What if, like Job, I lose all of my kin? Or drown in my mountain-high debts? What if I relapse? I’m sick of this sin! I’m ‘fraid I’ll forever be fraught With those relished… Regrets!
Even if every last “what if” I’ve listed So happened to happen to me Or Death, without knocking, popped in for a visit I’d never be parted from Love
One morning, donning running shoes I scooted out to jog The sun was drilling hot and fierce To pierce the morning fog Mid run, a Labrador burst out My route he joined beside me I thought, “He’s friendly! God, I love You too!“
Next day, I found a wooded place (1) And raced its hilly trails I sailed by shrubs, round tow’ring oaks Evoking ancient tales Those leafy veils a Presence hid That rid my heart of sadness I prayed, “A perfect day! I love You too!”
A bird all decked in reddish brown Hard bounced a branch trapeze With ease, across a spring I sprang My bangs were combed by trees Soon tuckered out from many miles A while I sat and snacked Refreshed, I prayed, “God, thanks! I love You too!”
Returned to car all sweaty; wished to leave So fished my pocket I caught no key! and thought, it likely Shot out as I rocketed Down forest trails! I knew this trial Had first passed through Love’s hands With trust, I begged, “God help! O Mary, pray!” (2)
As sun went down, I found an inn To sleep in (first, count sheep in) Next morn, I moseyed back to search As lurching clouds were weepin’ Retraced the muddy puddled path; at last I found that key Relieved, exhausted, drenched, I poured out praise
Reflecting on those hectic days I said to Him within: “The key to peace is, come what may Not fall to pieces; instead I’ll say ‘You’ll find a way! O God, I love you too!’”
***
(1) Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area, Waterford, MI
(2) I prayed St. Mother Teresa’s “emergency novena”- 9 Memorare prayers in a row
Note: if you see any errors, philosophical or otherwise, let me know…
*****
Think nothing of nihil-ism All sex-ism, disrespect Material-ism forfeits wealth Which senses can’t inspect
Combat consumer-ism Or you it shall consume “Adabsurdum” would reduce Reduction-ism’s gloom
There’s femin-ism pure Or femin-ism crude All truthward “isms” will endure Though laughed at, or eschewed
Relativ-ism wrecks The quest for what is true It breeds all rancid rac-ism Brews narciss-ism too
Rational-ism? Absurd Or Fide-ism? Boring Each one, a poor one-wing-ed bird Toward truth and love non-soaring
Modern-ism muddles A cocktail of false notions Hedon-ism ends in puddles Of sad or mad emotions
Capital-ism unmoored By morals, festers greed All systems which ignore the poor Will civic peace impede
A marx-ism turned fasc-ism Will smash religious striving Yet end up a “religion” at last That dashes hopes of thriving
Aryan-ism errs Supremac-ism cowers And antisemit-ism bears A reputation dour
A “secular human-ism” Erects on sinking sand The values that it values here Are from a heav’nly land
Great Britain underwent Debate on church and state Over antidisestablishment- -arian-ism’s fate
God’s Son, Who from the sod Took flesh to rescue earth Sad “isms” He will heal, at last When members of His Body
Dare to see…
And care to feel…
Their neighbor’s worth
*****
*Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave (Philippians 2)
Sprawled out on grass, my pal and I stared skyward, analyzing Snugly dandwiched ‘tween the green and blue The impish clouds performed their acrobatics, mesmerizing I pointed up, “A Horse! I mean, a shoe!”
When ended that, up sat my friend and asked, “Will heaven be boring?” Tried keeping calm, but couldn’t, not one bit My inner eyes had pierced the skies to realms of light outpouring Therefrom, the unseen rays my face up lit
“Will heaven be boring?” he stated again Elated, I grinned, “Um, yes! That is, if..
“Not bland or monotonous?” he cautiously blustered Smiling, I mustered, “No way! Unless…
“Michelin” dining; “Grand vin” wining Story sharing; laughing; caring Friendship making, gift exchanging, etc….
Are monotonous!”
“Won’t it be passively static?” he asked Ecstatic, I laughed, then cried, “O no, if…
Kingdom-building; brick road-gilding
Thanking, praising, Love-embracing
For the hellbound, interceding, etc.…
Are not passive!”
“We’ll never feel badly or lonely, I reckon!” “Heck no!” I said gladly, “with umpteen new friends, like… Eve and Adam, garden-tending Noah, bird and boa-nesting Sarah, heavenly hostess-training Jacob, coaching angel-wrestling Paul and Peter, stories; teaching Forbears, Saints and angel fleets Loved ones saved by grace outreaching
She whose prayer all snares defeat Mother, Queen; with care she’ll mind us
Last to mention (but not least) The One, Who’ll from our tears, unblind us…”
“You see, my friend? All loneliness and pain unseen– O Glory Be!-
Will be…
… deceased!”
We started hiking; neither heard the striking Parson’s bell Well lost in thought of celestial locales Is Larson’s “Far Side” heaven just as silly as Larson’s hell? (1) Heav’ns Yes! We’d glimpsed a Glory plain unboring
We’d felt a good despair that earthbound hopes could quell that pain That ache which points toward a higher story We’ll claim that tale in tandem since unclouded hope is gained By boldly looking heavenward… …As pals
May I retell a winsome tale A pal named Floyd told me? “My days”, he claimed, “are seldom great” “But always good, you see!” He paused to wait
My doubt poured out, “You have no days Upset by Murphy’s Law?” Said Floyd, “I used to, but no more!” “Why not?” I probed in awe He took the floor
“For years I begged my Father, God To make me kind and wise To guide me in pursuit of Christ To splice our hearts, His fire To melt my ice”
“I lived a pleasant peasant life Of children, wife and farming One charming day I met a nun Whose sunny smile was warm Chock full of fun”
“Her sandaled feet and cloak of wool Were fully back with crud ‘Good day to you, good day!’ I cried Can’t lie; was clear as mud What she replied”
‘Oh, thank you sir, forwishing good But I cannot recall A single day that I’d call ill For Christians, after all Can love God’s Will!’
“Oh Sister, how ought Christians live? “Please share your thoughts!” I pleaded “You radiate such joy, I see Your peace seems undefeated How could that be?”
She said, ‘By willing what God wills Not one bad day can pass When meat runs out, I bless His Name Another chance to fast On beans or grain’
‘When persecuted for that Name His love I gladly reap (Mt. 5:12) He gives me His own Cross to share Partners finding wayward sheep With work and prayer!’
‘If slowed by sleet or snowy banks I thank Him for such beauties When asked to cook or scrub or spin I offer God these duties For all our sins’
‘You see, all things- yes, all– that come Flow first through loving Hands He changes bad to greatest good
How could you learn His plan? Remember this my friend:
Through loving prayer, and prayerful love, you would!’
“With tears I thanked her, heart a-tugged She hugged me; made her way Her swayful words remained within Since then, not one ‘bad day’ Must say, I’ve had!”
Then Floyd stepped toward the door, and grinned “Good day to you, my friend! Today, tomorrow, and ever more Good days that know no end!” Then he closed that door
Yet Floyd had flung another door Ajar in me to One Whose ‘Midas touch’ turns all to grace Whose Face is like the sun
God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose… Romans 8:28
Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels… -2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10
My Achilles is really a-killin’ me And my heel just won’t heal, what the heck! My stiff neck’s a real pain in the butt… but there’s more My sore butt’s a real pain in the neck (Since the day I survived that big wreck!)
I can’t stomach this unstopping stomachache Struck with gout I wanna pout all alone And I sigh when sciatic pain shocks me awake Diagnosed with Pneumonia, I moan (Sick at home, of my phone, I’m bored sick!)
Pins and needles! My knees need a healing Since my heart’s out of sync, I lose heart Got more docs than my clock could have time for! I’m feeling Quite dazed as my days fall apart (Why does rain make my brain start to smart?)
Does the Lord hear me sleeplessly weeping? My appealing for healing in full?
Then He whispered, I feel it all with you, Beloved
And I will heal as is best for your soul
Through these trials, My Child, I uphold you
And remold you to the Likeness of Love
Fear no harm! In my Arms, I enfold you
I will guide you to “Life to the full” (John 10:10)
*******
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 