I love the interplay of light and shadow.
It's been a rough week (internal bleeding stopped for a bit, and it's back, with fever) but I don't do despair, so I decided to write a sendup of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous poem, just for fun. And as poetic justice for all you out there who had to memorize parts of the thing...or, for Pete's sake, the whole poem.
The poet pondered, weak and weary,
self-pity for his lost Lenore
in rhyme that was quite awful, clearly,
when there came at chamber door
a tapping from a spectral raven
that reinforced his pain and sorrow
to justify his bad behavin'
like there wasn't no tomorrow.
I've been there and I've been back,
and I have this word for you
that faced with Satan's sad attack
the one thing you can say that's true
to bird now perched on head of Pallas
is, "Shove despair right up your a**!"
The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is PERFORM.
My life's become command performance
that is staged for God alone,
mix of peace and violence
that's something of a twilight zone
between the promise and the real,
between the newly sown and sere,
between the hunger and the meal,
between the hated and the dear,
but somehow as I tread the boards,
the footlights blinding in my eyes,
I know that I am headed towards
the truth that will dispell the lies,
and make of this conundrum vast
a memory of distant past.
With a balky keypad, five and a half minutes. Well, I tried.
Appropriate music from Smash Mouth.
Sylvia barks at ravens, and won't share her ice cream with them.
May the Lord continue to give you and Barbara grace, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you so much. He's here.
DeleteI have no words except to pray for you and Barbara. While we may not understand it at all, I know God has His hand on you both.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, He's really protected us through all this. Our hearts are safe in His hands.
DeleteContinuing to pray for you and Barbara.
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by from FMF#5
Heather, we really truly appreciate your prayers!
DeleteI love your version of The Raven! Humorous but so true and real. Praying for you and Barb. For what it's worth, your dedication to performing well for God is inspiring to me and many others.
ReplyDeleteKym, your affirmation is worth a whole lot! Thank you!
DeleteThanks for setting an example that encourages keeping on with courage, insight and humor.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, so very, very much.
DeleteAfter spending 4 decades in Baltimore, I know Poe, The Raven, and the Ravens well. Prayers for you and Barb.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I never made the connexion between the Ravens and The Raven!
DeleteThank you for this, and for your prayers.
I love your "perform" poem. Great reminder that our performance should be for God alone.
ReplyDeleteLesley, thank you so much; He is the audience that matters.
DeleteAndrew, I so wish I could return to you all you do and give to me.
ReplyDeleteI am so honoured by this. Thank you.
DeleteHi Andrew, We're having rainshowers and cooler weather. The weather change is welcome. I was behind on reading your posts. It's really great to be caught up now. Enjoyed them all. How are the dogs doing? I'm busy landscaping the backyard. It will take me about a year by the time I'm done. Wishing you and Barb a pleasant November. Take care, Norma
ReplyDeleteMy dear Norma, it's cooled off a bit here, too. Barb planted a mulberry and some elm cuttings. Hard soil for them, but if anyone can make them thrive, Barb can.
DeleteThe arrival of Henry the deaf Pit Bull puppy really changed the atmosphere in the house. He's so boisterous and full of fun, but at the same time clued in to being a service dog.
If I'm cold he'll bring a jacket and blanket. If hurting, a beer (my sole method of pain control).
Yesterday I collapsed after plugging my phone into the charger. When I returned to the world of the living the phone had been gently unplugged, and placed next to my head.
Barb calls Henry Angel Dog.
There is so much truth in your poem, Andrew. I love this part:
ReplyDelete"but somehow as I tread the boards,
the footlights blinding in my eyes,
I know that I am headed towards
the truth that will dispell the lies,"
I praise God that you are still writing and encouraging others even as you struggle so deeply. Thank you for sharing with all of us. May God bless and bring comfort! Love and hugs for you and Barb! xoxo
I must be one of the few heathens that do not recognise Poe's poem. But yours is class as ever. Your performance may be for God alone, but many here applaud your writing, your generosity, your humour and love. Blessings to you.
ReplyDelete