The Eumenides
Think you we slept within the Delphic bower,
What time our victim sought Apollo’s grace?
Nay, drawn into ourselves, in that deep place
Where good and evil meet, we bode our hour.
For not inexorable is our power.
And we are hunted of the prey we chase,
Soonest gain ground on them that flee apace,
And draw temerity from hearts that cower.
Shuddering we gather in the house of ruth,
And on the fearful turn a face of fear,
But they to whom the ways of doom are clear
Not vainly named us the Eumenides.
Our feet are faithful in the paths of truth,
And in the constant heart we house at peace.
poem by Edith Wharton
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Alexandrines
There is a house that most of all on earth I hate.
Though I have passed through many sorrows and have been
In bloody fields, sad seas, and countries desolate,
Yet most I fear that empty house where the grasses green
Grow in the silent court the gaping flags between,
And down the moss-grown paths and terrace no man treads
Where the old, old weeds rise deep on the waste garden beds.
Like eyes of one long dead the empty windows stare
And I fear to cross the garden, I fear to linger there,
For in that house I know a little, silent room
Where Someone’s always waiting, waiting in the gloom
To draw me with an evil eye, and hold me fast—
Yet thither doom will drive me and He will win at last.
poem by Clive Staples Lewis
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Good And Evil
I shall speak of the good but not the evil within you.
For what is evil but good tortured by hunger and thirst?
In truth when good is hungry it seeks food in dark places,
And when thirsty truth drinks from dead water.
Goodness comes when you are one with yourself.
Yet when you are not at one with yourself you are not evil.
A house divided is not a den of thieves; it’s only a divided house.
You are good when you strive to give the best of yourself;
Yet you are not evil when you seek personal gain.
When you strive for gain you are like a root,
Seeking growth whilst clinging to the Earth.
You are good when you are fully awake in your speech.
Yet you are not evil when you sleep and babble without purpose.
You are good when you walk to your goal firmly with bold steps;
Yet you are not evil when you go forth limping,
For even while staggering and limping you move forward.
You are good in countless ways, yet are not evil when you are not good;
You are only lazy and loitering.
In your longing for “My Higher Self” lies your goodness.
This inherent and “God Given” longing is in everyone.
poem by Ray Lucero
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Freed Through His Riches
All are in bondage to Satan and sin, driven by hearts of flesh within,
But, Jesus Christ was sent to us, and in His Truth we place our trust.
It was The Father who sent Him, to save all His people from their sin,
Sent down to men who are but dust, our Emmanuel, to dwell with us.
Christ came with Truth to impart, to every weary and searching heart,
God’s Truth that sets captives free, flowing from a Cross at Calvary.
Truth that once within your heart, causes sinful ways to soon depart,
Defeating Satan for you and me; through Christ we gain the Victory.
A victory that won’t be denied, and in Heaven’s Glory we will reside,
With The Lord Jesus, forevermore, when we enter through His Door.
When His Spirit comes to live inside, in Christ He helps us to abide,
The Spirit gives men so much more, as they live for Christ our Lord.
Christ reaches down with His Grace, through The Spirit at any place,
Filling hearts with God’s Peace, from the greatest down to the least.
He empowers you to run the race, with His endless supply of Grace,
With power that shall not cease, coupled with God’s Joy and Peace.
It’s through Salvation, we are freed, from all Satan’s power eternally,
And all that we need to do is trust, our Savior who died for all of us.
Christ’s Spirit will dwell in your heart, and once inside will not depart.
So, take time to seek His face, and receive the Riches of His Grace.
(Copyright ©12/2007)
Yes, Evil Does Exist
Yes,
Evil does exist.
And is attempting to prevail.
To hide or run away from it,
Allows it a power to weaken us...
And to do it without fail.
There is a call from those of peace,
To have peace from us cheered and hailed.
But evil has to be combatted.
And to do it,
We must stand tall.
And not crawl on the ground,
Like frightened sand dwelling snails!
Evil does exist.
And is attempting to prevail.
To hide or run away from it,
Allows it a power to weaken us...
And to do it without fail.
And the ones who chase deceit away,
Must be praised and not diminished.
They are the ones to dare to face the truth.
With a struggle to end evil!
Knowing by confonting it...
Will expose evil,
And the doers of it 'snuffed' out quick.
IF...
We do not succumb to the ways,
Evil plays...
On the minds of those unconscious,
To get its wickedness done!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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A Friend's Song for Simoisius
The breath of dew, and twilight's grace,
Be on the lonely battle-place;
And to so young, so kind a face,
The long, protecting grasses cling!
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
In rocky hollows cool and deep,
The bees our boyhood hunted sleep;
The early moon from Ida's steep
Comes to the empty wrestling-ring.
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
Upon the widowed wind recede
No echoes of the shepherd's reed,
And children without laughter lead
The war-horse to the watering.
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
Thou stranger Ajax Telamon!
What to the loveliest hast thou done,
That ne'er with him a maid may run
Across the marigolds in spring?
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
With footstep separate and slow
The father and the mother go,
Not now upon an urn they know
To mingle tears for comforting.
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
The world to me has nothing dear
Beyond the namesake river here:
O Simois is wild and clear!
And to his brink my heart I bring;
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
My heart no more, if that might be
Would stay his waters from the sea,
To cover Troy, to cover me,
To save us from the perishing.
(Alas, alas,
The one inexorable thing!)
poem by Louise Imogen Guiney
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Webster Ford
Do you remember, O Delphic Apollo,
The sunset hour by the river, when Mickey M'Grew
Cried, "There's a ghost," and I, "It's Delphic Apollo";
And the son of the banker derided us, saying, "It's light
By the flags at the water's edge, you half-witted fools."
And from thence, as the wearisome years rolled on, long after
Poor Mickey fell down in the water tower to his death
Down, down, through bellowing darkness, I carried
The vision which perished with him like a rocket which falls
And quenches its light in earth, and hid it for fear
Of the son of the banker, calling on Plutus to save me?
Avenged were you for the shame of a fearful heart,
Who left me alone till I saw you again in an hour
When I seemed to be turned to a tree with trunk and branches
Growing indurate, turning to stone, yet burgeoning
In laurel leaves, in hosts of lambent laurel,
Quivering, fluttering, shrinking, fighting the numbness
Creeping into their veins from the dying trunk and branches!
'Tis vain, O youth, to fly the call of Apollo.
Fling yourselves in the fire, die with a song of spring,
If die you must in the spring. For none shall look
On the face of Apollo and live, and choose you must
'Twixt death in the flame and death after years of sorrow,
Rooted fast in the earth, feeling the grisly hand,
Not so much in the trunk as in the terrible numbness
Creeping up to the laurel leaves that never cease
To flourish until you fall. O leaves of me
Too sere for coronal wreaths, and fit alone
For urns of memory, treasured, perhaps, as themes
For hearts heroic, fearless singers and livers --
Delphic Apollo.
poem by Edgar Lee Masters
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The house she refers to
She first told me of this house when I was a child
She wrote it in her documents and filed
A house so wild
Where the people are very cold
A house like a wrestling hold
Everyone scrambling for gold
There are murmurs and calls for hate
Which spreads amongst the offspring they procreate
To go and lie in wait
Until they receive orders to fire
At anyone who aims higher
So that they get what they require
She documents a house of takers
Wanting to acquire acres
Which they are not the makers
She documents a house of doom
Where deception is a costume
And aversion is spread from a control room
She documents a house of pain
Where there is nothing to gain
And says to me again and again
Beware and tread with care
For there are fumes of hate in the air
This she makes me aware
She tells me of this house each day
So I would not be lead astray
What then can I say
Before the bee stings
I would pray for certain things
One is for God to carry me on a pair of wings
To fly me on a fast pace
To a new place
Where He would put a smile on my face
A place of joy and peace
poem by Mark Nyamekye Boadi
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For Mr. R
that time
all that he can do is flee the place
run away from his own house
that his son burned
it is not a question of whether he is responsible or not
it is a question of
not to hurt the one who caused him so much pain
and so all the memories are gone
the house that he built from his hard earned money for years
everything everything is gone
this time he does not flee anymore
there is no way that he is going to run away from anything again
he stays put on the ground which is right
nothing matters.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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When Hannah Pressed With Grief
When Hannah pressed with grief,
Poured forth her soul in prayer;
She quickly found relief,
And left her burden there:
Like her, in every trying case,
Let us approach the throne of grace.
When she began to pray,
Her heart was pained and sad;
But ere she went away,
Was comforted and glad:
In trouble, what a resting place,
Have they who know the throne of grace!
Though men and devils rage,
And threaten to devour;
The saints, from age to age,
Are safe from all their pow'r:
Fresh strength they gain to run their race,
By waiting at the throne of grace.
Eli her case mistook,
How was her spirit moved
By his unkind rebuke?
But God her cause approved.
We need not fear a creature's face,
While welcome at a throne of grace.
She was not filled with wine,
As Eli rashly thought;
But with a faith divine,
And found the help file sought:
Though men despise and call us base,
Still let us ply the throne of grace.
Men have not pow'r or skill,
With troubled souls to bear;
Though they express good-will,
Poor comforters they are:
But swelling sorrows sink apace,
When we approach the throne of grace.
Numbers before have tried,
And found the promise true;
Nor one been yet denied,
Then why should I or you?
Let us by faith their footsteps trace,
And hasten to the throne of grace.
As fogs obscure the light,
And taint the morning air;
But soon are put to flight,
If the bright sun appear;
Thus Jesus will our troubles chase,
By shining from the throne of grace.
poem by John Newton
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Lost Liberty
Of our own will we are not free,
When freedom lies within our power.
We wait for some decisive hour,
To rise and take our liberty.
Still we delay, content to be
Imprisoned in our own high tower.
What is it but a strong-built bower?
Ours are the warders, ours the key.
But we through indolence grow weak.
Our warders, fed with power so long,
Become at last our lords indeed.
We vainly threaten, vainly seek
To move their ruth. The bars are strong.
We dash against them till we bleed.
poem by Robert Fuller Murray
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Today... 'The Fear of Isaac
The temple shook and it was filled with smoke
and all went silent as the Lord God spoke.
Woe was me filled with dread and all undone
I had seen the Lord, The Almighty One.
In the most holiest of places dwells He
unapproachable by the likes of me.
None may stand before Him or dare draw near
He is Omnipotent and His name is Fear.
To stand before His awful judgement throne
completely naked and all on my own.
My soul lit up under the light of God
all my deeds displayed and the paths I've trod.
My life exposed to His all seeing eyes
the truth made known about my life of lies.
Each deed displayed for all others to see
would be so dreadful and shameful for me.
Can anyone pass this great test of holiness?
One sin would condemn to unworthiness.
Is there any hope for the someone like me?
Oh where can I go or where can I flee?
Then I heard the tender voice of Jesus say
'Come to me for I am the only Way.'
'I've paid the price, God's law is satisfied'
'When upon the cross in your place I died.'
It's fearful to fall into the hands of God
but deliverance can come from the Lord.
But the fear God is the greatest of wisdom
for through Christ we enter into His kingdom.
So like Job let's fear God and shun evil.
Flee from the temptations of the devil
and then we sin in repentance we cry
'Lord wash us in Your blood or we shall die.'
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
Evil Darkness
Slowly darkness decends as the sensible run and hide,
because with the dark comes the mist, like a dank chilling tide.
The moon shines weakly through the haze as though very afraid,
in the darkness of the night, a new terror will be concieved and made.
The mist moves slowly but for a moment and then is very still,
in the dim light stands a creature, tall and coldly evil.
No form does it have to touch or kill, no way to pull it down,
but ice cold power does it hold, and in your own terror you will drown.
Now one sensless fool puts aside his fear, he will face this evil foe,
this night he will stand his ground, but the out-come would not be so.
Drawn into this evil he was absorbed but for one dropp of blood,
for there upon the ground that night, a new evil grew from the mud.
Now a new evil has been concieved and together on dark nights will roam,
so when it's dark and dank outside.....be sure to stay at home!
poem by Ruth warren
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Power Of Grace
God supplies us with Great Power, by His Grace, each day and hour,
Grace to save, change and grow, as Christ Jesus you come to know,
God’s Power to sustain each one of us, when in God we put our trust,
Through the Grace which we receive, when in His Son we truly believe.
God can save all where they are, through His Grace both near and far,
For it’s The Lord’s Amazing Grace, that can touch a heart in any place,
From within a world, dark as night, His Grace guides men to His Light,
And from His Truth they are saved, no matter how dark and depraved.
God can change the darkest heart, through all The Truth He will impart,
As believers diligently seek His face, change is wrought by His Grace,
Hearts by His Grace are transformed, as to Christ they are conformed,
Changed in the present for Eternity, by Grace that flows from Calvary.
God will help you grow each day, as you walk anew life’s Narrow Way,
This as your heart the Lord shall fill, with God’s Truth to honor His Will,
By Grace, The Spirit helps us grow, as Fruit in our life begins to show,
As believers grow in one accord, with others who also know The Lord.
So come today in the present life, and be saved through Jesus Christ,
Your life will change dramatically, as He prepares you for life eternally,
And while you grow in God’s Truth, your life of Grace will be His proof,
That God can truly sustain anyone, who comes to true faith in His Son.
(Copyright ©04/2009)
To my lost one (villanelle)
If you come from a unknown place
from where I am, as if thrown
into my life and we again meet face-to-face
it may be by God’s grace
and we may leave the paths well trodden and known.
If you come from a unknown place
wherever it may be, carrying just one suitcase
I will be happy to meet you, if you come alone
into my life and we again meet face-to-face
and if you want to, we can disappear without a trace
be on our own, without anyone.
If you come from a unknown place
and walk into my embrace,
my lost one, come without a chaperone
into my life and we again meet face-to-face
our pasts will be erased
and all unhappiness will be gone,
if you come from a unknown place
into my life and we again meet face-to-face.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Beautiful River
And he showed me a pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb." -- Rev. xxii. 1
Shall we gather at the river
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
CHORUS.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy, golden day.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
On the bosom of the river,
Where the Saviour-king we own,
We shall meet, and sorrow never
'Neath the glory of the throne. Cho.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. Cho.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
At the smiling of the river,
Rippling with the Saviour's face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace. Cho.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Soon we'll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease,
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace. Cho.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river --
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
poem by Robert Wadsworth Lowry
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The Power Of Love
I think that somewhere along the line
(and it's said, all things return to you in time)
I must have finally opened up to your love
Though i was building a wall at heaven's gate
(everything comes to those who wait)
You must have found a secret path into my soul
And now you're part of my life
I can't believe that this is mine
Every light has its time to shine
I want to understand this change in me
Is it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Caught up in the famous paper chase
(in your eyes, i saw how i never fell from grace)
I must have finally opened up to your love
And i heard the battle's not always to the strong
(the race is not always to the fleet)
And the one who seeks to pluck the stars
Will miss the jewels at his feet
Blinded by momentary power
We almost had the final hour
I'll never know what caused the change in me
Was it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
And i thought anything for the cause is worth the price
(losing you was the sharp edge of the knife)
Now no more fear, the way is clear
I know you are the power in my life
So better late than never
'cause this heart is yours forever
I'll never know what caused the change in me
Was it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is it the power of love
Is this the tao of love
I feel the power of love
I think that somewhere along the line
(and it's said all things return to you in time)
I must have finally opened up to your love
song performed by by Rick Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Carpenter's Song
My lot grew lighter day by day;
The children grew apace;
I built a little house last May--
No palace like that place.
And--"Father," said she, "sure you know
That once we ate dry bread?
Into our own house now we go!"--
The mother, she is dead!
Her house the undertaker made,
And not the carpenter;
My grace unsaid, the pastor prayed
In loud tones over her.
The day that's spent with merriment,
'Mid blossoms blue and red,
No music lent--my heart was rent!--
The mother, she is dead.
We pulled together many a year;
Like old bird-mates were we;
But who e'er thinks of dying here
While both together be?
Fast barred is every window-blind--
I care not what is said;
Yes, sell the house! I do not mind--
The mother, she is dead!
poem by Carmen Sylva
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Spiritual Diversion
As he did to Israel, he’s doing again, turning hearts of religious men,
Away from God’s Truth and His Law, so that followers spiritually fall,
Falling away from Truth that’s clear, as The Lord, they no longer fear,
As in the past, Satan leads the way, to much apostasy we see today.
Unbiblical ways he will conceive, in many hearts, so that they believe,
The errors in Truth that will confound, as many fall from solid ground;
From The Solid Rock of Jesus Christ, men will pay the ultimate price,
When by Christ, they’ll be denied, for following that evil one who lied.
Satan, that ancient dragon, my friend, has just one goal for your end,
As God’s enemy has just one desire, to see souls in the Lake of Fire,
And Satan will use religious cause, to put our mind on spiritual pause,
To turn our hearts away from Truth, to set souls up for God’s reproof.
Israel had fallen into idolatry, and in some churches what do you see?
Statues fashioned by men’s hands, and in the church today it stands;
What about the “Queen of Heaven”, idolatry begot by spiritual leaven?
If it incited The Lord’s Anger then; aren’t they aware it’ll happen again?
And it is Satan, who orchestrates, all the diversion, for Truth he hates,
As only Truth alone saves men, extra biblical ways God will condemn,
So still today, he corrupts true faith, by having men, add on to Grace,
Knowing they will be denied by Christ, to enter death, not Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©06/2010)
The Darkest Hour
The world is truly a volatile place, much in need of protective grace,
The Grace of The Sovereign Lord, when His help below is implored.
Even when He’s not thought of, God moves, based upon His Love,
A Love which goes unparalleled, in opposing the evil forces of Hell.
The very forces plaguing the world, with all the darkest yet unfurled.
Yet all of the evil Satan may rail, against The Lord, shall not prevail,
God above shall protect His Own, through the Power of His Throne.
As Satan causes evil to flourish, wicked hearts involved, will perish.
All the terror we see upon earth, will in the end become much worse,
As Satan enters the heart of more, nations of men against our Lord.
The end shall come like a flood, as evil spills untold innocent blood,
As evil goes on without restraint, causing even the mightiest to faint.
When by God, The Spirit is taken; all of this earth shall be forsaken,
By the Light and Peace of God, left victim of Satan’s wrath and rod.
If this end time is not cut short, through the intervention of The Lord,
Satan would destroy all human life, through his dark, end time strife.
All this evil will be destroyed, when, The Lord of Glory returns again,
Ending all Satan’s wickedness, as it’s destroyed, by Righteousness,
The Righteousness of Christ alone, when He comes to save His own,
And bring in a Kingdom for all to see, will last throughout all Eternity.
(Copyright ©10/2007)
Olney Hymn 23: Pleading For And With Youth
Sin has undone our wretched race;
But Jesus has restored,
And brought the sinner face to face
With his forgiving Lord.
This we repeat from year to year
And press upon our youth;
Lord, give them an attentive ear,
Lord, save them by Thy truth!
Blessings upon the rising race!
Make this a happy hour,
According to Thy richest grace,
And thine Almighty power.
We feel for your unhappy state
(May you regard it too),
And would a while ourselves forget
To pour our prayer for you.
We see, though you perceive it not,
The approaching awful doom;
Oh tremble at the solemn thought,
And flee the wrath to come!
Dear Saviour, let this new-born year
Spread an alarm abroad;
And cry in every careless ear,
'Prepare to meet thy God!'
poem by William Cowper
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