Act One Scene One: A Wood near Athens
Spring sunlight filters through new leaves
in this wood near Athens;
the ozone of the sea not far away
livens the nostrils of the hopeful student
pausing in front of the marble columns.
The pause is a departure and an arrival:
there’s dust on his sandals;
he’s come from far away;
who knows how far?
How many times has his spirit
been washed by Lethe’s oblivion?
That forgetting which by grace
may lead to a remembering?
The student and the columns of the portico
shining white in their new marble in the sunlight,
both for a moment still; yet
in another world, the spirit of the student
and the spirit of the Academy itself
fly to meet each other;
the goddess, bare arms open,
greets her worshipper of truth.
We the Chorus, witnessing the beauty of this scene
indescribable; immortal; full of truth,
speak of the gods who watch eternally;
recall in measured words
Odysseus, returning to his homeland;
his mind, like his faithful dog,
waking to its long awaited master.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sunlight on white paint. For the New Year.
The house across the way is newly painted white.
Right now, that’s all my being seems to need:
this winter morning, sharp, cold, bright and clear,
the morning sunlight pours across white paint;
contains a thousand messages, in me
interpreted.. or simply left to be..
this moment, that’s as much as being craves:
this morning’s glory; and I, born for praise..
even as I write, I watch the sun’s
white paint brush move across the house’s front
and tell the eye of reason that this world
is turning, basking, in this morning sun;
already sparkling on the Bondi waves
as if the world had just been washed anew;
cast early dawn’s pearl light on Taj Mahal
as if the sun itself could never tire of beauty;
Italian villa forecourts just hosed down,
the air all fresh to meet the warming day;
the gardens of Carmel, eight hours from now,
will paint their flowers fresh with mist and dew;
as every carefree holiday yourself
recall, as proof eternal of pure soul..
and here - the witness of my silent mind
needs nothing, need go nowhere else to find
its very self, this moment without taint:
immortal sunlight shining on white paint.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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As The Spirit Fills
Verse by verse and line by line; The Spirit fills the heart and mind.
The Spirit moves on a scribe, to pen the words down deep inside.
God uses men to reach the world, with a message for us to herald.
Some may speak while other men, The Lord above uses their pen.
Apostles would speak The Word, and men believed as they heard.
It was God’s Word they received, that would lead them to believe.
As New Believers they would go, and share so others could know,
The saving Grace of Jesus Christ, so they too could have New Life.
As The Truth began to spread, many would use parchment instead.
And The Truth many would heed, from words that they would read.
Either way, God’s Truth we share, with all those for whom we care.
Allow The Spirit to move your heart, so God’s Truth we can impart.
My friend, God will use anyone, to share The Truth about His Son.
Using any form of communication, to reach the lost with Salvation.
Join the Apostles and Prophets of old, sharing Truth till all are told,
About The Lord and Savior above, sent to all by The Father’s Love.
God still moves upon men today, helping us with the words to say,
For me the verses seem to flow, while The Spirit helps me to grow.
As I write the words aren’t mine, for my source is above and Divine.
It is The Spirit who fills my pen, and to this friend, I just say Amen.
(Copyright ©01/2006)
If I Were A Student
If I were a student
Books will my companion be
Time shall my master be
The library shall my playground be
Devoted teachers will be my idols
To be a giant will be my ideal
If I were a student
Rudeness will I banish
Laziness will I never relish
Truancy will I at no time cherish
I will banish procrastination
And never tarnish my reputation
If I were a student
Hard work will I entertain
Dedication to duty will I maintain
Respect to all will I sustain
I will retain perseverance
I will contain bad peer influence.
If I were a student
I will study vigorously
And follow instructions rigorously
I will strive to excel in every race
In a class of my own will I be placed
I giant I will be by his grace
poem by Emmanuel Oduro
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Student Demonstration Time
Starting out with berkeley free speech
And later on at peoples park
The winds of change fanned into flames
Student demonstrations spark
Down to isla vista where police felt so harassed
They called the special riot squad of the l. a. county sheriff
Well theres a riot going on
Theres a riot going on
Theres a riot going on
Student demonstration time
The violence spread down south to where jackson state brothers
Learned not to say nasty things about southern policemens mothers
Nothing much was said about it and really next to nothing done
The pen is mightier than the sword, but no match for a gun
Well theres a riot going on
Theres a riot going on
Well theres a riot going on
cause its student demonstration time
America was stunned on may 4, 1970
When rally turned to riot up at kent state university
They said the students scared the guard
Though the troops were battle dressed
Four martyrs earned a new degree
The bachelor of bullets
I know were all fed up with useless wars and racial strife
But next time theres a riot, well, you best stay out of sight
Well theres a riot going on
Theres a riot going on
Well theres a riot going on
Student demonstration time
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Its student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Its student demonstration
Stay away when theres a riot going on
Student demonstration
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Catholic schools prepare every student to meet the challenges of their future by developing their mind, yes, but also their body and their soul and spirit.
quote by David Vitter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Temple - What Makes It Of Worth
You may delve down to rock for your foundation piers,
You may go with your steel to the sky
You may purchase the best of the thought of the years,
And the finest of workmanship buy.
You may line with the rarest of marble each hall,
And with gold you may tint it; but then
It is only a building if it, after all,
Isn't filled with the spirit of men.
You may put up a structure of brick and of stone,
Such as never was put up before;
Place there the costliest woods that are grown,
And carve every pillar and door.
You may fill it with splendors of quarry and mine,
With the glories of brush and of pen —
But it's only a building, though ever so fine,
If it hasn't the spirit of men.
You may build such structure that lightning can't harm,
Or one that an earthquake can't raze;
You may build it of granite, and boast that its charm
Shall last to the end of all days.
But you might as well never have builded at all,
Never cleared off the bog and the fen,
If, after it's finished, its sheltering wall
Doesn't stand for the spirit of men.
For it isn't the marble, nor is it the stone
Nor is it the columns of steel,
By which is the worth of an edifice known;
But it's something that's living and real.
poem by Edgar Albert Guest
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Two birds on the same tree
Two birds rest on the same tree;
their eyes are bright;
they look alike; yet one
is the Teacher; one the Student;
the Student tastes all the many fruits
upon that tree; the Teacher sits, just watches,
filled with love and pride;
the eyes of both are bright;
when the Student has tasted all,
the Teacher asks what has been learnt; for
only the Teacher knows within their heart:
that now the Student is the teacher;
the Teacher listens as a student;
the Student speaks now as a teacher
who has learned this of themself;
the Teacher’s eyes are bright:
knowing that to live it through
shows the knowledge to be true;
the Student is teaching the Teacher now, of
how to teach; the Teacher glows to know
the Student may surpass the Teacher;
knowledge shines from both their eyes;
who is the more glorious of these two
who share both the same name?
who rejoice to need the other;
who rejoice to be the other;
now they are silent; now the tree’s rejoicing too;
Its roots above; its fruits below;
its leaves, a shelter;
its branches, home.
*
[ Leaning on a poem of Kabir: Indian readers will be familiar with
'two birds in a tree' as a metaphor for acting with detachment; Kabir takes this further, into knowledge gained from wise action...]
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Relying On The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is enough for me, as I’ve been sealed for eternity,
Sealed, by The Spirit of Christ, with His guarantee of Eternal Life;
The Spirit, the only teacher I need, as Truth, He helps me to heed,
Guiding me through all my days, for Christ’s Glory and His Praise.
For The Spirit opened my eyes, to discern Truth from Satan’s lies,
Teaching me the Ways of God, while led by Christ’s staff and rod,
Growing in His Truth and Love, assisted by His Spirit, from above,
Teaching me God’s Truth day to day, as I travel life’s Narrow Way.
It’s the work of God’s Holy Spirit, to shed light on Truth as I hear it,
Revealing Truths, that I never heard, from God’s Holy, Living Word.
From The Truth, revealed to men, by God’s Spirit, I am Born Again,
Believing in Christ and Him alone, I became one of God’s very own.
As God’s Spirit led me to believe, The Truth of God I would receive,
Believing the Saving Truth of Christ, I received in the Spirit New Life,
And at that very time and place, my life was changed, by His Grace,
Never again would it be the same; all by the power of Christ’s Name.
It is in Christ, that I now abide, through The Spirit, Who dwells inside,
And in God’s Spirit, I fully rely, in the same power from God on high,
Sent to comfort Children of God, while they journey this earthly sod,
Who will also, soon snatch us away, to Heaven on that Glorious day.
(Copyright ©06/2010)
Changing Hearts
Hard hearts of the human race, desperately in need of God’s Grace,
Not compelled by God’s Truth at all, from being tainted by man’s fall.
The natural mind cannot conceive, Truths from God that we believe,
They don’t look beyond the earth, never experiencing a spiritual birth.
It’s Christ’s Spirit who opens eyes, of those men believed to be wise,
Spiritually blinded by God’s enemy, who preys on hearts relentlessly.
Causing those who are spiritually blind, to close both heart and mind,
To the Eternal things of God above, causing them to refuse His Love.
The Spirit sheds light upon the dark, opening up their mind and heart,
God frees men from earthly creeds, directing hearts to eternal needs.
Through the Spirit of Jesus Christ, some begin reflecting on their life,
Where they will be when life is done, if they finish without God’s Son.
The Christ who came to earth to die, to give life meaning to you and I,
And give a Hope to all who believe; lead by The Spirit they do receive.
Christ leaves it up to men to herald, The Eternal Truth to all the world,
With The Holy Spirit far in the lead, helping many to hear and to heed.
The Holy Spirit truly changes men, in ways that we can’t comprehend,
Even the most darkened of hearts, is moved by Truth that He imparts.
They believe and become born again, to live their lives as Godly men,
Being born anew, from God above, they spiritually grow in God’s Love.
Student, Teacher
I would like to be a teacher!
The only qualification for teaching
is to be the student.
How can I be a student?
You have to find a teacher
who knows he is the student.
poem by David Taylor
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The meeting
(At The Student Meeting Of 1869)
Thoughts toward one another coursing
To their pole must run,
Hearts that meet, all bonds are forcing,
Like the springtime sun.
Though to-day too heavy sorrow
Dull the mind of youth,
Higher on the meeting's morrow
Roll the tides of truth.
Though each man with courage fired
Hundreds forward bore,
Though a thousand died inspired,
There is need of more.
May a Northern Spring come blowing
Over wood and field,
Wake the hundred thousands, knowing
Meeting-hour revealed!
Hail! A Northern day is written
In the brightening sky;
Darksome dread, that erst had smitten,
Flees, now dawn is nigh.
After Gjallar-horn blasts hollow,
Tears and shame and blood,
As so often, now shall follow
Full the spirit's flood.
In our people's life deep-seated
This is felt each day:
Who grows stronger when defeated,
Victor stands for aye.
Our Spring-meeting's fullness swells now,
Bearing prophecy
Of the Spring whose hope upwells now:
Hail, the Northern three!
poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Watching Washington Work
In the early days of convinced student ambition
I watched Washington work where even the press didn't care
The Special Subcommitte on Student Unrest to be exact the
Honorable Edith Green - Chair.
I recall the specific names and faces and antics and lack the courage to tell you what truly went on.
Strangely I loved the representative from Alaska most, who later was killed in a plane crash running for the Senate their bodies never recovered, and a representative from New York City least - who wanted to be President.
The Alaskan was a man strangely full and the New Yorker strangely hollow but this is my theological judgement.
What could a student possibly know who once wanted to be President himself and lacks even today the courage to tell you how that little piece
of Washington worked?
poem by Bill Grace
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Pentecost
Lord God, the Holy Ghost,
In this accepted hour,
As on the day of Pentecost,
Descend in all thy power.
We meet with one accord
Within this hallowed place,
And wait the promise of our Lord,
The Spirit of all grace.
Like mighty rushing wind
Upon the waves beneath,
Move with one impulse every mind;
One soul, one feeling breathe;
The young, the old inspire
With wisdom from above;
And give us hearts and tongues of fire,
To pray, and praise, and love.
Spirit of light, explore
And chase our gloom away,
With lustre shining more and more
Unto the perfect day.
Spirit of truth, be Thou,
In life and death, our guide:
O Spirit of adoption, now
May we be sanctified.
poem by James Montgomery
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Do Exactly
Of wisdom, knowledge and understanding;
Of peace, love and care;
Of power, beauty and kindness;
We have the spirit of truth and the spirit of error!
So do not be a lair to your friends.
Dance exactly as he danced and,
Do not follow that which is evil;
Learn exactly as he learnt and,
be very strong like the palm tree;
For this world is getting worse all the time.
Greedy dogs!
They lie to the people;
So do write out exactly as he wrote,
For the truth is always the truth.
Of a great plan,
Of a great puzzle,
It is getting worse all the time with the world;
So try to test every spirit.
I have not send them, yet they run;
I have not spoken to them, yet they speak;
But try to eat from the tree of life to gain wisdom always.
Life is like the potter's clay and,
You have to do exactly as they did;
But do go for the truth always.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Acronymn on Homeschooling
H is for homework - You can never really escape that!
O is for open mindedness - If you open your mind, you will have a teachable spirit, and after a teachable spirit, follows wisdom and understanding.
M is for memories - Cherish them wholly, and they will never depart from you.
E is for education - No matter how old one may get, he never ceases learning.
S is for summer vacation - I'll say, 'Amen' to that!
c is for Catching a nap when your teacher isnt looking - Kids, don't do this! Its not worth it.
H is for helping hands - helping hands hold within their grasp the power to change the world for the better good.
O is for on time - Unfortunately, there is really no great excuse for being late.
O is for opportunity - Seize the moment! For you were born for such a time as this.
L is for lessons of life - Do not let you past wheigh you down. Instead, learn from it, and lift your face towards the bright future that lies just ahead of you!
I is for Iowa - this is just ONE of the 50 states that a student must memorize.
N is for never giving up - no matterwhat.
G is for greatness - celebrate your success, and work towards a better future.
poem by Macy Dvirnak
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Changing Hearts And Minds
It’s God who puts in man’s heart, Eternal Truth, that won’t depart,
His Truth, that remains the same, causing man’s mind to change,
Through His Spirit, God inspires, hearts to change to His desires,
Thus, changing the course of a life, to live anew for Jesus Christ.
Following a darkened spiritual lull, only God can speak to a soul,
To lead that soul from the night, and back into the Savior’s Light,
Taking him from a time of sin, to again, instill God’s Hope within,
As he follows The Spirit’s lead, not just to listen but now to heed.
Believers, by Christ, are set apart, with His Spirit, within our heart,
His Seal on them, of His Grace, Who goes with them every place,
With them even when they stray, far from their Lord’s chosen way,
And even when they stray from Him, to find them self deep in sin.
God continues to work from inside, even when they do not abide,
Speaking through the quiet voice, as an influence in every choice,
Yet, each choice is ours to make, and this world we must forsake,
To live our lives for His praise, as we choose to change our ways.
So we yield to The Spirit’s plea, Who, opens up our minds to see,
We truly need a change of heart, so God can give us a fresh start,
As this world soon shall perish, and it’s The Lord we must cherish,
Turning our hearts back to Calvary, with our mind fixed on Eternity.
(Copyright ©02/2009)
You Can Also Do It
What one student can accomplish
You can also do, if relished.
For every student is fully furnished,
With material and mental muscles,
To sundry scholarly tasks undertake,
All school subjects understand,
And every academic errand,
Eagerly and excellently ended.
This clarifies the claim that,
You too can definitely do,
What any student can do.
Where one student can glitter
You can, if you wish, also glisten
The secret is surprisingly simple
Your strengths crystal-clearly identify
Your weaknesses cautiously classify
A sound study strategy surfaces
Making solid your strengths
Weakening your weaknesses
Empowering and propelling you
To execute every exercise
With striking success
Proving without doubt that
What one student can come through,
You can also pull through.
What one student can take on,
You can upon yourself take.
The strategies would be different,
Tailored to your varying talents,
Measured to match ones might,
Designed to dim ones debility.
John devotes two hours for task A,
Jason donates four hours for same,
Both perfectly accomplish task.
Both employ effectual tactics,
Informed by reliable and relevant input,
Distilled diligently from each student's
Position, prowess and purpose.
What one student can embark on
You can also embark upon
The secret for success is, thus, simple
Understand your weaknesses
Your strengths properly evaluate
Let these facts shape your plan
Let these data direct your path
With these specifics as drivers of your planning,
Opportunities grasped on time,
Giving time proper respect,
You can also do,
What other students can do.
poem by Emmanuel Oduro
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Ancient Dust Of My Homeland
Spirit of Mystic Aoteaora, enter into me
Land of Long White Cloud, enter into me
Spirit of My Forebears Ancestors, enter into me
Spirit you called Legendary Fairy Folk, enter into me
Spirit of ice capped southern mountains,
rivers forests glaciers, enter into me
Spirit of this old mystic majestic land,
encapsulating my birthright, enter into me
Dark majestic nights descend
upon wild west coast beaches,
Moonlight lapping serene wave tops
sparkling with ephemeral magic
Spirit of multitudinal diverse natures
Blowing in spray blown sea breezes,
Spirit of ancient dust of my homeland
Spirit of ancient Aotearoa, enter into me
Aotearoa (pronounced [aoˌ teaˈ roa]) is the most widely known and accepted Mā ori name for New Zealand.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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So Others See
As The Spirit moves on men, they are led to be Born Again,
Experiencing a spiritual birth, while living life upon the earth.
Some say spiritual conversion, is by others just a diversion,
Taking them out of true reality, to a world that none can see.
It’s by faith we’ve been saved, from the world, so depraved,
Believing what we cannot see, and focused now on Eternity.
We get Truth on what’s to come, by the Spirit of God’s Son,
God’s Truth about a reality, that’s bigger than eyes, can see.
From a world, changing fast, we see an eternity that will last,
Knowing not what is ahead, we lean upon The Word instead,
With our focus now on God, not on the shifting, earthly sod,
It’s The Spirit we can’t see, who opens eyes, of you and me.
Eyes of only earthly sight, were opened by the Gospel light,
Once veiled to things of Christ, are opened in a spiritual life.
A new life of Eternal worth, far above all the things on earth,
For all we can touch and see, will never last through eternity.
It is The Spirit, who opens eyes, to make men eternally wise,
A wisdom that shall begin, that moment you are Born Again,
And begin living your life, through the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Living a life so others see, the Hope that you have Eternally.
(Copyright ©01/2008)
Only One Truth
What Jesus Christ did for you, no other religious leader could do,
And what He does in the eyes of all, will indeed, be their downfall.
For only Christ died for all men, while they were to be condemned,
And only He will be returning again, as Lord and Savior of all men.
Many people, in ignorance proclaim, a salvation in another’s name,
Exalting a man and his cause, that’s filled with many spiritual flaws.
If they’d only read God’s Word, they’d see Truth that they’ve heard,
The Eternal Truth, men need to fear, as God’s Judgment is so near.
Until then many others shall come, in the Name of God’s Only Son,
Depicting scripture in a different view, with a darker, religious skew.
But God has only one Revelation, One Truth that leads to salvation,
From His Only Son, Jesus Christ, in whom men receive Eternal Life.
There is another spirit, not of God, sent throughout this earthly sod,
And Satan’s the prince down here, deceiving men both far and near.
God’s Spirit is through Jesus Christ, who alone was God’s Sacrifice,
And He sends His Spirit to all of us, who in God have put their trust.
We were warned by God, in love, that not every spirit is from above,
And not to be by men deceived, when Truth, they have not received,
But, by His Spirit receive Truth, so, not to see God’s strong reproof,
And from all deception be set free, to live with God through Eternity.
(Copyright ©09/2008)