03 March 2015

Lenten Illusion

We forget sometimes
that accepting the
task and way of faith
may lead to the cross.

Yes, that one, that then
was corporal pun-
ishment and now seems
random but is not.

Would I die for peace?
Yes, I say, but I
haven’t accepted
danger for decades.

And the war rages—
that of lambs and that
of lions, a March
reflection on Mars.

Just when it seems that
God has abandoned
us, the message will
come and make us choose.

And it will seem a group
choice, but in the end
we each die alone
faithful and scared too.

But only the next
step, I remind us—
we don’t know the way
until the door opens.

We may be righting
a wrong or writing
a book or walking
along this long road

and the crown of thorns
lights on our un-sus-
pecting brow when we
can no longer choose.

I hope to howl my
forgiveness outloud;
I hope to see God’s
Light in front of me.





Posted at Poets United for Poetry Pantry #242



Copyright © 2015  S.L.Chast



27 comments:

  1. I. LOVE. THIS!!!!!!!! A manifesto. "I hope to howl my forgiveness out loud".......you will definitely see God's light in front of you, kiddo.

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  2. ALLAH is most gracious most merciful...trust faith love for all is the right path move on to acceptance of all and there you will see the Light

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  3. Interesting and confronting question, 'Would I die for peace?' One can only hope so, if it were necessary. And yet....

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  4. I don't think that God has abandoned us. His message is loud and strong. It is the same message He has spoken for centuries, but sometimes we need reminding... God somehow knows this and opens doors!

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  5. a march reflection on mars hill...careful, that light in front can lead to blinding...just ask saul...or paul...but he turned out ok...it always leads to the cross...we just have to be willing to take it up...forgiveness is a cross in many ways...being willing to let our feelings die to accept another....

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  6. Have you changed this since I first read it, Susan? It seems the lines are shorter than I remember. It works really well, and has even more impact. I still resonate with those closing lines. Impactful!

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  7. To me the concept of the torture has never seemed closer than today.. Yet some is news and the way it's presented. So I hope we can solve it ourselves as human beings.

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  8. With so many problem to fraught with only and only god can show us the right path and light.

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  9. for me it's also the little choices along the way - each day - in the light of the cross..

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  10. There are so many problems besetting the world and we in our madness expect politicians to solve them. Perhaps our faith is somewhat misplaced and we should endeavour to do no harm to mankind or the natural world with a little guidance from above.

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  11. I am not a believer as such and it is true that we essentially are on our own..but i sometimes feel that light comes when we need it...and it's not always the huge ray we imagine..a kind tap of the hand..someone picking up a dropped shopping bag..little acts of help..we reap what we sow perhaps and light is shed on those deserving and darker souls will be dealt with by a bigger force somehow...

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  12. It is hard to maintain a hopeful perspective on life when faced with the dire realities of warfare that have become the norm in too many parts of the world.

    Thank you for this message.

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  13. i echo Bjorn...i hope we can solve it ourselves as human beings... and so when that eternal sleep enters my eyes and with a smile i shall sleep taking my last breath knowing i chanted words of peace and love to repair our disrepair

    gracias susan

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  14. sometimes it's easier said and done. i feel of us exactly have that feeling especially when we found ourselves in that position.

    a reflective post for this season Susan. we should also be ready in our daily lives and ask for his forgiveness every opportunity we have.

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  15. Powerful truth. So many times we say "I do", but do absolutely nothing to prove it. I've always wondered how many will be able to stand tall by their words when the moment of truth by deed looks them in the eye.

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  16. A true insight...what we we hope what we want to achieve at the end of our journey nothing but ...light of God!

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  17. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. May you see God's light on the path ahead..Amen! I love this, Susan!

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  18. Beautiful. And yes the way will be difficult.

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  19. A thoughtfully written Lenten reflection - the final stanza really wonderful

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  20. Another one who has not gone for danger in decades here. I love forgiveness, and am reminded of a quote on it I read of late, to paraphrase... forgiveness may not change the past, but it sure makes going forward a lot easier. Lovely poem.

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  21. 'we each die alone' ~ true, so were born alone too....we don't have to die for anything at all....it's just physical part of us worries, but the spirit/soul wants evolvement/light, new experience at Earth, and connection, of course....and this last part required the efforts and skill...~ meaningful reflection!

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  22. The journey towards the light is full of choices and forgiveness..a beautiful Sunday poem.

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  23. I think we must all answer these questions some day....and come to terms with our actions....yes I would die for peace....and I live to do no harm only to bring kindness...His best legacy!

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  24. I love the wisdom of the last stanza ~ A timely reflection during the Lenten season, thanks for sharing Susan ~

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    Replies
    1. Oh Susan, I have read your words several times, and each reading becomes a chant, a prayer, a promise. Thank you for sharing this; it's quite timely for a few reasons beyond the religious, isn't it? The last stanza is captivating!

      Poppy

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  25. the thought that we each die alone is frightening, but it is quite true.
    powerful work!

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  26. God is always with us..He never lets his children to be alone...at least, I love to think in this way..:-)

    I hope to howl my
    forgiveness outloud;
    I hope to see God’s
    Light in front of me.

    Loved these lines... :-)

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