03 August 2016

After the Revival

The infinity symbol


Our hearts approach infinity—
almost ready to humbly share
with those who have been harmed.

But like airplanes stuck in holding
patterns before safe landings,
we run out of time instead.

We set our stakes too high, we who
want to be Jesus Christ rather
than any old child of God.

And so we talk of Acceptance
as if that's our God-given task
instead of finding Courage.

Or we shop Emerald City
forgetting the Wizard of Oz
is merely an opportunist.

But what if we rely instead
on who we are?  who we can be?
Could we land with time to spare?



For Sumana's prompt 

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Acceptance







My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.

© 2016 Susan L. Chast



23 comments:

  1. we who
    want to be Jesus Christ rather
    than any old child of God... powerful! Love this one.

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  2. Hmmm, if we put our life into a holding pattern for too long, we are bound to run out of fuel and crash down to earth. Accepting that a landing may dangerous and difficult can mean that we survive...

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  3. Very expressive. Appreciate you sharing.

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  4. Ah, I think we talk of 'acceptance' but still hope for the courage and ability to change.

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  5. I love the idea of relying on who we are and who we can be!

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  6. "But what if we rely instead
    on who we are? who we can be?
    Boldly land with time to spare?" power could be felt in each word....

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  7. Wow, what perfect concepts....who we are and who we can be....and courage rather than acceptance.

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  8. Reading this again for Pantry, Susan! Thinking of the Wizard of Oz as an opportunist this time. Sigh. Wondering if this at all refers to Donald Trump.......as much a fraud as the Wizard.

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  9. Acceptance is such a hard message.. I'm reading Germinal by Zola at the moment and the message of Acceptance for those miners is hard to comprehend

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  10. Beautifully evocative write, Susan :)

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  11. But what if we rely instead
    on who we are? who we can be?

    We have our own strengths. We may not have extended efforts that can create good solutions. One never knows until one tries harder!

    Hank

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  12. There certainly no time like the present to make decisions about being true to ourselves.

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  13. The metaphor of flying and the infinity symbol are superb - i think 'we' have an ejector seat that almost stops us being still..travelling thoughtfully.. and landing safely.. and this reader is certainly guilty of shopping the Emerald City (fantastic line) - even knowing that the Wizard is rubbing his hands in glee at the gift shop counter..

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  14. So often religious egotism sets in, so true, and so aptly poemed
    " We set our stakes too high, we who
    want to be Jesus Christ rather
    than any old child of God."

    Thanks for the encouragement of your last verse, which is highly inspirational
    A blessed Sunday to you Susan

    much love...

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  15. Sometimes, it is better to walk in humility as a simple child of creator, learning the meaning of true-self.

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  16. The stanza about a plane in a holding pattern is supremely beautiful. A great image for this beautiful poem.

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  17. I loved the question posed here and how you wrap them into your final stanza--acceptance can be difficult

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  18. I feel your fighting spirit here, Susan! We are who we decide to be...

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  19. Acceptance can be a challenge.....

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  20. I thought that the airplanes in holding patterns analogy was splendid - just perfect. For mere morals: time is finite - and yet, that is a reality we seldom take to heart.

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  21. Ah, but at the end of the story, the Wizard finally sees himself and what he has become. Steps out from behind the curtain and accepts and truly becomes the Wizard he is. Giving gifts to each of his guests, they need and can that can only strengthen them.

    Elizabeth,
    PS I loved the video at the end.

    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com
    http://1sojournal.wordpress.com

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