2 May 2019
“Zenith & Nadir”
The zenith and nadir of human – and all of – history occurred in one weekend! A weekend that was just recognized and celebrated …
© Joshua Curtis, text and picture, 2019
Young Poet!
The other day, I was sitting out on the porch working on writing Xenophobic. It was approaching dinner time and my oldest daughter – who is seven – came out to announce this fact. I have shared some of my poems before with the kids and she, in particular, loves words and stories. I only had three lines at this point and she asked me to read them. I read what I had so far and she, of course, followed up with a few questions. Then, she wanted to write on the page her own poem. This tickled me. However, since her heralding of dinnertime seemed to be derailed, my wife followed up with her announcement – it was time to move our feet!
After dinner, my daughter went right back to her request. I obliged and handed over my notebook and pen, instructing her to write on the page next to the one I was using. She finished her first masterpiece with great joy and delight and showed me straight away. She asked if I wanted her to read it to me, and I said, “Yes! Of course!” She proceeded without an ounce of hesitation. She then went and read it to her mother, granny and paw paw!
I told her I was going to post it on my website. So, without further ado, my “Y” post, and my oldest’s first poem! I pray you enjoy!
© Joshua Curtis, 2019 | E. Curtis, 2019 – text and picture
Xenophobic
I apologize for being absent the last few days. The point of this challenge is to publish daily. My bad!
Let’s push onward!
1 May 2019
“Xenophobic”
“Families; arise!” The voice rumbled in song,
The words echoing deeply, far and long;
Lion, majestically perched on the hill.
The soil in the field around shakes, stirs,
Arising bones, fangs, brains, and various furs,
A host of families standing in awe – still.
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Emeralds, jaspers and sapphires; eyes burn bright,
As they gaze upon the Lion, radiating golden light,
Groaning stirs in a cacophony of praise;
Panthers, cheetahs, cougars, tigers – among the crowd –
Made in the glorious Lion’s likeness, and proud,
Living amongst each other – blessed days.
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As seasons pass, the families move out to other lands,
Spend less time with the Lion – souls erode from time’s sands,
Skirmishes began then escalate to ugly battles;
Removing their beautiful eyes from the Lion’s glory,
They forgot their majesty and their place in the story,
Trading royalty to be evil’s slaughtered cattle.
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Cheetahs begin hating panthers for fur so dark,
Panthers hate cheetahs because they run like a spark,
Both hate tigers for their majestic stripes;
Differences emphasized as the hate continues to rise,
More eagerly they believe lies, little do they realize,
They all reflect majesty with their various types.
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One day a magnificent light bursts from the forgotten field,
Uncertain and nervous, but to curiosity they all begin to yield,
Back towards the hill they quietly stalk;
But what they found gave shock and awe,
As a pure white lamb is the sight they saw,
Approach with intentions ill; whispering hideous talk.
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Evil brought unity – to kill them lamb, one accord –
But as they draw nigh, fear pierced as a sword,
Radiating from the lamb, life, grace and power;
A fiery serpent leapt from shadows, attacking lamb’s leg,
The lamb collapsed as darkness fell – situation vague –
Yet many leap for the body to devour.
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Yet, unable as conviction rippled through, something was wrong!
Many wandered off, but a few stayed and united in a mournful song,
Tears discolored fur; then, a great flash!
The lamb arose and became the Lion they once knew,
As the scarred leg crushed the serpent’s head; sky cleared to blue.
Lion died for their faults, no more need to clash!
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Those who believed, their foolish quarrels his grace their smothers,
They remain united in variance as the Lion’s children, brothers,
They choose life, remaining in the field of light;
The others choose the darkness, acting more like rats or bats,
Forgetting their beauty, killing others for being the wrong cats;
They trade life for abundant xenophobic plight.
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
War Declarations
This is another old one. It is in need of some editing to be sure! I don’t really want to post it for that reason, but it’s a place that still speaks to me and the growth I hope to continue to make, so I’m putting it out there. Maybe I can post an edited version soon, we’ll see. Anyway, hope it’s semi-enjoyable and/or relatable.
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
Vibrations & Vortex
Here are two old ones … Vortex I put up before as a off, but here is a picture. Hope you enjoy.
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
Ubiquity
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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
26 April 2019
1 . Sun begins quest; invigorates life and beauty – warmth to all
2. Water cultivates blessings; bequeaths life through stages yielded
3. Stars uniquely blaze; inquisition sparked at their shining glory
4. Creatures unequivocally abound – in quiet abundance – our joy
5. Pupils and irises bleed liquid at breathtaking sights; lovely
6. Beautiful babies conquering love; capturing hearts without trying
7. Undeniably life is quickened and infused by beauty’s intensity!
Romans 1.19-20 – “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.“
I implore you, look around. In the midst of the swirling darkness; bullets zooming, bombs igniting, fists flying, beauty abounds. Look past the darkness of the veil. At the eyes of the owl, the immovability of a mountain’s beauty; the joy of a baby through the pain of bearing that child. God’s nature echoes through all of creation. He is constantly present, even when we can’t see him. The presence of his holding hands when we don’t comprehend the workings of his fingers! His name and goodness – ubiquity! He is like that word in this poem – always present though seemingly hiding within the shadows. But, when the veil is removed…
1 . Sun begins quest; invigorates life and beauty – warmth to all
2. Water cultivates blessings; bequeaths life through stages yielded
3. Stars uniquely blaze; inquisition sparked at their shining glory
4. Creatures unequivocally abound – in quiet abundance – our joy
5. Pupils and irises bleed liquid at breathtaking sights; lovely
6. Beautiful babies conquering love; capturing hearts without trying
7. Undeniably life is quickened and infused by beauty’s intensity!
We see the truth of its presence. With him, we see the truth we’ve been seeking when the veil’s removed.
Soak up the beauty around and the source of that beauty!
Peace be with you – because he’s available!
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
Thankful
23 April 2019
sin on! Losing all of my grips
you say that I am going to win, Ultimately
can you see me as for provision I Faithfully wait
am I able to, there are Kids to feed and give vision
Nightingale song stale melting within me that which is
glorious, Amazingly you fail at all I heal
I trust I’m found Harmonious within, as in you,
me in your way, presence, Lord oh, Turn right around!
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Turn me, oh Lord, in your presence, right way around!
Harmonious within, as I trust in you I’m found,
Amazingly glorious you heal all that I fail,
Nightingale song melting within me that which is stale
Kids there are to feed and I am able to give vision,
Faithfully you can see me, as I wait for provision,
Ultimately, you say that I am going to win
Losing all of my grips on sin!
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
Sublime
21 April 2019
“Sublime”
In the midst of life’s trench,
Aha! A wood-chip rooted bench,
A sweet aroma – escaping moist stench –
The blessed moment to seize, clench!
Three children blissfully play, as we
Flanked by each flower and tree,
Washed in waves of sun and breeze – glee –
As an old friend – nestled in hand – sits with me.
Ushered into the presence of God,
As we – across the lawn – march, trod,
Over the imbalance of Spring’s semi-dry sod;
Coffee sip, book trembles lip, kids flip – to Creator I nod!
I want to thank all of you for the likes and support you have given lately. This A-Z Challenge has been very good. I really enjoyed deciding to do a segment on Holy Week in the middle of the challenge. It didn’t end quite as strong as I was hoping, but I did what I could with working a lot of hours, kids, etc.
Story time
Today was beautiful here in the Midwest of the US. I actually got to read a little today to and outside no less! I LOVE books. However, I don’t get to read often – certainly not often enough. Unfortunately, although the love was always there, it was not cultivated in me early on. Instead I spent most of my time playing basketball or video games. Those activities were fine in themselves, but I was neglecting my real desire all along. I didn’t really get into reading too much until high school and it was sporadic at best. I do remember when I started to love books though – or, at least when it made an impact on me.
I was a little boy. I shared a room with one of my brothers and we had bunk beds. My bed was on the bottom – which meant I took most of the abuse from my brother throwing things at me, etc. I digress. One particular night, our mother was putting us to bed. She washed the sheets and was making our beds. She finished my bed first. I jumped into the bed and snuggled up into the fresh sheets as she started making my brother’s bed.
As I laid there while they chatted away, I looked across the room. In the corner opposite of my bed there was a stack of books on the floor. I heard them beckoning! Being the obedient child I was … ahem … I jumped out of the bed and went over to the stack of books. I remember that I couldn’t even read. I remember not knowing what the words said, but still fascinated as I looked at each one of them. They just kept chatting away and I paid no mind, knowing my mother would be interrupting soon to usher me back into my bed. I was enthralled in the moment. Amazed as these books just captured my heart – not even knowing what they said!
BAM! My heart lept within. What in the world was going on! A very loud crash behind me! I spun around to see what had happened. Both my mother and brother stood their with bewilderment and shock on their faces. The bunk bed had collapsed as the top bunk – with reinforced wood and all – came tumbling down onto the bottom bunk. The best decision of my childhood right there. Getting out of that bed to gaze upon these books. I think I was actually obeying in that moment. Obeying God as he called me from that frame to look at these stories across the room … I don’t remember anything else from that day or what we did after our beds went out of commission. I’m guessing we slept on the floor, or the coach perhaps? At any rate, I have been drawn to books since this time.
I can just walk through the library and just feel lost … at home. I want to just be present and browse for hours.
As far as writing, that came later. I started writing poetry mostly because of girls. “Hey girl, check out these lines, they all mines!” Yeah, it didn’t start off too well, but growth does happen. It was also the movie Finding Forrester, still one of my favorite movies. If only I could write as well as that! Then I became a Christian and he became the focus of my attention and the thrall of what I desire to express. Maybe I would have been better if I would have worked on enhancing this desire and gift versus everything else that I have done. But, it’s okay. He works it all out for good.
As you continue to join me on this journey, hopefully you will see some growth and good things happening. In the meantime, thank you all! Feedback is welcome! Thanks for sharing your time and thoughts.
Sublime blessings to you!
© Joshua Curtis, 2019
Resurrection Reports
HE IS RISEN!
The Conclusion – and beginning – of Holy Week.
During the Festival of Sukkot – in Autumn – there is an eight day celebration. Sukkot goes for one week and then there is an extra day that is set apart. It’s a 7+1 celebration. There is something significant about eight days in Scripture. Now, this isn’t something that we need to get weird about – as we have a tendency to do. It just shows us God is up to something … (For an introduction to Sukkot and the eight days, here is one website you can check out; and I’m sure there are many – and I am not promoting them, I’m just saying they talk about it).
I only bring this up for two quick reasons. One, we see Jesus do this during holy week. He began on Palm Sunday and proceeds for a week through the Sabbath on Saturday. And then, something very significant happens that 7+1 – that eighth – day!
Second, I am intrigued by so many of you all and the work you put into your blog. One of the things that I find creative is the six word stories. I want to try and tackle this, however, in lieu of the special eight days, I wanted to record just a few of the people that witnessed this event in eight word stories. Oh boy!
Angel
I moved the stone, sat on top; gazed!
Roman Guards
We guarded, angel rolled the stone – we ran!
Religious Leaders
He did what?! Here’s more money soldiers. Lie!
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Mary
Sun rises. To tomb – spices. Gardener? Son rises!
John
I run faster. Peter enters. Heart perplexed; stirred!
Peter
I’m slower, but enter tomb first. He lives!
Two Walkers
He walked, hearts burned. Fed us, eyes opened!
Thomas
I don’t believe – must feel him … … Lord Jesus!
The Eleven
Doors locked; scared. How did you get here?!
Whose cooking breakfast on shore? That’s our Lord!
Paul
I will stop them all! … … “Paul!” … My Lord!
500+
We all give witness – we have seen him!
Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels
Photo by Nacho Juárez from Pexels
I hope you all have a wonder day!
Quandering Quest
Questions quickly quake,
Quill quietly quivers.
Quest quelled by quibbler’s quib –
Quid pro quo; for quandary, quarters and quagmire!
Questant queasy … quitting quill for qiviut quilt.
NoblemanWarrior's Quill 