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Post by Reilley on Apr 7, 2014 12:34:39 GMT -6
Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to come back. If they had I would have flat out refused. Why would I want to trade peaceful bliss, eternity in the presence of Grace, for a decrepit meat-sack of ills and pain? I was light, soft cloud-breeze light, made of light, and before I could beg to stay, I was back - housed in three dimensions, slowed to a crawl, with an inescapable expiration date.
How could I then refuse, ungrateful cur, when I had instantly become both icon and cause, when He who had blessed me so was standing there, smiling beatifically with pure love, when loved ones sang and multitudes cheered with the fervor of the converted? So I did as was expected of me, as I had been raised to do, I fell into old habits of fealty and service.
But for a moment, just one shining moment, I could remember with the sharpness of summer skies what I had lost, what had been taken from me, and despite the good intentions of His acts and the loving embrace of my family’s joy, there was nothing I was capable of doing except yearning to return.
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Post by Brigid Briton on Apr 7, 2014 14:29:57 GMT -6
Hi Reilley,
This is a great comic take on the tale of Old Laz. I love the double meaning of this line: "as I had been raised to do". Just when he thought he had gone to his reward, oops, he's raised again. It would probably have been even worse if he'd been playing poker with the almighty.
I enjoyed this!
Brigid
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saore
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by saore on Apr 7, 2014 14:49:20 GMT -6
Another well written poem. I am a fan.
Sergio
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Post by Daniel Mark Extrom on Apr 8, 2014 9:10:13 GMT -6
Hi Reilley,
Deep. I see it as dark, though I guess there is a comic element to it. I haven't thought about the Lazarus story in a long time, but I can almost imagine a play or film with both tragic and comic aspects. It could be done from several different points of view too. Sorry, my imagination gets away sometimes.
I read this about 15 times, and think I'll come back to it again. There's more to think about, I think.
Well done, and a good subject.
Dan
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Lazarus
Apr 8, 2014 10:16:01 GMT -6
Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 8, 2014 10:16:01 GMT -6
Hello Reilley, an intriguing and captivating read that is very-well done! thanks for sharing
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saore
Junior Member
Posts: 91
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Post by saore on Apr 9, 2014 7:23:36 GMT -6
I came back and read and find it even more compelling,
Sergio
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Post by Brigid Briton on Apr 9, 2014 7:39:58 GMT -6
Hi again, Reilley. Well, as is usual with your poetry, this one has generated lots of interest and is building a real following for you. (BTW, people, did you know that you can actually "follow" anyone on this forum? Just click on the name of whomever you want to follow and that will take you to their profile page. Click on the FOLLOW box towards the right side of the page and you're their official follower!) I guess I'm just a bit cock-eyed in my perception but I still read this as more humorous than not. One line I'm kind of wondering about now, though is "inescapable expiration date". Since Laz has just been given a glimpse of the great by-and-by and all its wonders, I'm thinking he might have reason to think that his expiration date might not be entirely inescapable. After all, he'd just escaped an inescapable expiration date. It's a cool phrase but not sure whether it really fits, under the extraordinary circumstances. Your mileage may vary, to quote a well-known bard. Brigid
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