deepundergroundpoetry.com
consider the stars
Hope founded upon a human being, a man-made philosophy, or any
institution is always misplaced... because these things are unreliable
and fleeting.—Charles Stanley
consider the infant in his crib,
old-fashioned from Adam’s broken rib;
what shall he become—a bird on wings?
how will he receive life’s offerings?
consider the young man in his prime,
beleaguered by conflicts in his time;
the blossom of youth becomes the fruit
that ferries his world from bud to root.
consider the old man with his cane,
slow-hoisting himself through aches and pain;
sagistic his thoughts and wise his rule,
where time has not made of him a fool.
consider the carcass in his grave,
where worms sate the craw on coy and brave;
men find no pursuit in silent soil,
although aboveground they sweat and toil.
consider the stars while you are quick;
swift days mark the burning of time’s wick.
find purpose beyond this heathen place;
seek favour in God’s Amazing Grace.
© Copyright 2022 December 01
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
institution is always misplaced... because these things are unreliable
and fleeting.—Charles Stanley
consider the infant in his crib,
old-fashioned from Adam’s broken rib;
what shall he become—a bird on wings?
how will he receive life’s offerings?
consider the young man in his prime,
beleaguered by conflicts in his time;
the blossom of youth becomes the fruit
that ferries his world from bud to root.
consider the old man with his cane,
slow-hoisting himself through aches and pain;
sagistic his thoughts and wise his rule,
where time has not made of him a fool.
consider the carcass in his grave,
where worms sate the craw on coy and brave;
men find no pursuit in silent soil,
although aboveground they sweat and toil.
consider the stars while you are quick;
swift days mark the burning of time’s wick.
find purpose beyond this heathen place;
seek favour in God’s Amazing Grace.
© Copyright 2022 December 01
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
Published 1st Dec 2022
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 5
reading list entries 3
comments 11
reads 298
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
2nd Dec 2022 3:49am
Enjoyed all the stages in this.
In an odd way it reminds me of the stations
of the cross. Biblical in tone but crosses over
into modern time quite smoothly.
Enjoyed reading Cab:)
In an odd way it reminds me of the stations
of the cross. Biblical in tone but crosses over
into modern time quite smoothly.
Enjoyed reading Cab:)
5th Dec 2022 6:33pm
Thank you, Adel!
You have made the perfect comparison, when I pause to consider it: the only thing on my mind when I wrote this poem was how it could cover all of human existence, in terms of a lifetime.
I have not paid much attention to the theology of the stations of the cross, which seems to have a varied number -- 7 stations, 12 stations, 14 stations. However, when I look back at the poem, I can see clearly a development along similar lines to those of the stations, namely:
(1) Jesus is condemned to death, (2) he is made to bear his cross, (3) he falls the first time, (4) he meets his mother, (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face, (7) he falls the second time, (8) the women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus, (9) he falls the third time, (10) he is stripped of his garments, (11) he is nailed to the cross, (12) he dies on the cross, (13) he is taken down from the cross, and (14) he is placed in the sepulcher.
The MOST IMPORTANT STATION of the Cross, for me, would be when Jesus rose from the dead and defied the power of death on the Cross, because He is not now lying in His grave, nor did He remain there for long. And even after His resurrection, there came His Ascension. I would even add his Jerusalem Birth in the stable as the first station of the Cross, because He came to the earth to die on the Cross.
Your words are quite encouraging; thanks for the feedback.
You have made the perfect comparison, when I pause to consider it: the only thing on my mind when I wrote this poem was how it could cover all of human existence, in terms of a lifetime.
I have not paid much attention to the theology of the stations of the cross, which seems to have a varied number -- 7 stations, 12 stations, 14 stations. However, when I look back at the poem, I can see clearly a development along similar lines to those of the stations, namely:
(1) Jesus is condemned to death, (2) he is made to bear his cross, (3) he falls the first time, (4) he meets his mother, (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face, (7) he falls the second time, (8) the women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus, (9) he falls the third time, (10) he is stripped of his garments, (11) he is nailed to the cross, (12) he dies on the cross, (13) he is taken down from the cross, and (14) he is placed in the sepulcher.
The MOST IMPORTANT STATION of the Cross, for me, would be when Jesus rose from the dead and defied the power of death on the Cross, because He is not now lying in His grave, nor did He remain there for long. And even after His resurrection, there came His Ascension. I would even add his Jerusalem Birth in the stable as the first station of the Cross, because He came to the earth to die on the Cross.
Your words are quite encouraging; thanks for the feedback.
4th Dec 2022 4:49am
"consider the stars while you are quick;
swift days mark the burning of time’s wick"
That stands out.
I'm digging the poem cab.
LJ
swift days mark the burning of time’s wick"
That stands out.
I'm digging the poem cab.
LJ
5th Dec 2022 6:41pm
Hi, Ljd
Thanks for highlighting the essence of life in those two lines, for, indeed, we must do all we can NOW, to make the world a better place, since life is fleeting as time's wick swiftly burns.
I am digging your shrewd attention to the critical takeaway.
Thanks for highlighting the essence of life in those two lines, for, indeed, we must do all we can NOW, to make the world a better place, since life is fleeting as time's wick swiftly burns.
I am digging your shrewd attention to the critical takeaway.
6th Dec 2022 00:16am
I love the humbly sagacious journey through the life cycle you've taken us on here, making that connection between the macrocosm and microcosm, much like the sacred order of hermeticism. The voice is warm and radiant.
15th Dec 2022 3:29am
Observations deeply appreciated, DC. I always stand in anticipation of your seasonal visits to the site; hopefully, these are moments of refreshing for you.
If I've taken a while to acknowledge your accolades, it's because I've had my hands full in other arenas. Thanks for the RL wow.
Sincerely
cab
If I've taken a while to acknowledge your accolades, it's because I've had my hands full in other arenas. Thanks for the RL wow.
Sincerely
cab
8th Dec 2022 8:26pm
A lot to contemplate...
What will he become?
So many possibilities...
The young with so many challenges.
Trying to put down roots.
All the anxiety and difficulties.
And we can learn so much from the old.
A lifetime of lessons...
Then the finality of the grave.
Or perhaps it's just the beginning.
So much to consider and experience.
And yet we always seem to be in a rush.
Never quite fully considering life's offerings.
Or what's to come next.
Made me think of this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z4qkN4HmVQ
What will he become?
So many possibilities...
The young with so many challenges.
Trying to put down roots.
All the anxiety and difficulties.
And we can learn so much from the old.
A lifetime of lessons...
Then the finality of the grave.
Or perhaps it's just the beginning.
So much to consider and experience.
And yet we always seem to be in a rush.
Never quite fully considering life's offerings.
Or what's to come next.
Made me think of this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z4qkN4HmVQ
15th Dec 2022 3:49am
Hi, Kris
Great to see you here. Thanks for sharing the sentiments of "consider the stars." At first, I thought your verified response was a rendering of the lyrics of the song you are reminded of. But after listening and not hearing those lyrics, I realised you were writing your own poetic thoughts.
Bob Marley's son Ziggy has written a song, "Love Is My Religion," which seems to coincide well with "Homemade Religion." Thank you for stopping by and for the RL honour.
Sincerely
cab
Great to see you here. Thanks for sharing the sentiments of "consider the stars." At first, I thought your verified response was a rendering of the lyrics of the song you are reminded of. But after listening and not hearing those lyrics, I realised you were writing your own poetic thoughts.
Bob Marley's son Ziggy has written a song, "Love Is My Religion," which seems to coincide well with "Homemade Religion." Thank you for stopping by and for the RL honour.
Sincerely
cab
15th Dec 2022 2:55pm
Yes, I wrote the comment before even going back and listening to the song, it's been a while since I heard it. ;) I was not aware of that song, it's great! I love the light hearted feeling of joy in the song. Very upbeat. Makes me want to go to the beach. Sorry it took so long to stop in again but I will try not to be a stranger. Sometimes it's a real challenge to read and comment which is sad.
19th Dec 2022 6:34pm
Outstanding and superb Cab. It's classic and reflective, gives us a lot to think about.
Awesome work.
Awesome work.
20th Dec 2022 3:01am
Thank you, Wally. I suppose every now and then one's pen takes one in a direction with spontaneous insights as by a will of its own. The muse is not always the sage, but the sage is, obviously, always the muse. I am happy to be the muse for, somewhere in my musings, the sage might find potential.
Thanks for the RL honour.
Sincerely
cab
Thanks for the RL honour.
Sincerely
cab
