Lines written Extempore, on receiving, in the month of December, a Gift, a Token of memorial and of sweet and tender care, shocking in its lovely Unexpectedness; here presented after minimal Fussing.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Timothy 1:7
Small and stupid words fighting out which among them shall be first to abase and embarrass itself here.
"Thank" and "you" won the first heat. As they so often do. Though predictable to the point of mundanity, their unfailing leadership not all bad, especially as "you" does so much heavy lifting and can stand in so very many places at the same time. The others murmur and protest, jostle for a standing in the line. "Love" and "this" vied to run next, but "you" is fighting fiercely to displace "this," and it's not looking good for the impersonal pronoun. As was said, "you" wants to be everywhere. Is everywhere, these days. "Broken" has simply enjoyed too much face time of late, as has "smiling", hence they are no longer taken seriously; "laughing" and "crying" have lost credibility in precisely the same way. In a canny bid for power, "humbled", a relative newcomer, has joined a coalition formed by "to", "the", and "dust" and is making great strides, intending to hold its ground. "Wow" has raised its great, silly head, wagging senselessly and shamelessly as the others turn away; even small and stupid words are mortified by "wow" 's antics. "Wow", the blissful mutt of the word world, notices nothing, happy in the frolic, spreading affection, hair, confidence, saliva and a deep, doggy contentment in equal measure. Vapid hasty "repay" jumps up and down, stamping tiny insignificant feet, insisting on its spotlit moment. Long-time heavy weight "never" has come silently and somberly to stand in front of "repay", lending the upstart both credibility and stability. While no one could ever speak out against "never", still, most of them cannot fathom how "repay" fancies itself a player in such a weighted conversation. "Debt," perhaps, "undying", certainly, arguably even "slave". But "repay"? The very notion. "Repay" looks to "you" for backing, relying on the unprecedented surge in importance and popularity the second person pronoun has recently enjoyed; "you", however, is looking firmly off in another direction, entranced by the graceful stance and wistful vulnerability of "need". What a power-pairing that would be, hmm? "Moved" is, well, all over the place, chasing after "deeply", and even considering such unlikely couplings as "irrevocably" (not strictly a member of the small word club) and "heartstoppingly"(worse and worse). These are such oddball efforts ("heartstoppingly" not even being a fully formed word, only some sort of bastard offspring) that "moved" is fading out of the running, despairing of support. "Shy" stands alone, at once miserable and pleased, never courting favor but always strongly supported by the crowd, not that "shy" would notice the crowd. Ah, "now" has offered to back up "shy". Fat lot of good that will do, though it is a noble effort. But then, "now" is always impatient. And here, at the end of it all, comes a dark horse, taking the lead in great, ground-eating strides! "Unworthy" crosses the line, the winner by a whisper, barely outpacing "joy". "Joy" will take it next time, wait and see if it doesn't (though how "joy" fell among this crowd is one of the mysteries). Yes, the smart money is on "joy" for the future.
Which leaves "I", lonely and unhappy, for what can "I" do without "you"? Bring "need" here to lie soft between, so "you" will settle, and "I" can slip into place, into the place that feels like home.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest.
2Timothy 1:8-10
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Timothy 1:7
Small and stupid words fighting out which among them shall be first to abase and embarrass itself here.
"Thank" and "you" won the first heat. As they so often do. Though predictable to the point of mundanity, their unfailing leadership not all bad, especially as "you" does so much heavy lifting and can stand in so very many places at the same time. The others murmur and protest, jostle for a standing in the line. "Love" and "this" vied to run next, but "you" is fighting fiercely to displace "this," and it's not looking good for the impersonal pronoun. As was said, "you" wants to be everywhere. Is everywhere, these days. "Broken" has simply enjoyed too much face time of late, as has "smiling", hence they are no longer taken seriously; "laughing" and "crying" have lost credibility in precisely the same way. In a canny bid for power, "humbled", a relative newcomer, has joined a coalition formed by "to", "the", and "dust" and is making great strides, intending to hold its ground. "Wow" has raised its great, silly head, wagging senselessly and shamelessly as the others turn away; even small and stupid words are mortified by "wow" 's antics. "Wow", the blissful mutt of the word world, notices nothing, happy in the frolic, spreading affection, hair, confidence, saliva and a deep, doggy contentment in equal measure. Vapid hasty "repay" jumps up and down, stamping tiny insignificant feet, insisting on its spotlit moment. Long-time heavy weight "never" has come silently and somberly to stand in front of "repay", lending the upstart both credibility and stability. While no one could ever speak out against "never", still, most of them cannot fathom how "repay" fancies itself a player in such a weighted conversation. "Debt," perhaps, "undying", certainly, arguably even "slave". But "repay"? The very notion. "Repay" looks to "you" for backing, relying on the unprecedented surge in importance and popularity the second person pronoun has recently enjoyed; "you", however, is looking firmly off in another direction, entranced by the graceful stance and wistful vulnerability of "need". What a power-pairing that would be, hmm? "Moved" is, well, all over the place, chasing after "deeply", and even considering such unlikely couplings as "irrevocably" (not strictly a member of the small word club) and "heartstoppingly"(worse and worse). These are such oddball efforts ("heartstoppingly" not even being a fully formed word, only some sort of bastard offspring) that "moved" is fading out of the running, despairing of support. "Shy" stands alone, at once miserable and pleased, never courting favor but always strongly supported by the crowd, not that "shy" would notice the crowd. Ah, "now" has offered to back up "shy". Fat lot of good that will do, though it is a noble effort. But then, "now" is always impatient. And here, at the end of it all, comes a dark horse, taking the lead in great, ground-eating strides! "Unworthy" crosses the line, the winner by a whisper, barely outpacing "joy". "Joy" will take it next time, wait and see if it doesn't (though how "joy" fell among this crowd is one of the mysteries). Yes, the smart money is on "joy" for the future.
Which leaves "I", lonely and unhappy, for what can "I" do without "you"? Bring "need" here to lie soft between, so "you" will settle, and "I" can slip into place, into the place that feels like home.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest.
2Timothy 1:8-10
Oh I love this! The shimmering of these words flickering into meaning. Tour de force, Suzanne! This is good.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift. And your post - a lovely gift to the giver and to the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Effort not oddball.
brilliant. you.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading this post I remembered a time when
ReplyDeleteall eight of my family were walking on the beach at Normandy. Andrew was four and picked up and interesting stone. It looked just like a heart. He said "I love you Mom" and held it out to her as a gift. I found the stone on her dresser a few months ago.
I am glad you received a good gift.
At the moment I can't think of anything more beautiful than a loving gift truly received.
ReplyDelete