Dancers in the Greenwood juke joint
Sweltered in the heat of August;
Smells of sweat and swells of music
Emanated from the windows.
Shadows roiled against the lamplight,
Writhing to the bluesman's rhythms
Like the demons from the crossroads,
Shifting shapes with seeming promise.
Shaking hips and roving eyes would
Lead to trouble with their lies, for
Fate had set its hand upon him:
Fate and strychnine and the liquor.

He set his course ten years before
Towards this day, towards this time:
A decade filled with travel, women,
Fancy clothes, an easy living,
Nothing like the old plantation's
Living death that he was heir to.
Robert Johnson knew that he was
Special, born for something greater.
If, sometimes, his heart grew jaded,
Expectations disappointed,
Liquor served to dull his sorrows;
Music soothed the hollow places.

Crossed guitars now mark the crossroads
Down in Clarksdale, Mississippi
Where in summer sweating pilgrims
Seek the ghost of Robert Johnson,
Jaunty-eyed and laughing easy,
With those long artistic fingers
Never meant for picking cotton.
As a teen he sought his fame in
Local juke joints where his heroes
Laughed at his too callow efforts.
Ridiculed, he disappeared to
Make, they say, a devil's deal.

He took his guitar to the crossroads.
In the dark, he waited, trembling,
Less afraid of Faustian bargains
Than an ignominious life.
Raging loud, he dared the devil
Take his soul in fair exchange
And let him play guitar so well
The other bluesmen would respect him.
Next time that he played in Clarksdale,
Mouths agape, his heroes watched,
Astonished at his new-found prowess,
Knowing they were overtaken.

At the age of twenty-seven
Robert Johnson played the circuit,
Played the juke joint outside Greenwood
In the Mississippi Delta,
In the height of Southern summer.
He was wiley, he was handsome,
Catching eyes of favored ladies,
Sliding smooth and talking smoother,
Chatting up the owner's woman,
Smiling like the very devil
'Till she brought the fateful bottle
Laced with husband's hate and strychnine.

"Never take an open bottle,"
Sonny Boy had once advised him;
Now, too late, Robert remembered
As the pain convulsed his stomach.
Packing his guitar he stumbled,
Felt the sweltering room spin 'round him;
Leaning on a friend's strong arm he
Staggered to his rented lodging.
Three long days he fought the demons,
Holding off the crossroads bargain
Clinging to his ravaged soul 'till
Finally poison overcame him.

They say the devil won't be cheated.
Fame and fate and foul flirtation
Took their toll on Robert Johnson,
Took his life at twenty-seven
Like so many who came later
Loving music he gave birth to,
Seeking their own fame and fortune;
Stars who shone for just a season,
Sultry voiced or clever-fingered,
Dying young for no good reason,
Falling prey to fame's bright poison,
Victims of the drug, the bottle.

Still the soul is not so fragile.
Music may survive the body
As it did for Robert Johnson
In those early, rare recordings:
Terraplane, Kind-Hearted Woman,
Dust My Broom, Sweet Home Chicago--
Songs that live beyond the graveyard,
Long beyond the Great Depression,
Altered tunings, Delta rhythms
Introducing generations
To the blues, the strong foundation
Underlying rock and roll.

Muddy sang them, Clapton, Dylan,
Rolling Stones and Chili Peppers,
Peter Green and Jimi Hendrix,
And ten thousand unknown players,
Bottlenecks perched on their fingers,
Knuckles gnarled from years of practice,
Soothing pain with shots of liquor
Mindless of the open bottle,
Crossroads bargains in their pockets
In the form of record contracts,
Hoping for a moment's magic
Catching Johnson's voodoo touch.

A century has come and gone
Since Johnson's Mississippi birth,
His rambling life remembered still
In hands that try to match his skill.
His songs are sung in English pubs,
In Tokyo bars, Chicago clubs,
In New Orleans, wherever those
Who play, or wish they could, might be
Seduced by blues ferocity.
The Crossroads bargain was in vain
For in the music's heart, its pain,
The greatest bluesman lives again.

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day when first we came,
our silver craft descending through
a fragrant, oxygen-rich brew,
the cloudy curtain torn in two
by tongues of orange flame.

Our origins are lost, unclear;
there's little that we know.
Our home was once a fruitful place
and we, a wise and peaceful race,
without the need to conquer space —
but that was long ago.

Our journey took millennia
at twice neutrino-speed.
Through countless galaxies we passed,
a fleet of vessels, sleek and vast,
a great invading force amassed
with my ship in the lead.

The humans gazed into the clouds
and trembled at our might.
They watched with wide and empty eyes
then fled, emitting nonsense cries
as our armada filled the skies
and blotted out the light.

From high above, we watched, aloof,
impassive as the stars.
The green and fertile fields that grew,
the crystal waters, clear and blue —
a world on which to build anew
would finally be ours.

***

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day when they arrived.
A foe from which we couldn't run,
whose creeping shadow hid the sun.
The day when order came undone —
the day when I survived.

I watched from my apartment
as I held my daughter, Eve.
I saw the news reports at three,
in terror for our family,
my little baby girl and me,
unable to believe.

"We don't know why they're here," some said,
but seeing them, I knew.
They hadn't come on holiday;
not visiting, but here to stay.
They came to take our world away
and steal our future, too.

My neighbors gathered, huddled
in the basement down below.
But there were some who climbed the stairs
with coolers, beer and folding chairs
up to the roof, as if on dares —
to watch the morbid show.

And holding Eve, I did the same
(much to my great surprise).
As up the narrow steps we filed
my babe in arms, my little child
looked up at me, so calm and mild,
with open, trusting eyes.

***

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day our strike began.
We set their dwellings in our sights,
their houses, farms, and city lights,
and felt we were within our rights,
for insensate was Man.

"Man operates on instinct,
without thought," our leaders swore.
"He can't know love, or fear, or pain.
His mind is like an insect's brain.
He's neither sentient nor sane,
just livestock, nothing more."

"Would you feel badly for a fly
you crushed beneath your heel?
Would you show mercy to a germ?
Shed tears for an expiring worm?
We've studied Man, and we affirm:
he cannot think or feel."

And so I took no pity
as we went about our chores.
At left and right I saw the flash
and heard the bowel-shaking crash
as structures fell to crumbling ash
by twos, by tens, by scores.

And then I fixed my crosshairs
on a rooftop just ahead,
and saw a female, straight as wire.
Amid the others, she stood higher.
I readied and prepared to fire ...
but then I paused, instead.

***

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day I didn't die.
The buildings trembled all around,
then fell with a horrific sound
to flaming rubble on the ground
and Eve began to cry.

Above us, massive, hulking,
the forbidding saucer loomed.
A reddish light spilled from its base;
this menace sent from outer space.
I felt it scan my upturned face
and thought that we were doomed.

Was this to be my daughter's end?
Was this to be our fate?
Would we prepare own attack?
Would we submit and fade to black?
Surrender meekly, or fight back
before it was too late?

I felt my daughter's tiny form,
so innocent and soft.
She held the promise of our kind.
I don't know what I had in mind
but raising up my arms, resigned,
I held my child aloft.

She was the only argument
that I could think to give.
Although I knew it made no sense,
I held her up as our defense,
presenting her as evidence
that we deserved to live.

***

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day when I awoke.
I saw that female standing there,
her infant held up in the air,
while all around her everywhere
was flame and ash and smoke.

No animal, no dumb unfeeling
germ was Humankind.
I saw her pain. I felt her fear.
Her mother's love was crystal-clear.
The lies that I'd been forced to hear
now echoed in my mind.

I thought of my own offspring,
seven-hundred sons and daughters.
Each one was precious — beyond worth.
They'd only known the ship since birth
and now they longed for homes on Earth
with its life-giving waters.

I won't allow our futures
to be built upon a lie.
I won't, when I can intervene.
I won't pretend not to have seen.
I won't be part of a machine.
I won't just let them die.

The message raced from ship to ship
(my children helped me there).
"Our presence here is wrong, unjust.
Our leaders have betrayed our trust.
It's all a lie, and now we must
resume our search ... elsewhere."

***

I'll tell you of that day of days —
the day when they moved on.
The joyous day of our reprieve;
the day I held my daughter Eve
and out the window watched them leave
like dreams before the dawn.

I sing of hearts of fire and wills of ice,
Of Taliesin pure of thought and deed.
A hero journeying 'cross land and sea -
And all across his wilderness of soul,
To find what burned and fired the hearts of man,
Emancipating from the great abyss
The ghosts and daemons past and still to come;
The beasts of magic, those both dark and light,
To part the earthly and empyreal.
A paladin between these worlds ensnared,
From dragon's blood and from his birth of fire
To tame the lands and hearts of men inspire.

So Taliesin pure of thought and deed
Stepped with his fellow knights into the fray;
Vainglory and a knight's renown to win,
For King and realm his honour did not sway.
With heart and zeal his comrades drew their foe;
With flash of arms the malediction poured
Onto the battlefield with malice bared.
And Taliesin drank with painful eyes
This sight, and spread his arms like giant wings,
Unfurled a cry emblazoned with his soul,
And drew the peerless Caledgwen his sword,
Both proud and bold and lethal as his word.

And hand to hand and sword on sword they fought;
Both sides, their gleaming armour blackened by
The fires and flames and thick torrents of hate
That flowed like molten ore of caustic frost.
But Taliesin pure of word and thought
He fought for liberty and motives just;
For those who'd taken him to heart and home.
With those he loved he battled side by side;
Fair Berwyn, pale of skin and brave of heart,
He graced the field of glory with his youth.
He duelled with ardent vigour not with hate,
From rival's sword a deathblow sealed his fate.

It was from midst the fray his eye was caught
And Taliesin pure of thought and deed
He saw fair Berwyn fall by equal's hand,
And swift of foot as sure as pure of heart
He caught fair Berwyn in his loyal arms.
And as he held the young man to his chest,
Their hearts beat now as one as all the warmth
Fell from the fallen hero's broken form.
And silently he laid upon the ground -
A lily flower amid a field of red.
A blackened wind bestilled his severed heart,
And now fair Berywn from this world did part.

Across the shattered lands a lithe wind blew
And with her came the sound of evensong,
But sorrow filled her heart and cut her soul;
For each life lost a sad lament that filled
The woods and groves where knights at last lay down
Their arms and rested weary limbs. And so
The vanquished sun did once again descend,
Defiling even-sky with blood of men;
Of fallen heroes - never to return.
And Arian of watchful memory -
She was the dancing breeze bequeathing sleep,
But Taliesin, he she left to weep.

And Arian of watchful memory
She whispered ancient tales upon the wind,
And Taliesin pure of word and thought
He let himself be drawn into her words.
"From deep within the Earth when time was young
Amid the burning wrath of spirits chained,
Where monsters in the darkness beat their wings,
And Dewi Lord of Dragons ruled the skies,
But bonds enslaved the creatures to the Earth,
And anger black and red it slowly burned
'Til beasts sought vengeance in the world of man,
And so a battle for the Earth began.

"And sword it clashed upon both sword and scale.
From deep within the creatures' wounded heart
Their cries of anguish pierced the blackened air.
The dragons wheeled with wing and wrath and flame,
But sons of man were cunning and were brave
And marched against once-graceful birds of fire.
The daughters of the deep felt mortal pain,
Already bound to Earthly fall and death.
Their numbers now could not withstand such loss
And wounded, battle-scarred and burned they made
Retreat unto the deep with broken wings
And left the Earth to man’s deceitful Kings."

And Arian of watchful memory
Breathed wakefulness into the hero's men.
With hearts alive with vainglory and pride
The knights, now rested, gathered round the flame;
A toast they raised to those they loved who fell,
And with their songs they kept those lost alive.
Then each knight took his turn to sing a song
Of who he was and what he’s seen and won -
Of contests, quests and of his luck in love.
Their stories told of lands both far and near
And fuelled with mead ran deep into the night
While moonshine filled the glade with silver light.

Then Taliesin pure of thought and word
Began a tale his comrades did not know.
His muse, the embers glowing in the fire,
And memories they tore from midst his soul:
"I wandered sometimes lonely as a cloud,
Of parents and of childhood I know not,
So filled with joy and wonder, hill and vale
Were home. I was a stag among the deer;
An eagle soaring high on outstretched wings.
'Twas from the Earth I drew my stock and strength,
The air she gave me light and hope and thought,
And fire she bestowed life and passions taught.

"And as I journeyed far and wide, the wind
Would whisper songs of joy and sad laments.
And when the frozen ground was hard as stone
A fire drove me on and warmed my soul.
The spirit on the wind, lithe Arian,
Encouraged me and taught me magic ways.
Unto her song I let her guide my path
And share the secrets of both man and beast.
My calm and peace of soul was shattered when
From on the black horizon flames and smoke
And cries of men they filled the tainted air.
The winged beast she’d been roused from magic's lair.

It came from deep entrenched beneath my heart
A call so primal echoing my soul;
Her savage wings laced with sinew and bone
They whirled and turned to face my icy will.
I felt the anguish in her heart, but quelled
For now her wrath and bid her make retreat.
And now, for once, I felt that I belonged
Into the hearts of King and people I
Was welcomed and this realm became my home.
Now as a knight my loyalties sway not -
A suit of mail and coat of arms I wear,
A champion for a Kingdom just and fair."

And Taliesin pure of thought and word
Fell silent now and watched the embers fade;
His comrades now lay back with heavy limbs
And Arian of watchful memory
Sweet lullabies she sang to bring them sleep.
The morning star was not the first to rise,
'Twas 'fore the crescent moon slid from the skies
That Taliesin slipped from cloak and mail
Into the rocky pool of water pure
And let the current wash his bloodstained limbs.
His eyes like emeralds reflected deep
His thoughts and woe, and Arian did weep.

His thoughts and deeds still played upon his mind
As from the pool now Taliesin rose;
His naked torso gleaming white beneath
The midnight sun, and diamonds tumbled from
His flaxen hair. It seemed all nature held
Its breath as Taliesin pure of heart
Stepped from the icy pool. A gentle breeze
Caressed his naked form, and Arian
Of watchful memory, she sang a song
Of legends old, of destiny and fate.
With heavy heart she sang what had been told
Of sacrifices of a hero bold.

"Beneath the mountains tall and lakes of fire
The race of dragons proud and strong remained,
But numbers few, their hearts were black with wrath,
So oft they'd been the prey of men in arms.
Into this dream-dark world a man was born;
A hatchling from an egg beneath the flames.
The wings and scales embraced his tiny form;
His alabaster skin reflected flames
From in the fire and in the dragons' dreams.
Unto the wind the creatures trusted him,
Of love and life and nature he'd be taught
And keep him pure of word and deed and thought.

"'Twas sung since time was young and men were bold
That one will come both pure of thought and deed,
Who born of magic stock and raised by man,
Would free those bound by chains to mortal realms.
It was this hero's fate to draw from stone
A sword of peerless justice, straight and true.
The destiny of peerless Caledgwen
Was written in the sands of time itself;
And though a man is free to choose his deeds
One pure of thought will end the suffering
Of spirit light and dark and magic beast
That in the darkness writhe until released."

And Taliesin pure of thought he wept
For then he realised that it was he
With whom this fate did lie to free from chains
The magic held beneath the fire and flames.
He looked at peerless Caledgwen his sword,
The one he trusted faced with any foe.
And deep within his reverie, his thoughts
Turned to the choice that lay for him ahead.
'Twas not so much the magnitude of quest
But what within his heart he stood to lose;
The spirits and the beasts they were his kind
A love like this again he would not find.

And Arian of watchful memory
She gently brought pure Taliesin sleep,
While over him she kept a careful watch.
And in his troubled dreams his princess came,
A spirit soul of magic like himself,
With wings of gossamer so delicate.
And to her words he let himself be drawn;
It was through her the hero saw his life.
And if the spirits were he to release
On Earth he'd spend eternity alone.
And now the wind was silent as she wept
As Taliesin pure of deed he slept.

And when the dawn had chased the moon and stars,
With songs of valour knights were set to ride
Back to the kingdom on their shining steeds,
It was with heavy heart the hero turned,
And Taliesin pure of word and deed
He bid the men, his brothers, safely home,
For it was fated now their paths would part.
The road he chose was not for fame or pride
And parting ways for all the men brought pain.
And under unfurled banners, red and gold,
'Twas to a noble welcome knights returned -
The hero's end the old King never learned.

So Taliesin pure of thought and deed
Was once again alone to make his way
Along a path not chosen by himself
To face the beasts and daemons yet unknown.
And mountain high and valley deep were not
An equal match for both his strength and soul.
And Arian of watchful memory
She whispered words of guidance on his way,
And when the darkness came she brought him hope
And in his fire she twirled and leapt and danced,
For Taliesin in the morn would face
The Lord of Dragons full of angry grace.

And Taliesin pure of deed and thought
He felt within his heart the end was near.
And once his eyes were closed he felt her touch;
She danced upon the wind and through his soul.
She was the one who held his soul to hers,
And it was her who filled his dreams; entwined
Her limbs and tender wings around his soul.
Into her pure and lucid eyes he fell;
Their spirit hearts they beat as one, he held
Her close and thought he’d never let her go.
But at first light of dawn the hero woke
Alone, and once again his heart was broke.

And Taliesin pure of thought and deed
With steely heart moved onward on his path.
The wind she lead him deep beneath the hills
And through the valleys deep and chasms wide,
Until the great abyss he had in sight
The fires that burned they echoed through his soul.
'Twas then the Lord of Dragons came in view,
As lethal looking as his massive size.
And Dewi Lord of Dragons, wings aloft,
His talons sharp, his eyes of piercing black.
And then his murmured words of soft address
While thoughts of wrath and dark he did repress.

"Since time was young and hearts of man were bold,
The Earth it bound in chains the magic pure
And tied unto this world the spirits free;
But bound to roam the Earth their hearts grew black
As smoke and fire and angry flames of wrath.
'Twas sung by bards one day the One will come
To break the bonds releasing light and life;
That with pure magic peerless Caledgwen
Would free enchanted beasts and spirits all.
Into the Otherworld the One must go
And break the bond between our world and theirs,
Released from unjust suffering and prayers."

Pure Taliesin knew what must be done,
And though the Great Abyss would swallow him,
He drew his strength from fire within his soul.
His partner in this quest was Caledgwen -
A sword of peerless justice straight and true.
He looked upon its blade reflecting light
And in it saw the flames that fired his heart.
With double edges sharp as lizards tongues,
And blue light glinting from its subtle curves,
Both swift and slender, lethal as his word.
With crosswise hilt ornate and sloping down,
From icy stone was drawn to win renown.

Into the chasm Taliesin stepped,
So pure of thought he balanced scales of life
And to the Otherworld took magic flight.
This realm was filled with shadows and half-lights -
And time it held no sway or meaning here.
The ghosts and spirits near and far they ached,
Both those who'd lived and those not yet begot.
In dazed bewilderment and overcome,
Pure Taliesin felt himself be drawn
To Kings and Princes, Warriors and Knights;
The mix of truth and lies he could not tell,
He was intoxicated by their spell.

And into view the spirits took their turn
With songs and names and tales of what life held.
The first was Bran the Blessed Raven King,
Then Bladud - man of magic on his wings.
'Twas Corineus next who Giants slayed;
And Grendel's slayer, Beowulf, he told
An epic tale of myth and magic too.
The noble Branwen rode upon her horse
And Hereward the Wakeful followed close.
Then Cuchulain declared, 'Behold me axe!'
The last was Arthur - once and future king,
Then Taliesin reeled and spread his wing.

And Taliesin pure of thought and deed
So deep into the Otherworld he fled,
His soul it seemed to shed its mortal form.
And as he slowed his thoughts began to burn,
Until on ice-cold ledge he found his foot.
And then at wingspread reach he spied the chains.
And Destiny she called for him to break
The bonds and free the past and future ghosts.
He drew his breath and raised his peerless sword
As Caledgwen cut magic mortal bonds;
He felt an empty space where once his heart
Had beat and loved but now was torn apart.

And mortal Taliesin made his way
Back from the Otherworld to light of day.
He saw the beast and dragons now take flight
Beyond the Earthly bones of land and sky.
The wind she danced, but in his heart she sang
No more, and now alone and lost he roamed;
In glade and wood he found no peace, and on
A black horizon, smoke and flames he saw.
The kingdom he once loved and called his home -
In one last flight the dragons had destroyed.
Among the ashes he stood in the rain
That washed away the tears and hid his pain.

Though ghastly was the sight as he looked out,
From deep within his thoughts he heard a song.
And mortal Taliesin raised his head
As Devin, the prophetic bard of old -
With eyes he could not see, but with his heart
He read the words emblazoned on men’s souls,
He told a tale of destiny and fate
Of Taliesin pure of thought and deed
Who journeyed down beneath the fires of Earth.
Emancipating future men and Kings,
He freed the souls of past to realms above,
But sacrificed his heart, his life, his love.

I. Journey

Energetic, young, and vibrant
Handsome, brave, and strong was he
Kissed his mother, hugged his dad, this
Mighty warrior-to-be

Teary-eyed, his mother cried,
"Be careful out there, Laslow, son
For nine long months my womb you filled
I need you back, my darling one"

Looking back, he saw the tear his
Father Lor could hide no more
From his lifelong home departed
Laslow on his way to war

Over hills and through a forest
Winding trails of dirt and stone
Picturing himself a hero
While he travelled thus alone

Days were spent in endless journey
Nights he lay 'neath moon and star
Dreaming of his future glory
In the conflict still afar

Weeks he travelled in this manner
Days of sun and days of rain
Each step fed determination
Enemies would soon be slain

II. Battle

One bright morning stared he from
A hill upon a battlefield
Joy burst forth; the day had come
'Twas time to bear a sword and shield

Eagerly he ran to join in
With the kingdom of his birth
Said he at his King's inception
"Vow I now to prove my worth"

With his sword and shield before him
To the fight he found his way
Battle cry upon his tongue
He joined into the bloody fray

Clash of swords and chink of armor
Laslow's arm flew left and right
With its sharp extension slaying
Enemies through day and night

Still he held his shield before him
Covered in the scarlet spray
That he'd freed from countless veins
Of enemies who died that day

As the sun went down before them
So too did their dying foes
All his comrades cheered and yelled
While Laslow struck a victory pose

Feasting, drinking, shoulder slapping
Aye, these tired men did grin
Laslow joined the celebration
As the stories did begin

Tales of valor, tales of conflict
Tales of mighty deeds and joy
Tales of losses giv'n and taken
Tales of Laslow, wonder boy

Soon the rowdiness died down
As weariness began to creep
Dragged they all into their beds
And fell into exhausted sleep

III. War

Morning came and still victorious
Laslow readied to depart
Took a step, and then looked up --
His way was blocked by Captain Hart

"That was but one battle, soldier
There will still be many more
Most the fighting's still before us
Go we now to meet the war"

Thus the day was spent in journey
Opposite to where he'd planned
Don't despair, for he was seeking
Hero-dom in all the land

So he marched with all the others
Climbing hills and crossing streams
Heading closer to the time when
He would live his glory dreams

Met he all the coming battles
With such fury did he fight
Victory was gloriously
Celebrated every night

IV. Fight

In one nightly celebration
Laslow saw a warrior
Getting rough with some fair beauty
As she headed for the door

"Halt!" our hero shouted to him
"Lay no hand on Maiden Fair"
When the soldier looked his way
He saw that Laslow sword did bear

The soldier leapt at Laslow then
Intent on silencing this boy
Alas for him, the boy was quicker
Laslow did his sword employ

As the soldier fell aground
The patrons of the inn did see
Young Laslow with his bloody sword --
Accused him of a murd'rous spree

"Verily I say to you
No murder was committed here
'Twas but defense as I attemtped
To protect the lady dear"

Silently, eyes scanned the gloom
But no fair maiden did they see
The lady had escaped the room
Now Laslow looked up pleadingly

Thinking on his battle valor
Some companions took his side
While some who knew the fallen's ways
Assumed he'd not in honor died

Many still believed him wrong, though
Both beliefs were spread around
When the war was finally over
Tales of Laslow did abound

V. Parade

By and by the troops arrived
Back in the kingdom's central town
They were taken through the streets
On wagons painted red or brown

A big parade! The people cheered
And music played and dancers danced
Laslow watched the boisterous crowd
While up ahead the horses pranced

Looks of shame and looks of wonder
Showed on faces he passed by
Was he villain? Was he hero?
Did they think his truth a lie?

Certainly he was a hero
But untarnished he was not
He enjoyed the adoration
But the boos he hadn't sought

Laslow sat and squared his shoulders
Shook off negativity
Ignoring jeers, he lauded in
Admiring perspicosity

VI. Maiden

Well anon he spied a lady
Fair of face with golden hair
As he passed, this beauteous vision
Stole his heart and drew his stare

Thought he back unto the day
When he, accused, did plead his life
This fair maid he recognized
As she he saved from unjust strife

At the big feast following
Among those sitting down to dine
Laslow saw off to his left
This young miss looking so divine

Flames of passion broiled within when
Laslow saw the maiden fair
Toss her hair and gaze upon him
As she rose up from her chair

"Laslow, sir, your deeds proceed you"
Spoke the lady's voice so fine
"Already I'm indebted to you
Please do call me Caroline"

Such wondrous word he'd never heard
Like sun and moonlight gave a sign
The world around him went away
For all he saw was Caroline

She offered up her hand to him
He took it now with special care
And held it to his lips to kiss
Surrendered then to Maiden Fair

From that day on, were they together
Walking always side-by-side
Talking, whisp'ring, laughing low
For this pair there was no divide

VII. Betrothal

Until, that is, a war broke out
A second conflict called his name
When duty called, he had to go
But not before he could exclaim

"Oh, Caroline, my Caroline
You fill my heart and soul, it's true
If you will wait for my return
I wouldst anon be wed to you"

With joy and sadness they betrothed
Their love proclaimed and spoken so
She vowed to wait forever more
He kissed her then and turned to go

So off to battle he did get
Though less intent than as a boy
And only did he (lesson learned)
On battlefield his sword deploy

The warrior was back again
Familiar weapons did he wield
His deeds were mightiest by far
Of all the soldiers in the field

VIII. Brother

But though he fought quite gallantly
There was a soldier who declared
That Laslow was no hero brave
And that his life should not be spared

This soldier was the brother of
The one who'd roughed-up Caroline
That fateful night when Laslow killed
In self-defense that dirty swine

One night young Laslow sat alone
While pondering the moon so bright
And thinking of his Caroline
Who watched the moon that very night

While Laslow sat there dreaming so
Of Caroline, his future wife
The soldier snuck up from behind
And tried to snuff out Laslow's life

"You killed my brother, now you'll die"
The soldier spat as knife he drew
And plunged it into Laslow's back
Then pulled it out, then plunged anew

Now Laslow, strong and brave was he
But down he went from this surprise
Though still, he fought back savagely
And did this soldier's death devise

His comrades heard the fight progress
And came to stop the deadly deed
Alas, they were not quick enough
For one was dead, and one did bleed

IX. Dying

They carried Laslow to his bed
And laid him down upon its plane
Then wrapped his chest in bandages
And gave him whiskey for the pain

Though witnessed none the fight that night
This time poor Laslow's name was cleared
For many knew the brother's claim
And of this deed, they long had feared

But even with no witnesses
That Laslow's wounds were in his back
Did prove that he in innocence
Had suffered unprovoked attack

Yet innocence would not him save
As Laslow slept with ragged breath
This brave young warrior no doubt
Would die a painful, unjust death

He made it through the night and then
The day that followed, though quite grim
And each day was miraculous
But time was running out for him

His fever rose, his pulse grew weak
All those around him saw that he
Was close to taking his last breath
So sent for Laslow's family

And even in his near-death state
He dreamt of lips like reddest wine
And summoning his inner strength
His own lips whispered, "Caroline"

X. Caroline

So came she by his my side one morning
Hov'ring o'er him like a bough
Damsel tears unleashed upon him
Maiden kisses on his brow

"Laslow, please," did she implore him
"Tell me that it's all untrue
What I've heard at hearth and table
That your death is coming due"

Of course, he didn't hear her calling
Couldn't feel her hold his hand
He only seemed to slip away
About to leave his life on land

"Ul-lu-lu, " cried his grieving mum
"Ul-lu-lu," cried the others there
"Ul-lu-lu," cried his golden maiden
As she stroked his sweat-soaked hair

"Laslow, I can't live without you
You are all I have on earth
Pledged my soul to you forever
Without you, life has no worth

"When you reach the life beyond us"
Spoke the maid with golden hair
"You'll need me to take care of you
I'll go first and greet you there"

Speaking thus, she grabbed his sword
And threw her chest upon its blade
As she slumped, strong hands did catch her
At his side her body laid

Laslow, lady, side by side
In peace they lay upon that bed
Caroline's life full expired
Laslow fading, not quite dead

XI. Recovery

Days went by, and Laslow lingered
Thus neglecting to decease;
Through funereal proceedings
Caroline now rests in peace

Came a day when Laslow woke
To find his true love gone for good
Had he had the strength to do it
Go with her, he surely would

Through the fall and into winter
Laslow's body slowly healed
Then pain of losing Caroline
Led him once more his sword to wield

With war behind him, Laslow went
To offer service to his king
The king most gratefully accepted
And Sir Laslow kissed his ring

XII. Knight

Knighted thus, Sir Laslow rode
Throughout the kingdom, keeping peace
Guarding all the land around
Less warrior now, more police

Then one day as the king was hunting
Lanslow rode up just in time
Saved the king from seven ruffians
Killed them all for their great crime

In a specialty proceeding
King bestowed upon this knight
The highest honor in the kingdom
Plus a medal shining bright

"Laslow, for your bravery
Because your valor saved my life
I now present to you my daughter
You may take her for your wife"

Such a wedding then did follow
Princess and her new-crowned prince
Such celebration in the kingdom!
Equaled not before or since

XIII. Prince

The princess so adored her prince
Her beauty he could not deny
But something kept him at a distance
Love her? He could not comply

His heart was buried with the girl
Who died to be his ever more
The girl he saved when celebrating
Victory during the war

One night he told his wife about her
Caroline with golden hair
How she died to take care of him
How he loved this maiden fair

Thus he broke the heart of one
Whose love for him in tears did shine
At once he vowed to put behind him
All his love for Caroline

He focused on his wife so dear
He put her needs above his own
Her heart grew warm with happiness
No longer did she feel alone

Yet in his dreams he saw a maid
With gleaming hair and flawless skin
In ghostly echoes she did call
Her voice so like a violin

He dreamt of holding her and calling,
"Caroline, oh Caroline
Come to me my own sweet darling
Kiss my lips while arms entwine"

Yet still he strove to be a husband
To the princess at his side
And kept his dreams unto himself
And by his vows he did abide

The years went by; he tried his best
As husband, prince, and former knight
In joyfulness he welcomed twins
And strove to always raise them right

One day in castle, called his wife
Her father's bedside bell did ring
They rushed and held his dying hand
That night Prince Laslow was crowned King

XIV. King

As king and queen they ruled the land
And peace and justice did prevail
Their twins, like Laslow, knights became
Patrolled the kingdom, hill and dale

Then came a day when Laslow ailed
His body was no longer young
And so this sickness would prevail
Until his final dirge was sung

His fevered head on pillow rolled
As whispers now escaped his lips
The words he spoke could not be heard
His waning breath did them eclipse

His loving wife leaned over him
Her ear placed by his lips so fine
She cried out at his dying breath
For his last word was "Caroline"

Behold the package on the counter; long, wide, and flat.
It looms menacingly with its husk of bubble wrap and tape.
None but the brave dare risk the riddle on the MAF stuck to it.
It is no ordinary package, nay, not ordinary at all.
It is a ferocious thing called an EXREP.

Shelling it is no challenge for the technician.
His hands strip away the plastic casing with practiced ease.
The serial number has been read and matched.
All panels, knobs, buttons, and screws are present.
Yellow ESD tape conceals the connectors at the back.

Naked now, exposed, the box is not so menacing.

A tool box has been assigned.
The presence of the tools in their slots verified.
The status in NALCOMIS says IW.
The Maintenance Action Form in work.
The battle begins.

Panels are removed from the sides and top.
Tape is removed from the connectors.
Laid bare for the world, the box is helpless.
It slides into the frame without protest.

Inside the box, a problem awaits.
The faulty component sits dormant.
Lurking, daring the technician to find it.
Waiting for the moment to strike and cause a failure.

The battle of wits begins with a book.

A technical manual is drawn from the shelf nearby.
It is a thick tome of knowledge.
In its pages are the steps necessary to find the fault.
Long pages, folded neatly, show the path of electricity.
The lines, symbols, and numbers outline a strategy for fault isolation.

Items required are listed.
A multimeter
An oscilloscope
A signal generator
A frequency counter
These are the weapons the technician uses to hunt down the fault.

He connects the box to the test set and applies power to the bench.
The equipment refuses to yield its secrets.
Frequencies are analyzed.
Functional checks are performed.
Still, the component will not give up.
It will not be found.

Voltages are measured.
Signals are displayed.
Pages in the tome are consulted.

He is closing in on his quarry.
The component knows it is doomed, yet will not yield.

A card is isolated.
Power is shut off and the connection broken.
He will not risk the component striking at him with electricity.
He extracts the card and replaces it with one from the bench.
The connector is locked in once more, and power applied.

The faulty component is concerned.
It cannot escape now.
There is nowhere to go, no way of causing further havoc behind which it may hide.
It can only wait now.
Its doom is imminent.

The technician removes power once more.
He has found the card.
The fight begins.
He uses the Huntron, a probe to check components.
It will reveal the path of the fault in the circuit, leading him to his prey.

Transistor, Q6, charred and smoky, blames Capacitor, C8.
C8, scorched and blackened, denounces D193.
Exposed now, Diode 193 can only wait for its removal and replacement.

Exultant, the technician consults his tome of knowledge.
He paints a white stripe of shame on D193.
D193 will be removed by the technician’s allies in Microminiature Repair.
The SDC will function once more.

Confident, the technician orders a new component.
He changes the status to WS.
Work has stopped for now.
He can do no more until the new diode, young and uncorrupted, arrives.
With a sigh, he removes the Sonar Data Computer from the bench.
His work is done for now.

He inspects his tools, accounting for each one.
A CDI inspects the drawer, signs for the tool box.
The technician looks to the next item.
An indicator, afflicted by a poor display awaits him, glaring balefully.
The screen is scorched and burned from use.

This battle won't be easily won.
The technician knows from experience that this will be fight to the last.
He knows the CRT’s retention gasket will not go on easily.
And he knows too that the magnetic rings will not calibrate willingly.

He sets the indicator in its place on the bench and arms himself once more.
His job will never be finished.
Electricity is his sworn enemy.
It corrupts, burns, and destroys components.
Electricity will never yield.
And the technician will never relent.

This is a war that will never end.
It is a story that will play out time and again.
Neither will win, neither will yield.

Strange tales too many years in the making
are long telling if begun too early,
So 'tis started if not at first cause, yet
not too near the end it will be.

Heroes the tales would have us believe it,
are born, complete with fate entangled life,
the truth is that they fall into the tale,
surprised as we by their own adventure.

One such came to camp tall and thin,
with an easy grin and easier hand
to set to the fetching of water or
the hewing of wood, if such was the need.

Aye, he could turn the toughest cut of meat
to the ambrosia that feeds the gods
and make of the bleakest grounds elixir
to soothe and wake those same sleepfilled divine.

Yeah, a hero must more that a cook be,
no matter the exquisite table set
or black gold poured into battered tin mug
Yes this is true, yet wait, the tale's but born.

This fair Nick while off on that business
that all mortals must attend in the woods
was set upon, quite so, right on his head
by a great bird that crowed and mocked his need.

Not to be trifled with he kept silent,
The first was joined by a second, then third
Yet still he kept his peace until zipped up
He snatched them down to marinade for lunch.

Yet another day he walked the gravel
seeking his rightful prey, that trod shy paths.
A fair doe stood and looked him in the eye
He froze for fear she'd flee and dinner lost

Yet she moved not, nor a muscle she twitched
He stood with foot betwixt one step and next
Neither moved though shadows danced and stretched
Until he shouted "Hey," and the doe fled

Down the trail she crossed in a bound yet stopped
to look back to see if he yet gave chase.
He ran forward almost as fleet as deer
Print for print he matched her through the dim woods
Trees and branches pulled and clutched at him
roots and holes tried to trip him and fell him
Yet as fleet as the deer he followed her
until the trees blocked out the least sunlight

Unfazed he ran on guided by the sounds
of the creature's passage through the forest
until in a glade of darkest midnight
he caught her fast and held her tight and strong.

The sound of her roar shook the very trees
Not a peaceful shy doe had he captured
but a great bear raging with tooth and claw!
Now for his life he must wrestle and win.

In that inky darkness they grappled on,
no mercy, no rest, no safety, no help.
The bear was cunning and swift to bite him,
yet Nick grasped its ears and gave such a twist

The bear bawled like a cub and tried to flee
still he held on till the beast cried "uncle"
and agreed to carry him back to camp
and wash the mountainous pile of dishes.

For a wondrous cook our hero might be
still he loathed dishwater and scrubbing plates
so he made that bear wash each pot and cup
till all the camp sparkled in the sunlight.

Rains came that night like Noah never saw,
yet froze by morning into thick hard sheets
cov'ring each tent tight and trapping inside,
our hero and his companions too.

Kicking or beating wouldn't break the trap,
so Nick cut through the floor and tunnelled out.
Those iced tents were the warmest ever now
that no wind, snow or rain could penetrate.

Riding now up hill and down mountain side
seeking the elusive game with antlers
broad and spiked high. This buck was too canny
to be caught by easy tricks or subtle blinds.

The horse Nick rode was a young and nervous
beast of black and white with wild eye and teeth
that nipped and bit, but nose of soft velvet.
Up he mounted and rode with conscious grace.
Then in the grass a mouse ran squeaking past
Little Joe, that coward bucked and ran,
Leaving our hero staring up at blue
and starry sky while he recalled his breath

Half back to camp Little Joe ran fleeing
from that tiny creature imagined harm.
Nick's companions caught the errant horse
and brought him back for Nick to mount again.

Once more they rode until spotting deer tracks
they turned to ride under black spruce and moss
that hung in ropes from high tangled branched,
A grouse lifted off with great beats of wing

Yet once more that wretched horse spooked and shied
and Nick flew to find that ground that must find
at the endings of their days, yet softened
by the deep green carpet laid down by time.

Again by his companions caught returned
head hung low and shamed by his feckless fright
Little Joe stood for Nick to mount again,
Nick whispered words that made the horse stand firm

Never again did Little Joe startle
to buck that young buck off his saddle,
They rode through woods and water and black mud,
Never did that beast lose heart or footing

Back at camp the companions asked him
What powerful words Nick spoke to calm that
nervous steed. "Tis simple our hero said,
If he won't carry me, I'll carry him.

No young one, horse or man would care to take
the derision from that embarrassment
He carried me through a much greater fear
Of being made a fool before his elders.

Now as the sun sets and coffee cups steam
Our hero and his companions rest.
Then sleep in tents of ice to hope to dream
What lies tomorrow beyond the next crest.

This story I’m telling is nothing but fact,
”˜bout a field trip I took, which had quite an impact.
One day to the game preserve we all went,
With a bus that broke down, its engine spent.
While on the other bus the students did stare
when they saw two happy horses ”“ a stallion and mare!

First up was a lecture about birds and such,
but the sight of owl droppings was just a bit much.
To the nature trail we next did go,
we had to be quick; we couldn’t go slow.
A thorn reached out and attacked a child;
the teacher thought the cut was mild.

Such was not the case, alas:
his ear was quite a bloody mass.
Quick as a wink she patched up the scratch
(”˜stead of one Band-Aid she used the whole batch).
That thorn had been busy, for then it did fly
to land in a volunteer parent’s eye.

Quite calmly she extracted the thorn then and there
with the tweezers a parent offered to share.
Then into the stream the students did wade
(the smartest of parents stayed in the shade).
The students found all manner of fauna.
(thank goodness the stream was bare of piranha).

Flatworms, leeches and larvae abounded.
(But t’was the mud on the children that left one astounded!)
Against all this nature one child did fight,
used a whole can of bug spray so no bug would alight!
Then after a lunch eaten quick, one, two, three,
It’s back on the nature trail, more animals to see.

With less than an hour, what’s a person to do?
We skipped half the animals to be seen in the zoo.
The gift shop, the last stop, we must not miss
for children need a souvenir of a day such as this.
Then back on the buses and back to the school
as field trips go, this one was a jewel!

The Kingdom of Heaven
Is like unto leaven
A woman took and hid
In three measures of meal
So the whole was leavened

That it might be fulfilled
Which was spoken
By the prophet of old
I will utter those things
Kept secret from the world...

Forasmuch as
Many have taken
[In hand] to set forth
In order of declaration
Of those things that are
Most surely believed
Even as they delivereth
Them unto us which
From the beginning
Were eye~witnesses and
Ministers of the Word
That thou mightest
Know the certainty of those
Things wherein thou hast
Been instructed according
To the custom of the
Priests incense...

When the multitude
Were praying

There appeared
An angel of the Lord

the priest, Zacharias

[in the order of Abia];

And his wife, Elizabeth,
[Of the Daughters

Of Aaron];

Were both righteous
Before God,
Walking in the
Commandments
And ordinance.

It came to pass
While in priests office
In the order

Of his course.

Elizabeth conceived
And hid herself
Saying thus hath
The Lord dealt
With me in the days
Wherein He looked
On me to take away
My reproach among men.

In the beginning
Was the Word

And the Word
Was with God

And was God
In whom was life
And the life

Was their light

Which shineth in...

And the darkness
Comprehended it not...

There came one
Sent from God
Whose name was John
To bear witness of
The true light
And the Word
Was Made flesh
And dwelt among us.

Drinking no strong
Drink or wine
But filled with the
Holy Ghost
Even from the womb.

Thou shalt have
Joy and gladness
Many shall rejoice
Go before Him
In the Spirit
And power of Elias
Turn the hearts
Of the Fathers
To the children
And the disobedient
To the wisdom
Of the just
Who shall be great
Make ready a people
Prepared.

Perform the
Merciful promise...
Remember Holy Covenants~
Thou can and shall
Have joy and gladness
Many shall rejoice at this

God scattered
The proud in the
Imagination
Of their hearts
Put down the mighty
From their seats
Exalted them of low degree
Spake by the mouth
Of holy prophets
Which have been
Since the world began

That we should be saved
From the hand
Of all who hate
To perform the
Mercy promised
To remember
Holy Covenants
Being delivered
Without fear
In holiness
And righteousness
All our days.

Thou, child,
Shall be called Prophet
Of the Highest...
Go before the Lord
Prepare His ways
Give knowledge
Of salvation
By remission of sin
Through the tender
Mercy of our God...
Whereby the day~spring
From on high
Hath visited
And given light
To them that sit
In darkness [yet]
And shadow of death
To guide our feet
Into the way of peace...

The Kingdom of Heaven

Suffereth,

And the violent

Try in vain

To take it by force

In the land of the
Shadow of death among
Dwellers in darkness
A great light springs
As a star from the East
Exceedingly rejoice
There comes a governor
By way of the sea
Emmanuel is with us!

The persecuted,

For righteousness' sake

Are blessed with
The Kingdom of Heaven~
It is theirs...

Blessed are ye
When reviled or accused,
And falsified evil

Said against you.

Rejoice and be

Exceeding glad;
For great is your

Heavenly reward,
Like the prophets before;
That it might be fulfilled
Which is spoken
By the prophet saying
My mouth will open
Of the Beloved in whom
My Spirit is well~pleased.
Behold my servant
Whom I have chosen...

In parables,

I utter things
Kept secret [ever since]
The foundation

Of the World!

I thank thee

Of Heaven and Earth
Thou hid these things from
The seemingly prudent
And self~serving "wise"
To reveal them unto babes...

Even so...

Behold...
I send my messenger today
Which shall prepare the way
From the days of the Baptist

For all the prophets
And law prophesied
Concerning the Baptist
It's written in the Book
If ye labor heavy~laden
Come unto the one
Who gives you rest...
Oh lost of heart
Ye shall find rest
Unto your souls
Take my yoke and learn
I am lowly and meek
Yet my burden is light...

For all the prophets
And the Law prophecied
Until John...
If you will receive it
This is Elias which
Was for to come...

He that hath

Ears to hear
Let him hear it!

The child

Grew in Spirit

Waxing strong

In the desert
Until the day
Of showing.

An Angel from God

Was sent

Unto Nazareth

City [of Galilee]

To a Virgin

Espoused to Joseph

Of the house of David.

The Virgin named

Is Mary.

The angel that came

Into her said;

Hail that thou art

Highly favored

Among women.

Fear not,

For thy favor

Is found...

Blessed is she

Who believed

What she heard

[from the Lord]

Those things told

Shall be performed.

Behold, I am

The Hand~Maiden

Of the Lord.
Be it unto me
According to the word.
my Spirit hath rejoiced.

My Soul

Will magnify the Lord

Shepherds
Abiding in the field
Kept watch
Over their flocks
When Lo! the angel
Came upon them
And his glory shone
'Round about...

He said
Fear not
For behold

I bring
Good tidings
Of great joy
Which shall be
To all people
For unto you
Is born today
A Savior
[In the city
Of David] which is
Christ the Lord...

The shepherds
Guarding flocks
Followed a star
From the East
To the babe
Who was born
In the night
Among the beasts
In a manger...
They fell down
In worship with
Joseph and Mary
The Mother...

Unto us is born a Savior

[Which is Christ the Lord]

Great joy shall be to all

The shepherds

Opened treasures

Presented him

Gifts of gold,
Myrrh & frankincense.

Suddenly
With the angel
Was a multitude
Of Heavenly Host
Praising the glory
Of God in the highest.

Good will...
And on Earth peace!

When the star was seen
It was made
Known abroad
The saying told
Concerning this child.
They that heard
Wondered...

Mary kept and pondered
These things
In her heart~

Simon ~of Jerusalem~
Was devout and just
With the Holy Ghost
Upon him was revealed
He would not
See death before
He had seen the
Lord's Christ
As he came by the Spirit
In the temple
The parents came in
With the child
To do for him
After the custom
Of the law.
Then took he him
Up in his arms
And blessed God.

Now let thou
Thy servants
In peace depart
According to thy word...
For my eyes have seen
Thy salvation prepared
Before all...
A light to lighten
And the glory
Of thy people
That the thoughts
Of many hearts
May be revealed...
They opened their treasure
Presenting their precious
gifts once more.

He was often found
In the temple sitting
Amidst doctors
Both hearing
And questioning
Asking for answers
All that heard
Were astonished
At his understanding.

How is it that
They sought him wist
They not know he must
Be about his
Father's business?

From that time he
Began to preach...

Repent...
For the Kingdom
Of Heaven
Is at hand...
Follow...
And I will make you
Fishers of men.

To the poor in Spirit
The Kingdom of Heaven
Them that mourn
Will be comforted
The meek shall
Inherit the Earth...
They shall be filled
And blessed
Who do hunger
And thirst
After righteousness

All the people
That heard
Justified God
Being baptized
With the Baptism of John.
Now the parable is this
The seed is
The Word of God

But some rejecting,

Bringing the council

Of God

Against themselves;

Being not baptized.

To obtain mercy
The merciful be blessed
God shall be seen
By the pure in heart
Blessed are peace~makers
For they shall be called
The children of
[The living] God...
As you go
Preach the Kingdom
Of Heaven
Heal the Sick
Cleanse the lepers

Cast out devils
Raise the dead!

Freely give for
Freely ye have received
Who shall not
Receive you or
Hear your words...
When you depart
Shake off the dust
Behold I send you forth
As sheep
In the midst of wolves
Be ye therefore
Wise as serpents
And harmless as doves
Let return your peace
Blessed is he who
Shall not be
Offended in me...

And it came to pass,

When Jesus made an end

Of commanding

Twelve disciples,

He departed thence

To teach and preach

In their cities.

Now when John had heard

[in the prison] the works

Of Christ, he sent

Two of his disciples,

And said unto him,

John Baptist hath
Sent us unto thee
Art thou he
That should come
Or look we
For another [one]?
As they departed,

Jesus began to say

Unto the multitudes,

Concerning John;

What went ye out into

The wilderness to see?

A reed shaken

With the wind?

But what went ye

Out for to see?

A man clothed

In soft raiment?

Behold they that

Wear soft clothing

Are in kings' houses.

But what went ye

Out to see?

A prophet?

yea, I say unto you,

More than a prophet.

For this is he,

Of whom it is written,

Behold, I send

My messenger

Before thy face,

Which shall prepare

Thy way before thee.

Go your way
And tell John
The things you have
Heard and seen
How [the] blind see
And the lame walk
Lepers are cleansed
And the deaf hear
The dead are raised.
To the poor
The gospel is preached
For this is of whom

It is written behold!
I send my messenger
Which shall
Prepare thy way
Among them
Born of women
There hath not risen
A greater one.

The Lord said

Whereunto then

Shall I liken

This generation?

They are like children

Sitting In the marketplace,

Calling out

To one another;

We have piped unto you,

Ye have not danced.
We have mourned to you,
And ye have not wept.

The Baptist

Came neither eating

The bread,

Nor drinking wine.

{Who you think

Has a devil?}

The son of man

Is come

Eating & drinking.

You say, behold

A gluttonous man,

Wine~bibber & friend

Of sinner & publican.

But Wisdom is justified

Of her children.

Unto you it is given

To know the mysteries

Of the Kingdom of God.

From the days

Of John the Baptist

Until now;

The kingdom of heaven

Suffereth violence;

The violent

Take it by force.

For all the prophets

And the law

Prophesied until John.

And if you will

Receive it,

This is Elias

Which was

For to come,

He that hath

Ears to hear,

Let him hear.

By thy words

Thou shalt be justified~

By thy words

Shalt be condemned.

It was said

By some,

John was risen

From the dead

And by some,

Elias had appeared;

And of others

One of the old

prophets was risen again.

As he prayed,

The fashion

Of his countenance

Was altered.

[His raiment

White & glistening]

It came to pass

Peter said unto Jesus;

Master it is good

For us to be here?

Let us make

Three tabernacles:

One for Thee,

Then one for Moses,

And one for Elias.

[Not knowing

What he said]

There came a cloud

That over~shadowed

And they feared

As they entered.

Then there came

A loud voice;

This is my beloved son;

Hear him...

When the voice was past

Christ was found alone.

Blessed are they

Who are not offended

For the son

Of man has not come

To destroy lives of men

But to save them.

Heal the sick.

Say unto these the

Kingdom of God

Is come nigh.

A laborer is worthy

Of his hire.

Rejoice not that spirits are

Subject to you.

Rather rejoice

Your names

Are written in Heaven.

Blessed are the eyes

That see

These things you see!

Many prophets & kings

Have so desired
To see, to hear
Yet have not heard.

But to others in parables...

That seeing,

They might not see

And hearing,

Might not understand.

In an honest good heart

Having heard the Word

Keep it & bring forth

Fruit with patience.

Take heed how you hear.

I send you to preach

The Kingdom of God

As well~ the sick to heal.

They departed,

Through streets

Of the towns

Preaching the gospel

And healing everywhere.

Physician, heal thyself.

Ye are the salt of the earth.

Wherewith shall it

Have lost its savor?

Good for nothing henceforth

But to be cast out &

Trodden under~foot?

Ye are the light

Of the world.

A city set on a hill

Cannot be hid.

Let your light

So shine before men

That your good works

Can be seen &

Glorified be

Our father in Heaven.

He that gathereth

Not with me, scattereth...

Blessed are they

That hear the word of God

And keep it.

If thy whole body

Be full of light,

Having no part dark~

The whole

Shall be full of light.

When he had come

Down from a mountain,

Great multitudes followed.

Lord if thou wilt

Canst thou make me clean?

Jesus put forth his hands

And touched them.

I will ~ Be thou clean ~

Go thy way &
As thou hast believed
So be it done.

Go in peace ~

Be not afraid ~

Only believe.

Daughter be

Of good comfort.

Thy faith hath

Made thee whole.

Give place

For the Maid

Is not dead

But sleepeth.

Believe me

That I am able

To do this?

They laughed

Him to scourn ~

The people

Making noise but

But He went in &

Took her by the hand.

The Maid arose

And the fame hereof

Went abroad

Into all that land ~

She had suffered

Many things of

Many physicians.

Well hath Eshia

Prophecied of

You hypocrites.

As it is written;

The people honoreth

Me with lips
But there heart is far.

Whosoever be

Angry with another

Without cause

Shall be in danger

Of being judged.

Whoever shall act

To teach them ~

The same will be

Called great

In the Kingdom.

Love your enemies ~

Bless them

That curse.

Do good to them

And pray ~

Give to whom

Asketh and

Turn not away ~

Be therefore perfect.

In alms~giving

Do not sound

The trumpet

Before you

As the hypocrites

In the street

For the glory of men

They have their reward

When thou prayest

Be not therefore

Like them.

Forgive as ye fast ~

Be not as hypocrites

Of a sad countenance

Disfigure their faces.

Anoint thine head;

Wash thy face

When ye fast.

Thine alms may be

in secret yet

Rewarded openly.

Don't be as they

that love to pray

On corners

Just to be seen ~

Use not vain

Repetitions

As the heathen

Who think

they will be heard

For so much speaking ~

Repetitions

Are in vain.
Your father knoweth
Before you ask him.

You have taken away

The key of knowledge.

Ye entered not in;

Hindered them entering.

Over you~

who made me

A judge or divider?

Take heed

And beware

Of covetousness.

A man's life consisteth

Not in the abundance

Of that which

He possesseth.

Neither be ye

Of doubtful mind.

Seek the Kingdom &

All these things
Shall be added.

In giving alms

sell what you have

Provide yourself bags

Which wax not old~

Treasure

In the heavens

That faileth not~

Neither moth

Nor dust corrupt.

Where your treasure is,

There will be

Your heart.

Thou shall

Be recompensed

At the resurrection

Of the just.

Rejoice with me,

For I have found

The piece

Which I had lost.

There is joy

In the presence

Of the angels of God

Over one sinner

Who repents.

Lay not up

Treasures on Earth

Where thieves

Break in to steal.

For where

Your treasure is

There will your

Heart be also.

Give not that

Which is holy

Yo the dogs

Neither cast

Your pearls

Before swine.

Seek righteousness first.

All these things

Shall be thine.

Ask & it shall be given ~

Seek & find.

Knock & you

Shall be opened unto.

Straight is the gate

And narrow the way

That leadeth unto life.

All things you would

Want done unto you

Do for them ~

This is the law.

At the straight gate

Enter ye in for

Broad is the way

That leadeth

To destruction

Many which go in

Thereat ~ Beware

Of false prophets ~

Wolves they be...
In sheep's clothing.

Think not

That I come

To destroy the law;

Not come to destroy

But to fulfill!

To the ends

Of Heaven & Earth

Nothing shall pass

From the law.

Til all be fulfilled ~

Whoever breaks

The least commandments

And Teaches it to them

Shall be called

The least In Heaven.

Depart from me

Ye that work iniquity.

Whoever heareth & doeth,

I will liken

Unto the wise man;

built his house

Upon the rock.
Floods came ~
Winds blew & beat
Yet it fell not.

Wherefore ~

By their fruits

Ye shall know them.

Do they gather

Grapes of thorns?

Whosoever hears

These sayings

And doeth them

Will be likened

Unto a wise man.

One that heareth

And doeth them not

Unto a foolish fallen one

who built his house

Upon sand.

People were astonished

At his doctrine

Taught as one

Having authority;

Not as the scribes

Around him

Offer a gift.

For a testimony ~

Go thy way & as

Thou hast believed

So be it

Done unto thee.

Why are ye fearful,

Oh ye of little faith?

He arose & rebuked

The winds of the sea.

There was

A great calm & they

marveled at what

Manner of man

This was that
Even winds
And the sea obey?

The queen

Of the south

Shall rise up

In the judgment

Of this generation

To condemn;

For she came from

The uttermost parts

Of the Earth

To hear the wisdom

Of Solomon &

Here is one

Greater than him.

Touched he their eyes &

Their eyes were opened.

[See that no man know it]

Teaching

In their synagoguesl

Preaching the gospel ~

Healing every sickness

And disease

Among the people.

According to your faith

Be it unto you.

The harvest

Truly is plenteous

But the laborers are few.

The Kingdom of Heaven

Is at hand.

Heal ~ Cleanse ~

Raise the dead.

Cast out devils ~

Freely ye have received.

Now freely give.

[They said] Master,

We forbade someone

To cast out devils

In thy name;

For with us

He foll[ow]eth not along!

Wilt thou we

Command fire come down

To consume them?

Forbid him not.

For he that is

Not against us

Is for us &

Is on our part
Ye know not
What manner
Of spirit
Ye are of.

Oh faithless

And perverse generation

How long

Shall I suffer you"

There arose a reasoning~

Which should

Be the greatest.

Perceiving the thought

Of the heart,

The Christ took a child

And set by him,

Saying unto them;

To receive this child

In my name

Is to receive me,

Which Is to receive

Him that sent me.

For he that is least

Among you all;
The same shall be great.

In parables I utter things
Kept secret [ever since]
The foundation of the World

I thank thee

Of Heaven and Earth
Thou hid these things from
The seemingly prudent
And self~serving "wise"
To reveal them unto babes...

Why trouble the woman?

She has wrought

A good work upon me.

Wheresoever this gospel

Be preached

In the whole world

There shall {also}

This be told of her

For a memorial.

They are [so] careful

And troubled

About many things but

One thing is needful...

Mary hath chosen

That good part

Which shall not be taken

Away from her.

Lord teach us to pray as

John also taught

Disciples to say

Our Father

Which art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done on Earth

As it is in Heaven.

Give us day by day our bread

Forgive our sins as we forgive

Those indebted to us.

Lead not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

Thine is the Kingdom
The power & glory forever.

Wherefore think ye

Evil in your hearts?

Follow me...

They that be whole

Need not a physician,

But they that are sick.

Go ye & learn

What this meaneth;

I will have mercy &

Not sacrifice.

I am not come

To call the righteous

But sinners

To repentance ~

If thine eye be evil

Thy body be Full
Of darkness.

If thine eye be single

Thy whole body shall

Be full of light.

Behold ~

The bridegroom cometh.

Go ye out to meet him &

They that are ready, go in.

Hurry to the marriage

Before the door is shut~

That thou mightest know

The certainty

Of things wherein

Thou hast been instructed.

Whereunto shall we liken it,

The Kingdom of God;
Or with what comparison iken?

The realm of Heaven

Is like a certain king

Which made a marriage

For his son...

Sent forth servants

To call them

That were bidden &

The invited ones

Did not come.
The wedding is ready but

They were not worthy.

Go ye therefore

Into highways & byways.

As many as ye shall find

Bid to the marriage come.
Many are called
But few [have] chosen.

This is the Lords doing &

marvelous [in our eyes].

Lord teach us to pray as

John also disciples taught.

Repent: for Heaven

is at hand.
The Kingdom of Heaven
Is like unto leaven...

The cornerstone which

the builders rejected?

The same has become

The head.

~ by Barbara Kim Thigpen ~

Five thousand soldiers on my side,

ten thousand against my side,

they might have more,

but our less is a more,

as we have spilled blood for the gods,

and all the blood we spilled will end today.

This is our prestige, our legendary ending,

the gods wanted it this,

therefor this is what they would get,

the final spill of rotten human blood!.