(Roe, Paul)*
The greatest pilgrimage, reserved for each
who’s ever had the chance to live on Earth
(that’s under heavens, over land or sea),
should occupy some time and thought.. since birth…
At least we model it, as Jesus spoke
of having naps or sleep (like ev’ry night).
A portion of each day*, we find each bloke
or sheila loses consciousness, all right?
Then, we are not “in charge”... not “calling shots”;
or if we do, most sane folk will ignore
the words we say. What acts we do are lots
less able to be blessing others, for
we’re not attending well to things around,
not able to participate down here.
That's not to say that no story has found
us, will not carry us, till we appear
- back here, on waking up again; or else,
as we might learn from this symbol each day,
- in bigger, smaller, dream-time. Better health’s
an oft repeated blessing either way.
For even this small symbol helps itself
(not meaning on its own, to take away,
but though this life’s a given thing), our health
will often turn within our sleep. We pray
for symbol to be quite fulfilled at last..
To die within a restful sleep seems best
to many folk - that’s even who live fast
and furious. I’m curious to rest.
And I think Paul the row-er ’cross that stream,
(not on his own no more, but) spirit’ed
within the Dreamtime Jesus said had beamed
into this world, will not be really “dead”.
Except to this “ol’ way” where we adore
the spirit of compet’iveness, & “seize”
on what’s not melody; but something for
the sporting field, the game - with boundaries.
Remains - the rest of peace, in hands well proved,
who sides with keeping one’s own word, & trusts
the word of that creative love which rooved
this “home”, protecting little ones of dust.
But not to stop adventures! Not at all!
- to snip that mortal coil - umbillical,
and learn to live quite partnered, standing tall,
and seeing God (which is quite biblical)..
..and knowing him who is, Pa Excellence -
the biggest Dad-Joker around the place,
this won’t be just an inconvenience*,
but what his life’s equipping him to face.
Notes underfoot
)*- another subtitle possibility is "like father, like son"
y* - An eighth (3hrs) to a third (8hrs) of most days, most humans “fall asleep” into unconsciousness. Many have learned to look forward to it, as a time of refreshment.
e* - recalling G. K. Chesterton’s quip that went something like “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” [1]
his life - obviously means “all his life up to (& including) now”; but with Paul there is another metaphorical (& metanarratival) meaning as well; as when his namesake, Jesus Christ’s Apostle (=Ambassador), Paul wrote in the First Century, to a motley crew (including slaves) of new Jesus followers in the provincial Roman town of Colossae: “When Christ, who is your life, appears…” (Col 3:4)
1st Draft Audio recording of a reading of the text above.
