TODAY WE RE-VISIT LINE MESSAGING:
In LINE MESSAGING poetry, the final line of each stanza may be compiled to create an entirely new poem with its own independent message (a poem within a poem). It appears there are no rules for number of stanzas, or rhyme scheme. This form was created by Angel Favazza.
See Shadow Poetry for more on LINE MESSAGING
SARA’S MESSAGE:
AS I CONTEMPLATE SURGERY
Ponder truth of genetics,
with age, clarity comes.
Dad referred to himself
as Bionic man, both hips replaced
An arthritic neck had him
bent and stooping
as he tried to walk. Ever athletic
his speed was greatly curtailed.
Handball games, bicycle rides,
long walks across the beach,
arms cutting like sharpened knives
through the pool–he loved to swim.
His daughter is due up next,
a hip replacement, more solid
done with newer technology.
My own fear involves waking mid-stream
shocked, in great pain,
and unable to speak.
Of course I’ve heard horror tales,
so I ruminate for next six weeks.
—————————————–
RUMINATION
As Bionic man, both hips replaced
his speed was greatly curtailed,
through the pool–he loved to swim.
My own fear involves waking mid-stream
so I ruminate for next six weeks.
WALT’S EXAMPLE MESSAGE:
A HEART IN THE SILENCE OF LOVE
Silence is a comforting companion,
a reminder that peace soothes
and love is the cure for
a heart left to languish.
Even when it seems to be hopeless,
you find a way to embrace
life as the gift it is,
you are not far from
living to the fullest
in the throes of a lifetime love,
Fondness of heart strengthens
in the absence of it, But above it all
you know that life is in the living,
and love is found in the giving.
For it is the truest of hearts that
never feels abandoned for lack of it
© Walter J Wojtanik
The independent (poem) message:
LOVE LIVES ON
A heart left to languish
in the throes of a lifetime love,
never feels abandoned for lack of it
© Walter J Wojtanik
***
This is my original poem from our 2013 excursion into line messaging. I will post a new poem in the comments.
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
THE ERRORS OF OUR LIVES
If only Home Depot sold a toolbox
containing all we needed to set right
the errors of our lives, those murky times
we saw little of what truly matters
in the grand scheme of things.
Black Friday Shopping Day would occur
daily with its long lines of anxious
pilgrims who, stumbling along life’s rocky path,
search for the wherewithal to hammer and grind,
saw away and sand down the rough edges
life afflicts us with: burdens so sharp
and heavy we are rendered powerless.
There are no physical soul-saving tools,
no Home Depot to one day bring us home,
no magic, no tricks, nothing but repentance.
Only a loving God can make us new again.
#
MAKING THE ROAD LESS ROCKY
In the grand scheme of things
life afflicts us with burdens so sharp
only a loving God can make us new again.
#
Superb, Salvatore!
Excellent and true, as always.
Bravo, Sal!
Spiritual Radio
Knowing that God loved us so much
He sent His Son to die
and His Holy Spirit to live inside,
I try to listen for God’s still, small voice.
Responsibilities clamor. The to-do list is long.
The foggy mind can barely hang on to a thought
beyond go here and there, do this and that.
It’s like trying to tune in a radio full of static.
And it takes effort and discipline
to train the mind to quit
judging, ridiculing, condemning myself.
I must take care of the interference.
Instead, meditate on His word, His love
His heart, His hope, His essence,
and, for at least an hour, rid myself
of the world’s distractions and busyness.
Static
I try to listen to God’s still, small voice.
It’s like trying to tune in a radio full of static.
I must take care of the interference
of the world’s distractions and busyness.
So well written, and such a lesson to be learned.
And outstanding, Connie!
Life’s Punch
Life reached up and knocked me down
When I was least expecting it
Surely such cruelty should come with a warning
I could have been prepared, don’t you know
But could I have avoided life’s punch
I could have ducked or blocked it
Then it wouldn’t have been so darned effective
Had I known that left hook was coming
Nevertheless, this certainly wasn’t the first time
I’d been knocked clean on my butt
I’m right back up on that horse called life and
I’ll sport that black eye like a trooper
Too much good going on to stay down
It’s all part of this game we all play
With each life punch I learn to stay alert
And be prepared for the next cheap shot
Cheap Shot
I could have been prepared, don’t you know
Had I known that left hook was coming
I’ll sport that black eye like a trooper
And be prepared for the next cheap shot
© Earl Parsons
Good one, Earl!
God and Country
‘Tis not of a king or queen
‘Tis not of the president
‘Tis not of any man
My country ‘tis of Thee
You gave us freedom’s dream
As long as we believed
And kept You King of our
Sweet land of liberty
No matter what may come
They will not douse my flame
‘Tis You I’ll always praise
Of Thee I sing
My country ‘tis of Thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of Thee I sing
© Earl Parsons
America
By Samuel Francis Smith
My country ‘tis of Thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of Thee I sing
Oops. Somehow the last three lines got put in two places. Coulda been my fat fingers or a double hit on the paste key. haha