die by the sword

[joel]

And now the wedding’s over and the halls
have all been cleaned—the sanctuary floors
of petals and the pews of tissues. All’s
been done—the banquet bill’s been paid and scores
of thank-you notes have been addressed and stamped.
The sparkling wine that wasn’t used to toast
is flat. And rubbed have been the feet that cramped
in fancy shoes a size too small—and, most
of all, the hangovers have passed. The only stain
upon the wedding train: three sabers – used
saluting serviceman and bride – remain,
though hidden, somewhere in the church confused—
though maybe more confusing soon to those
who’ll ask who fought the Father, Son and Ghost.

[jim turner]

A sharp and wonderful eye for detail. jim

[.Lucy.]

Beautiful!

[mnaz]

this one intrigues me, joel. we have the aftermath of a church wedding reception, and then some sort of mysterious fight (against?) the trinity..

[joel]

Thanks for kind words, friends. I don't know about it either, mnaz...something about the three swords that must be somewhere around inside the church building intrigues me...keep hearing that the one who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. The trinitarian idea of the One is often discussed in terms of dance, relationship and agreement...how would it be conceived in ideas of mutual and faithful battle/struggle (and still be unity)?

I haven't had a lot of time lately...forced myself to write something...shouldn't be a sonnet, but I don't know how to free it, so within the rules I stay.

Blessed Thanksgiving, friends!

[joel]

Thanks for kind words, friends. I don't know about it either, mnaz...something about the three swords that must be somewhere around inside the church building intrigues me...keep hearing that the one who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. The trinitarian idea of the One is often discussed in terms of dance, relationship and agreement...how would it be conceived in ideas of mutual and faithful battle/struggle (and still be unity)?

I haven't had a lot of time lately...forced myself to write something...shouldn't be a sonnet, but I don't know how to free it, so within the rules I stay.

Blessed Thanksgiving, friends!

[Sue Littleton]

Wonderful description the the debris left after the wedding ceremony, Joel.

As to the three swords, I prefer to believe the Holy Trinity armed themselves symbolically against the cruelties and injustices of the world. Reminds me of that ancient hymn,

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He hath loosed the fatal lightning of His terrible swift sword,
His truth is marching on."

Probably before your time, my dear. At any rate, swords are weapons, and weapons are to deal aggression and death, and who needs that?

Rambling a bit here, but you will understand. A Blesséd Christmas to you,

Sue♥♥♥

[dadio]

o yes. You have the measure of Shakespeare and breath in his spirit. Yet you mark your own words well, make them tread and walk as you will them. Very fine poetry.



The only stain
upon the wedding train: three sabers – used
saluting serviceman and bride – remain,
though hidden, somewhere in the church confused—
though maybe more confusing soon to those
who’ll ask who fought the Father, Son and Ghost.
( Fine lines)