For Our Sake

Seeing man's inconsistency,  

of wisdom, wealth, and strength,
we ought to learn that these do not,
can not a savior make.

"You can not tell me what to do",
we shriek, then lovingly
Our God replies, "No, I will not,
but grace I offer thee."

Professor, Confessor, Parent and Pastor

That one we called oppressor 

We learn again, as childhood ends

was really our protector.

The Downhill Path

The downhill path

offers no resistance,

spurs velocity,

promises access.

But,
exalted views are lost, 

speed destabilizes the actor,

and freedoms give way to entropy.

Counselor

Do you wish to alter me?
Is my sincerity in question?
Are you uncomfortable with who I am?

Would it be better for you if I were different?

If my happiness is the object of your change,
if my freedom is your motivation
and my excellence is your ultimate design,

Now you may teach me.

What did you see?

Just paces from the highway

a new life pushes free, while a freed life decays.

One leaps forth from provident roots,

as another submits to the earth.

Who knows, who sees, who cares or dreams?

Driver or passenger, tasked or untaxed?

Only we who doubt the finality of race's end,

and choose instead to seek the vision of the seers.

A Science Experiment

The proud new owner of a ten-speed bike,
I set off on a cyclist’s hike,

Armed with wristwatch and a bit of math,
to test my speed on the cars’ wide path.

Twenty-six and a half inches proved,
with a minute or so at a reasonable groove

The circumference of the black rubber arc
could be multiplied to my rate since start

Intently bearing down on the wheel’s spinning shadow,
Watching my wrist,the time in a window -

Counting each revolution,flying along,
as feet spun fearlessly, recklessly on.

When much to August’s quirky chagrin,
the bicycle tire found it’s reciprocal twin.

The curve of a blade, a parked snowplow,
threw horse and rider, and creased his brow.

Science’s lesson that day was quick;
not rates or speeds or geometry’s trick!

No, the thing I learned, the physical lecture:
Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

Effecting Change

"Better than nothing", or so they say
because it takes the guilt away;
but each of these artificial actions fail
to divert the engine from its rail:

No 'low-fat' label, no 'awareness-building' post
No 'quality time' when quantity's needed most;
Until we've hearkened and truly obeyed
our current course is firmly stayed.

One who surrenders the full hour each day,
who gives choicest attentions, or the whole week's pay,
sees miracles in flight, Sacrifice beyond word,
And a new heading's set, destination assured.

Consequence

I said,

"Bad Choice brings his companions:

Abuse, Depression, Disease, and Death."

Now,

You may silence me,

but not your new-chosen friends.