Tag Archives: Materialism

POEM: Simply Living

This poem regarding simple living and simply living is about simply valuing people over things. Such an anti-consumerist lifestyle recognizes that increasing materialism edges out, and often runs roughshod over, our shared humanity. May we live ever aware and valuing … Continue reading

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POEM: Enlightenment Not Worth Beings

Conversing in the street At a protest We had a very enlightening pow wow As too in form me He stated with qualm assurance “Protest before enlightenment, protest after enlightenment” A parity of action Like I had never seen To … Continue reading

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POEM: Arousing Spirit

She had a profoundly rousing spirit Unfortunately, he did not believe in spirits And lack of belief Will only Carry you so far I like this short poem because it plays with the notions of spirit and disbelief.  There are … Continue reading

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POEM: Seriously?!

The Zen master was nearly Finished with his instruction When he got to non-seriousness I was greatly relieved For I was taking nothing He was saying Seriously This short poem gets at one of the great paradoxes of enlightened spirituality: … Continue reading

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POEM: Less Than Eternal Question

The Rev. Medley Had risen To the highest position He would ever It was only down from there An awe too common Occupational hazard Of moderate irony And accumulating lessens Just falling short Of making one cross Facing that less … Continue reading

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POEM: Picket Fences

More people are imprisoned By picket fences Than steel bars Sometimes by splinters Sometimes by stakes Through the heart Lonely in the end To come home Dreams of white picket fences have waylayed many more lives than prisons or jails.  … Continue reading

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POEM: Incompetent Evil

I don’t care much for evil I don’t care much for incompetence Though when present together Incompetence becomes a blessing As in math, sometimes in morality, multiplying two negatives can produce some positive results.  There is at times some hope … Continue reading

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SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER: A Christian Perspective on Justice

Here is a portion of a document that I drafted a couple of years ago while I was a board member of Toledo Area Ministries (TAM).  It was never adopted in any form, but I put a lot of work … Continue reading

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POEM: Spiritual Economy

The other day I went to my spiritual economist She had already been in receipt of my stack of papers I spoke at some length and detail She noted that I have much that I can not afford She advised … Continue reading

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POEM: Arguing with Atheists

Arguing with atheists is like panning for gold in a bathtub. This one line poem is certainly provocative, and probably dangerous.  First I would like to concede that I cannot prove that God exists.  Secondly, and equally, I don’t think … Continue reading

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POLITICAL CARTOON: Free Market Jesus – Blessed Are The Amoral

Free Market Jesus Speaks! Welcome to Free Market Jesus!  This is a new Top Pun series of comics that will run on Sundays, featuring Free Market Jesus, Country Club Jesus, Gen. Jesus, Comedian Jesus, and who knows what other incarnations! … Continue reading

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POEM: Those who take things literally are often thieves.

ONE-LINE POEM: Those who take things literally are often thieves. Here it is folks, my first one-line poem!  Quite appropriately, this short poem is a poem about poems, as well as a poem dealing directly and simply with social and … Continue reading

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POEM: Toddling Western Civilization

Have you ever seen a toddler who can barely walk Stumbling forward, running to not fall Deliriously proud of oneself This may be Western civilization This short poem is a metaphor for Western civilization.  For any of us who have … Continue reading

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