#50: Contribution and Consumption

Look at high society, the powerful and mighty

The ratio to riches, truly unsightly

To the left of the middle, solve this riddle

How do so many end up with so little

It isn't fair until I get my share,

You getting yours? I don’t care

If my contribution equals my consumption

It’s a zero sum game left for my name

  

Examining lanes of capital gains

Leads me to conclude this system’s insane

We demand fairness, but fairness is a joke

Because the end will leave all of us broke

Is fairness really so great? It's definitely a key component in a  capitalist society, but I don't think its all its cracked up to be. Most of the time, when someone says something is unfair, its from a selfish perspective. If our end goal is for fairness, I don't think we're dreaming big enough. 

My King

These demons, these monsters they roar in my head

Wanting and wishing for my soul to be dead

Ignited by hatred, revulsion and deceit

To me they are vicious; to the world they’re discreet

I am trapped in this desert, in this pit of despair

I know of no answers, only hopes and prayers

The monsters would hurt, the pain crippling

No joyous moments, no occasions to sing

I wept and cried as I searched in vain

For a way to escape from my wretched pain

I searched up and down inside of myself

But everything I found would be of no help

I was unable to see things with my own two eyes

I could only notice the things I despised

My guilty heart chained me to the ground

As ravenous vultures circled around

A desert had become the essence of my being

To die had become an acceptable thing

But alas I would spot a glimmer of hope

A cavalry in the distance swiftly approached

My king led the charge, his sword in the air

His armor was shimmering; crown nesting his hair.

A tad bit surprised, I didn't know how to react

My king was in danger, I was taken aback

I said, “What good is a king who leaves his throne,

To search for peasants leaving the palace alone?”

He heard my thoughts and with wise words and sound sense

He said “my kingdom is precious, but in no need of defense,

We aren't fighting for justice, or just for what’s right

We are fighting for your soul, with our power and might.

We have taken stock, and this is of great worth

And we agree that we must fight; our subjects we serve.”

I thought it quite extraordinary that a king could feel free

From his powerful position and come here for me

But all battles are perilous; there always will be a cost

And my king was taken prisoner, all was seemingly lost

The monsters were overjoyed to take the king and his crown

But their original mission was to take my soul down

It was withered and rotten, beaten and bruised

I just witnessed my king fall and my soul was confused

My monsters approached with my king in their hands

They shouted out obscenities and cowardly demands

The monsters claimed to be justice, and oddly it was true

They demanded penitence, for my soul was askew

But my king made a deal which kept the monsters at bay

He said “I’ll cover the cost, what is the price he must pay?”

The monsters couldn't believe it; I nearly lost my breath,

“The punishment is quite steep, the punishment is death”

They took my king to the darkest of caves

They claimed it was a terrible prison for slaves

Inside it was darkness, perfect pitch black

No slave who entered ever came back

But when my king entered the prison, it lit up like fire

His radiance shown to be a power much higher

But the brilliant brightness would reveal dismay

We could now see the caves horrors, the death and decay

There were thousands of prisoners, in shackles all around

Malnourished and decrepit, they could not make a sound

Their groans were left silent, for they had become weak

All that hung from their shackles were their bony physiques

Their eyes were glazed over, their gaze like a stone

Their hearts filled with emptiness, they were trapped and alone

The king let me know what he was about to do

“I came for these prisoners, as well as for you

They are imprisoned by evil, by the world’s misdeeds

But soon they will be alive, soon they’ll be freed.

These monsters have not seen the height of my power

But that time soon will come, it is almost the hour”

The king was taken to the center of the cave

They shackled him up like the lowliest slave

They burned his hair, they tore his clothes

They pummeled his body with ferocious blows

He took on the punishment, he never fought back

Each demon took a shot, each hit a good crack

The shots got more vicious, the hits became rough

I screamed at the injustice, I screamed out “ENOUGH!”

“This punishment has more than death on its slate

Yet this man has done nothing to deserve this fate”

Then my king looked at me, with peace in his eyes,

And said “Don’t worry my child, the sun will still rise.”

He looked to the heavens as he breathed his last

And the radiant brightness turned back into black.

It was quiet all of the sudden, in the black unknown

I fell to my knees, I wept and I moaned

“What have you done, where is my king?”

“You demons have done a most terrible thing.”

The demons in the darkness shouted and hissed

“You are free wretched one, your names off our list

Go back home, with those burdens you've carried

Your king he is gone, he is dead and he is buried

And lastly, a warning, if you ever should return

We will rip you to pieces, your body, it will burn

I went back home but with regret in the air

My king he was dead, my punishment laid bare

He took it out of love, he took it for me

But what am I to become, who shall I be?

My king was innocent; he had done nothing of blame

I couldn't comprehend that he died in my name

In the faintest of night I heard the quietest call

To return to the place where I saw my king fall

At first I must admit, I was quite scared

What of the demons, that didn't want me there?

The voice was reassuring, and said with tenderly care

There is no danger in that land, there is nothing to fear

I expected the cave to be dark once again

But I came upon a surprise when I reentered in

The once rocky cave now lined with pure gold

Flowing honey and wine, a sight to behold

There was music and dancing, joy in the air

Fanciful clothing, with pomp and with flair

The cave was the location of a beautiful banquet

There were patrons prancing about, the enemy vanquished

I did not understand, I couldn't believe what I saw

Were these the hopeless souls that were too weak to crawl?

“Redemption, Redemption!!” the former prisoners chanted

“The evil in this land has been forever supplanted”

I looked at the walls, not a shackle in sight

What could have turned such despair into delight?

A man heard my question and said, “Don’t you see?

Our king conquered death, our king set us free?”

I looked down the hall, and behold, His throne!

So majestic, so glorious, of beauty unknown

I looked to see if my King was around

But soon could see he was nowhere to be found

At least not in the palace and not in plain sight

“Is he off to a new land, a new battle to fight?”

“He has gone off to show the world what grace is

To turn guilty eyes into innocent faces

To set free more souls bound by their sin

To let them start over fresh once again

Before he left them, he cast a most glorious vision

Of a kingdom of love, with freedom its mission

#49: A Leaf in Winter

There used to be such peaceful days

Before the winds of winter came

I attached, strong at the stem

I looked around as the sun shone through

The mist of morning, a gentle due

The summer heat, the autumn rain

Weakened by the changing seasons

My fellow leaves would blow away

But here on this branch, alone I stay

Battered by a blizzards snow

I could not, would not dare let go

For this tree has been so good to me

It’s all I've known, all I’ll ever be

Honestly, I'm not sure what this poem is about. In the literal sense, its about a leaf that clings to its tree. On one hand, it's about perseverance, on the other, its about holding on too tight. Is the leaf even supposed to be there? I guess if it's there, that's where it's supposed to be. 

#48: Triumphant

 St. George's Hall, Windsor Castle

The palace doors swung open wide

The angels sing with harmonious delight

A light it shines, ever so bright

Upon the throne of the King of Kings

No greater being will ever be known

Nothing more glorious will ever be shown

No other gods could we ever condone

He is Lord of Lords, the King of Kings

His radiant joy will never cease

His triumphant work, brings everlasting peace

He sits at the head of a magnificent feast

Prepared for His people, our King of Kings

Jesus's judgment, on all believers. That will be quite a moment. Also known as the doctrine of rewards, I imagine there will be a grand palace, a fancy banquet, and the best food ever. I don't really know though. I do know that when the judge arrives, everyone will erupt with joy and Jesus himself will bring new meaning and understanding to the word judgment. 

#47: The Slightest of Words

It was the slightest of words

That stripped everything away

My confidence

My belief

It was the smallest expression

That shook me to my core

And left the whole of me

Devastated

In ruination

You only said it once

But it’s the only thing I hear

Over and over

Like the beat of my heart

Your words define me

More than you think

They Shouldn't

But they do

#46: Preachers and Magicians

Lofty words and slight of hand

The stage, the lights, complete command

The mark, the sell, a trusted brand

Foundation built on sinking sand

Fanciful illusion or cheap parlor tricks

Throw it at the wall, see if it sticks

The audience loves you, their getting their kicks

Their broken hearts aren’t yours to fix.

Words aren’t meant to misdirect

But you right here look oh so perfect

Honesty and truth, I cannot detect

Bottom line, theirs cash to collect

If you go to a church, what is the primary message that your pastor preaches about? Hint, if it's not rooted in Jesus, it's not worth going to. 

#45: The Shadows

For me and people here in the United States, I pray that we can live up to the phrase, "land of the free and home of the brave." I pray that fear is not what drives our lives but boldness and courage instead. I pray that we do not ignore the issues at hand but face them head on.

You think you understand the world around you

You think tomorrows gonna bring another day

Your think you’re fine, you think you’re alright

You think everything is gonna be okay

But there’s darkness around you, you cannot deny

There are people hurting, who are going to die

Open your eyes, to the world around you

Look around for the things you’ve never seen

There are people weeping in the shadows

Who need hope, hope that you can bring

Syrian Refugees

For the Syrian refugees, I pray for that they can dwell in the shelter of the Most High. 

Psalm 91:1-9 Bible (English Standard Version)

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say^a to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge

#44: The White Rose

"Since the conquest of Poland, 300,000 Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way… The German people slumber on in dull, stupid sleep and encourage the fascist criminals. Each wants to be exonerated of guilt, each one continues on his way with the most placid, calm conscience. But he cannot be exonerated; he is guilty, guilty, guilty!”

— 2nd leaflet of the White Rose.

Have you ever heard of The White Rose? They being the German resistance group that defied Nazi Germany. They also being the chief inspiration for this weeks poem. Despite having a B.A. in History, I somehow had never heard of them until I heard the song "Holland 1945" from Neutral Milk Hotel's brilliant album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

As the song recounts the death of Anne Frank and her family, the final lyric goes, "And it's so sad to see, the world agree, that they'd rather see their faces filled with flies, all when I'd want to keep white roses in their eyes."  As I began to obsess over this album, I began reading about the song's influences. Jeff Mangum, lead singer and writer of the song was asked if the final line of his song was a reference to the German resistance movement. Ironically, he had never heard of them but this White Rose piqued my curiosity.

I researched the White Rose and was fascinated by their boldness in the face of the Nazi Regime. This group of men and women distributed anti-Nazi pamphlets in Germany and were beheaded for it. They saw the madness around them and knew that their nation was doing something terrible. When they spoke out against it, they lost their lives. Today, they are considered heroes of Germany.

Sophie Scholl on Trial

Of heroism the world should know

Of freedoms light and how it can glow

Of resistance in the face of foes

Standing brave, is the White Rose

To think for them what sedition brings

Freedom took them to the guillotine

Their bloodless battle can’t go unseen

For all should know what the White Rose means

Huber, Graf, and Wittenstein,

In darkness they made freedom shine

Probst with Hans and Sophie Scholl

Made Germany ponder liberty's role

Amidst the backdrop of tyranny

Where the world would face adversity

They printed papers of freedom’s plea

To wake the conscience of Germany

In secret they would take freedom’s fight

With no worry of their individual plight

In death their faith was their delight

Liberty eternally in their sight

To wellsprings in life where liberty flows

Where the thinker can think before he knows

Of rights and wrongs as goodness glows

Honor is the place of the White Rose

#43: Not Afraid

This was written from the middle first, then upwards/downwards from there. I wanted to try and capture that bipolar feeling. Everything that moves upwards from the middle is that awesome feeling, and everything downwards from the middle is not so much. 

If you want to feel happy, start from the bottom and finish at the top. If you want to feel crappy, start from the top and read downwards. 

Not afraid
Got it made
Early Rise
Eyes on prize
Born to run
Having fun
Close friends
Keeping trends
Steady Job 
Heartthrob
Feeling fine
Tow the line
Educated
Medicated
Inebriated
Agitated
Feel like trash
Energy crash
Heart hurts
Skipping work
Odds and Ends
No friends
Dark days
Fuzzy haze
Black sheep
Cannot sleep
Pulled shade
So afraid

#42: Your streamers fall in the dark

You've lived a life that’s dishonest

You’ve preyed on the meek and the poor

It’s gotten you to the top of the mountain

But you forgot who you are at the core

You might have accomplished a little

You look like you’re feeling real good

But you might be getting too big of a head

Doing the arrogant things that you did

You celebrate all your successes

You threw a parade in the park

But no one really cares what you’ve done

Your streamers, they fall in the dark

Your parade it seems pretty pointless

The equivalent of the life that you live

All the things you’ve wanted you’ve taken

Never considering of what you could give

CM Punk's last ROH show

Now this poem is not about CM Punk (former Pro Wrestler) in any way but this picture was the best to illustrate streamers falling in the dark. If you follow pro wrestling, you probably have heard of him. If you don't, then you're probably thinking wrestling is stupid and fake, which is true, but also two of the reasons why pro wrestling is so fascinating.

I would say this poem is pretty self explanatory. If you have reached the pinnacle of success, are you a better person for it? Did you reach the top by knocking others down? Does anyone else care that you made it? If you're celebrating your success and nobody else cares, did you really succeed then?

#41: The Moon in the Sea

On this quiet sandstone shore

The stillest night I've known

A moon above

A moon below

They both call to me

I cannot touch the sky

The moon that flies above

It’s unreachable

But this moon below

Floating? Sinking?

I do not really know

It looks like I can get there

I’ll dive in to the sea

I’ll swim there

I’m there

But it’s not there

I’m there, I’m nowhere

We all have plans of where we want to go and what we want to do with our lives. But we must ask ourselves, is what I'm planning and hoping for rooted in reality? Am I swimming to a moon that does not exist? 

Its funny to think that reaching the moon in the sky is even possible. But we've been there. I'm sure millions have dreamed of going there, millions have studied how to get there, and eventually, we made it there. But the moon in the sea, we'll never get there, because it does not exist.

#40: My King (Part 4 of 4)

Here is the conclusion to My King. 

The paintings in each post are by Korean artist Kim Ki-Chang. Each painting depicts Jesus in Korean culture. 

Below are the links to the first three parts if you haven't read those yet. 

Part 1          http://aalmike.blogspot.com/2015/09/37-my-king-part-1-of-4.html

Part 2          http://aalmike.blogspot.com/2015/10/38-my-king-part-2-of-4.html

Part 3          http://aalmike.blogspot.com/2015/10/39-my-king-part-3-of-4.html

Ascension of Jesus by Woonbo Kim Ki-Chang

My King (Part 4)

In the faintest of night I heard the quietest call

To return to the place where I saw my king fall

At first I must admit, I was quite scared

What of the demons, that didn't want me there?

The voice was reassuring, and said with tenderly care

There is no danger in that land, there is nothing to fear

I expected the cave to be dark once again

But I came upon a surprise when I reentered in

The once rocky cave now lined with pure gold

Flowing honey and wine, a sight to behold

There was music and dancing, joy in the air

Fanciful clothing, with pomp and with flair

The cave was the location of a beautiful banquet

There were patrons prancing about, the enemy vanquished

I did not understand, I couldn't believe what I saw

Were these the hopeless souls that were too weak to crawl?

“Redemption, Redemption!!” the former prisoners chanted

“The evil in this land has been forever supplanted”

I looked at the walls, not a shackle in sight

What could have turned such despair into delight?

A man heard my question and said, “Don’t you see?

Our king conquered death, our king set us free?”

I looked down the hall, and behold, His throne!

So majestic, so glorious, of beauty unknown

I looked to see if my King was around

But soon could see he was nowhere to be found

At least not in the palace and not in plain sight

“Is he off to a new land, a new battle to fight?”

“He has gone off to show the world what grace is

To turn guilty eyes into innocent faces

To set free more souls bound by their sin

To let them start over fresh once again

Before he left them, he cast a most glorious vision

Of a kingdom of love, with freedom its mission"

#39: My King (Part 3 of 4)

Korean Jesus by Woonbo Kim Ki-chang

Here is part 3. When the character screams out, that means at the top of his lungs. So if you are reading it out loud, you need to actually be screaming as loud and desperately as you can. 

My King (Part 3)

The king was taken to the center of the cave

They shackled him up like the lowliest slave

They burned his hair, they tore his clothes

They pummeled his body with ferocious blows

He took on the punishment, he never fought back

Each demon took a shot, each hit a good crack

The shots got more vicious, the hits became rough

I screamed at the injustice, I screamed out “Enough!”

“This punishment has more than death on its slate

Yet this man has done nothing to deserve this fate”

Then my king looked at me, with peace in his eyes,

And said “Don’t worry my child, the sun will still rise.”

He looked to the heavens as he breathed his last

And the radiant brightness turned back into black.

It was quiet all of the sudden, in the black unknown

I fell to my knees, I wept and I moaned

“What have you done, where is my king?”

“You demons have done a most terrible thing.”

The demons in the darkness shouted and hissed

“You are free wretched one, your names off our list

Go back home, with those burdens you’ve carried

Your king he is gone, he is dead and he is buried

And lastly, a warning, if you ever should return

We will rip you to pieces, your body, it will burn

I went back home but with regret in the air

My king he was dead, my punishment laid bare

He took it out of love, he took it for me

But what am I to become, who shall I be?

My king was innocent; he had done nothing of blame

I couldn’t comprehend that he died in my name

#38: My King (Part 2 of 4)

If you missed part 1, its here http://aalmike.blogspot.com/2015/09/37-my-king-part-1-of-4.html

Part 2 is below. 

The Agony in the Garden, by Kim Ki-chang

My King (Part 2)

I thought it quite extraordinary that a king could feel free

From his powerful position and come here for me

But all battles are perilous; there always will be a cost

And my king was taken prisoner, all was seemingly lost

The monsters were overjoyed to take the king and his crown

But their original mission was to take my soul down

It was withered and rotten, beaten and bruised

I just witnessed my king fall and my soul was confused

My monsters approached with my king in their hands

They shouted out obscenities and cowardly demands

The monsters claimed to be justice, and oddly it was true

They demanded penitence, for my soul was askew

But my king made a deal which kept the monsters at bay

He said “I’ll cover the cost, what is the price he must pay?”

The monsters couldn't believe it; I nearly lost my breath,

“The punishment is quite steep, the punishment is death”

They took my king to the darkest of caves

They claimed it was a terrible prison for slaves

Inside it was darkness, perfect pitch black

No slave who entered ever came back

But when my king entered the prison, it lit up like fire

His radiance shown to be a power much higher

But the brilliant brightness would reveal dismay

We could now see the caves horrors, the death and decay

There were thousands of prisoners, in shackles all around

Malnourished and decrepit, they could not make a sound

Their groans were left silent, for they had become weak

All that hung from their shackles were their boney physiques

Their eyes were glazed over, their gaze like a stone

Their hearts filled with emptiness, they were trapped and alone

The king let me know what he was about to do

“I came for these prisoners, as well as for you

They are imprisoned by evil, by a lesser decree

But soon they'll come alive, soon they’ll be free.

These monsters have not seen the height of my power

But that time soon will come, it is almost the hour”