Lift Where I Stand: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Iambic Poem

If I’m to lift where I stand/
How often should I reprimand/
Others for their silliness?/
The government for causing duress?/
Our kids and friends for giving us stress?

Capitalists for raising prices?
Immoral folks who are spreading vices?
Big industry for pollution?
Bankers with no economic solution?

Do we rail as some try to do good?
Could their motives be misunderstood?
We often stand and criticize,
As we look with judging eyes.

What if we focused our critical gaze
Into our own internal maze?
Wouldn’t we see so much clearer
If we looked, first and only, into the mirror?

Would we be able to do more good
If we learned to lift where we stood?
We do not stick our heads in the sand/
When we help by lifting where we stand.
For isn’t it said: There is nothing greater
than loving God by serving our neighbor?

During His Service — Thoughts On My Neighbor’s Passing: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

My neighbor (“the golfer”) passed away unexpectedly last weekend. At his funeral, during tributes from children and friends, many thoughts and feelings came up, which I turned into poetic texts to myself.

When a good man passes 11:04 a.m.
When a good man is/
Taken too early, it shakes/
We who aren’t ready.

Life Elevated Example 11:49 p.m.
When you see a life/
That is elevated, you/
Know you must improve.

My Neighbor’s Advice: 12:13 p.m.
“Prepare to stand in/
The presence of God.” That’s his/
advice from the grave.

Urgent Work 12:24 p.m.
For such a one to/
leave so early shows how the/
work is so urgent.
OR
For such a one to/
leave so soon shows how urgent/
the Lord’s work must be.

Kind Words Of Welcome 12:26 p.m.
Welcome back, brother”/
were the kindest feelings and/
words I ever heard.