What is Truth?

Positioned in the middle of the room you blink in the glare of the spot light.
Out in the darkness you see eyes staring back at you.
Mutely, you sit there, believing that showing weakness brings pain.
Your bones cry out in agony; stress makes muscles tight.
The light causes your head to ache, and your thoughts run free.
You are silent.

A figure steps from the shadows. Coming close, he looks down on you.
Green eyes meet yours, filled with silent words, and he holds out his hand.
Instinctively, you trust, and eagerly you reach for him.
“How are you?” He asks, and you almost keep silent.
But the Truth emanates from him; you cannot live a lie.
Filled with shame, you look away, murmured pain on your lips.

He pulls you gently to your feet, and you feel his tremendous strength.
Meeting his eyes again, you tremble, afraid of the coming censure.
His gaze is both sad and kind, and he touches your face tenderly.
“Be happy,” he whispers to you. “You are not alone in your pain.
“I can help you, if you allow it. I will lend you strength.”
Hesitant, then with mounting joy, you feel a smile kiss your lips.

Denied Renaissance

Outside! Outside, past the green,
Past the cold, blue statue queen,
Stands the cutting of a brush
Winds all bid the buds to hush.

“Farewell! Farewell to my friends.
I leave thee all to thine own ends!
Ah, bittersweet the place I go,”
Cries out the blooms enticing woe.

“Sunsets! Sunsets I shan’t see,
As long as Vessels covet me!
They set my stem in water low,
And yet I can no longer grow.”

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Notes

This is the experience poem of the set. Where the 'innocence' poem is all happiness and expectation, the 'experience' poem is more likely to show bitterness, sadness, or pessimism. It is the melancholy side of the story, though not necessarily bad.

The Vessel

When I am crafted, my shape gently curled,
Colors of sun breed about me are twirled.
My feet are put firm on the earth of my kin,
My mouth opened up like the seed of my twin.

Brothers and sisters are all cast aside,
I am the chosen suitor of the bride.
I fill with a liquid more costly than gold,
Awaiting the helpmate I soon shall behold.

Confident stand I, for I have prevailed.
Fortitude will I procure for the veiled.
My body will protect the axis of posy
Forever we live in the fortress of Cosy.

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Notes

This is a 'song' of innocence. It is one of a set of two poems which symbolize songs of innocence and experience. William Blake is known for writing such poetry. I will post the song of experience tomorrow and further explain.

Heav’nly Storms

Shake the dust from your feet.
Turn from those who have spurned.
Life is not obsolete
Nor a thing to be earned.
Rejoice in the Father;
Dance and sing for your King.
Take the arm of your brother;
Let the praises take wing.
Come, let us smile a little.
Let us prepare our hearts.
Let not our bones be brittle -
Our work by fits and starts.
Gaze up into the heav’nly storm,
And let the Pow’r of God transform.

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Notes

Only the Prelude section of the video (About three and a half minutes) is what inspired this sonnet. The vocal piece does, however, reflect on the spirit of the Resurrection, which is what the poem anticipates.

Dove of My Heart

When I behold the sky that darkens day,
The Love that in my wearied soul did sleep
Lifts it’s head to whisper and see the way
In which it might escape from chasm deep.
The taper of the sky fights back the haze
And lights escape and filter through the air.
What had been held in darkness sought the rays;
What once had been a prison now was bare.
Though not escaped from death, it now is free
To roam the earth and find the eager soul
That wish a blessing ‘neath the apple tree
To ask that it might ever be made whole.
Oh, Dove of my heart, take hold of the lost,
And make it my own, whatever the cost.

The Three Graces

There are three graces
"Too lofty for me to attain..."

First, there is the grace of elegance;
That creature which captures our eyes with its loveliness.
A beautiful thing, it pleases the senses.
"Beauty is passing..."

Selah

The second grace is that which decorates.
It grasps our attention through music and colour.
A mystical thing, it lightens the mind.
"Moth and rust destroy..."

Selah

Last, there is grace which favours the unworthy.
Offered without our seeking.
Given without our asking.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."

Selah

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Proverbs 30:18+19
Proverbs 31:30
Matthew 6:19
Revelation 3:20

Storms

Water cascades down the glass -
Trees are watching… watching.
Weeping of lamenting grass -
Clouds are falling… falling.
Thunder makes the landscape shake -
Lights are flashing… flashing.
Winds snatch at a double take -
Vines are lashing… lashing.
My heart questions renaissance
At the frightening changes,
But I know the earth’s response
Results of One’s good graces.
Grisly sight - the land’s rebirth -
Until you learn its sacred worth.

Courtship

High above me sits the pale Moon,
Her beauty unwavering; her song a ray of bliss.
Unattainable is her purity to those who would use it for ill.

Her Gift is highly treasured. She guards it with her eyes.
It cannot be captured by fear.
Those who would attain it are shocked by unswerving zealousness.

I ask her why her light is hidden.
The white lady does not answer.
Instead, she draws a picture, writ clearly in the stars.

Then I see the answer! My heart fills with hope.
There is a Moon for every sky, its light for only one.
And so I wait for my Moon.

The Gate

Carefully listen for the trumpets calling.
Never again will the brasses be heard.
Hear the rejoicing - the end of the stalling!
Thundre, not living, forever deferred.
The heavenly sunlight has called us away.
Music unheard, now, the ear comprehending.
Motionless, standing, foretasting the end.
Cautiously waiting, the eyes not forbearing.
See the glory of God now distend.
The heavenly sunlight is not far away.
At no time in Glory will Mankind distress -
Eternally living - no sin to confess.
Glistening, holy, the souls now await
The presence of Jesus, for them, at The Gate.

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Notes:

This sonnet is not in a typical sonnet form - there being two. In a Shakespearean sonnet, each quatrain (three sets of four lines in a row) outlines a specific idea, which is then followed by the couplet, which basically sums up the idea of the entire poem. The rhyme can usually be outlined ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

This is an example of how to label a rhyme scheme:
My tongue-tied muse in manners holds her still, A
While comments of your praise, richly compiled, B
Reserve their character with golden quill A
And precious phrase by all the muses filed. B
I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words, C
And like unlettered clerk still cry “Amen” D
To every hymn that able spirit affords, C
In polished form of well-refinèd pen. D
Hearing you praised, I say “'Tis so, ’tis true,” E
And to the most of praise add something more; F
But that is in my thought, whose love to you, E
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before. F
Then others for the breath of words respect, G
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect. G
~ W. Shakespeare

Note that at the end of every line, the word rhymes with at least one other line in the sonnet. The first line ends with 'still,' so we label it A and label every line that ends with a word which rhymes (e.g. = quill) in the same manner. You go through the alphabet until you are done with the poem, though sonnets typically don't go any farther than G.

Petrarchan sonnets usually have two quatrains followed by a sestet (six lines in a row). The rhyme usually is ABBA ABBA CDECDE/CDCDCD.

Shakespearean is the sonnet form I typically use, but my sonnet, today, has two quatrains and three couplets - one of the couplets being separated by an entire quatrain. The rhyme scheme makes this more obvious: ABAB C ADAD C EE FF.

Forgiving Pride

A peak around the corner;
There’s nothing to be seen.
You hear vibration’s murmur -
The music low and mean.
Sorrows are not forgotten;
They linger by your side.
They remind you of your past
And leave no space to hide.
The melody sweeps ‘round you.
It whispers in your ear:
“My child, your days are not through.
Breathe Life and do not fear.”
Feel the kiss of the morning sun.
Blush at the thought of days undone.

Introspection

Let me stand here a little while,
A silent sanctuary.
Do not let I myself beguile;
Show me what is contrary.
To live, a whisper in the sea,
May not always seem worthy.
There lingers, in, a want to be
The Thundre which speaks plenty.
The fire, yes, can bring about
The yearn for Death's release,
But equal those who do not shout
And earneth souls with Peace.
Do not live Life with just one look.
Show there is more than one right hook.

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'Veni Sancte Spiritus' Lyrics and Translation

Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum
veni, lumen cordium.

Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams,
which sweetly flow in silent streams
from Thy bright throne above.

O come, Thou Father of the poor;
O come, Thou source of all our store,
come, fill our hearts with love.