Art and Making Tosh.

Art.

You do not form our thinking
or give light to the blind
but articulate the consciousness
of the common human mind

The metamorphic substance
of the feeling in the air
the offspring of a generation
born of splendour and despair

The Man is a greater art
than any lauded statuary
and the essence of his soul
his wealth in abject poverty

The Woman is more beautiful
than a painting or a bronze
A Child's laughter more delightful
than a great composer's songs

A painting's easily admired
a composer gains a fan
more difficult to recognise
The God within a Man.

Wealth of Art.

Manipulate and exploit
the need and labour of the poor
and thus grow rich
And use that wealth
to buy what was a poor man's work
but is now called Art
and from it try to find that which you lack
the generous feeling of a poor man's heart.

By wealth pursue
in paint or bronze or clay
the Aura Trail of what the poor 
think and feel and pray
until at the end
the labour of the poor man's soul
is in the rich man's pocket
to keep for his amusement
or sell to make a profit.

Knowing Art.

She has a heavy fringe
two layers of lipstick
miss-matched clothes
and Grannie boots

She must know a lot about Art

But I've got a feeling
she'd present a dog's breakfast as art
if Cosmo said it was

She would consider a pile of bricks to be art
but the men who built her house
Too ignorant to know about art

I know where she bought her Grannie boots
they also sell Jack boots

She is in her element
She is with her clique
she knows her genre

You've got to hand it to her
she does function well
within the boundaries 
of her own personal delusion.

But then again, don't we all.

Sounds of Art.

It is generally accepted
that people who listen to classical music
do not brawl on the street

These people are much too sophisticated for that
These people wouldn't get their clothes dirty
These people would say "Tut Tut"

Some of these people only sign papers
That cause the deaths of untold thousands.

Looking for Art.

"Are you, looking for Art?
Well it's not that
It's not on this or any other floor
it's at the back door
There is a pile of rags
within them is wrapped
a man attempting to sleep
and there is more art etched on his face
than there is in this whole Gallery.
But are you, looking for Art ?"

Johnnie and Betsey.

Pictures of my Father and Mother taken about the same time.
My Father was born on the 27th of  May 1914 and was married to my Mother in 1939 in Fort William. Soon after they were married he was conscripted into the army.
Today is my Father's 100th Birthday.

The Clock the Mirror and the Hall

The Longcase Clock

Tick tick tock went the big old Clock
as it stood all forlorn in the hall
then with a shout suddenly cried out
"My God I have killed them all."

The Mirror in shock, said-"Dear Mr Clock
you shouldn't go blaming yourself
because you display the hour of the day
on your handsome face of delft"

"You are in error' said the Clock to the Mirror
They are gone because of time
and I tremble with fear that they would be here
if it weren't for my cursed chime."

The Mirror then sighed and said "I have tried'
To shield you from this truth
I have studied the way time turns to grey
the golden mane of youth."

The Mirror went on - "Now don't get me wrong
I respect all the work you have done
but they are men and time ticks in them
and that is why they are gone."

The Clock said "Dear friend, I knew I could depend
on you to hear my cry
But though I grieve don't expect me to believe
your well meaning but fantastic lie"

The mirror said "Look, if it wasn't for this hook
that pins me to this wall
I'd give you some wit by lifting you with a kick
you an' your chimes an' all."

The Clock said "I see what you think of me
you couldn't be nice for an hour
and all this malice because you are jealous
of my universal power."

The Mirror said "That's great - so this is my fate
it's true that life can be cruel
I'm locked in this hall and pinned to this wall
facing a delusional fool."

Teatime Dilemma

Teatime Dilemma

"Mummy" Now that Graham's dead
can I get his bed
can I get his room
I'll open a window
to get rid of the stink
of his girlfriend's cheap perfume

Can I get his clothes
not everything
just the things I like
and his mountain bike

Can I get his college fund
that integral part of your great design
can it be mine

Can I get the car
you were going to buy him
when he graduated
can my life be celebrated

"Mummy" What are you doing
get away from the phone Leave it alone
"Daddy" Is that you
There's been a terrible accident
Graham's dead
I think Mummy is too
and there's nothing made for tea
on the way home could you stop and get
a take-away for me.

"Please Welcome"

"Please Welcome
The Inner City Dolphins
singing' - "Pete's song"

"We're The Inner City Dolphins
and we'd like to sing our song
if you know the words
feel free to sing along
it's quite a simple lyric
and quite a catchy tune
all about Pete our drummer's crazy afternoon"

And here it goes...

I awoke at twelve O'clock
by a knock on my door
it was my older brother
brought back from the War

I helped him through the hall
into the living room
and that was the beginning
of my crazy afternoon

I gave him a hug
an attempt to show I cared
but there was no response
he only blankly stared

I poured him a juice
and placed it in his hand
went through the photo album
but he didn't understand

Family and friends
dropped in to wish him well
leaving shocked to find a man
in such a personal hell

A welcome at the local pub
was arranged by his best mate
when it filled up with people
he began to masturbate

I threw my jacket over him
and wheeled him out the door
walking back I thought -
I can't take this anymore

I phoned the military hospital
and asked them what to do
they said -
"We're finished with him now
and it's up to you"

So I lifted him from his chair
laid him out on the bed
took his revolver
and shot him in the head

Then I phoned the police
and told them what I'd done
they surrounded the house
until I threw out the gun

Then they put me in a van
and took me to a jail
I'm only here today
because I'm out on bail

I loved my brother
and that is why I killed him
I would have shot myself
if that could have healed him

And the reason I wrote this song
is to tell you all that I was wrong

I didn't have the right to take his life away
it's a burden of regret I carry every day

They dumped my brother at my door
in their "Streamlining of Health"
but I was hardly even able
to care for myself.

Coupe DeVille.

Coupe DeVille.

I waited for my girlfriend but she didn't show
I asked my little sister but she said she didn't know.
Then I saw them later holding hands an' kissin'
I tried to talk it over but they wouldn't listen
My girlfriend only went with me to get off with my sister
it must have been an ordeal every time I kissed her.
Things you don't expect can take you by surprise
I didn't think my little sis would ever tell me lies.

I went to see my brother he was sitting on the floor
he didn't even look up when I walked through the door.
He said - "I've become a Buddhist and I'm meditating
in a year or two I will be levitating"
I tried to talk it over but he wouldn't listen
he said it was their Karma for girls to be kissin'
Things you don't expect can be a test of grit
I didn't think my brother wouldn't give a shit.

I went to see the Priest he was working on his car
tho' he hardly ever drives it because he likes a Jar.
He said my word was not enough and to get to the truth
I would really have to bring him some photographic proof.
I tried to talk it over but he wouldn't listen
he said some hard evidence would still be missin'.
Things you don't expect can make you kick a Coupe DeVille
I didn't think the Father was into girl on girl.
"There you are Monsignor emblazoned on the dints
your personal portfolio of my work boot prints"

Work Station

Work Station.

"Could you follow me"

"Yes, certainly"

"This is your work station here
I'll just go over it with you."

"These buttons on the front
you can press any of them
except this one
this one with the sticker that says
"Do Not Press"
Whatever you do under no circumstances-press this button."

"This array of switches to your left
you can flick any of these switches
it's up to you just use your own discretion.
But this switch here
the one with the red tape around it.
Do not even touch this switch
in fact avoid the switches near to it
in case you flick it by accident."

"The sliding regulators to your right
you can slide any of them
tolerance will still be automatically maintained.
But this one here the one that's bigger than the rest
this sets and locks all the others.
So - Do Not - slide this regulator
especially not on a Friday afternoon."

"Have you got that now?"

"O Yes, you can depend on me"

For John Paul

For John Paul                                                            

The old Father said to me
'Don't you want to share
in the suffering of the world'
I thought for a moment and then replied
'I didn't know I was'
he replied sharply
'Well you are and be thankful'

He then stood up went over to a cupboard
and began to rummage through it

I began to think how selfish I was
for expecting a carefree life
in the midst of a world of suffering

He reappeared with an old Bible
thumbed through it and tore out a page
then walked out of the room
and down the hall toward the front door
I hurried after him 
he opend the door and I stepped outside
he handed me the page 
'Read this when you get home'- He said 
'this is where you'll find Christ'
Then he stuck his head around the door 
and said - 'I'll pray for you tonight'
'Thank you' I blurted out
to the closing door

Feeling disappointed I made my way home

The next morning
finding the page in my pocket
I sat on my bed and began to read it
This is what it said 

I was hungry
and you gave me food
I was thirsty
and you gave me a drink
I was a stranger
and you made me welcome
I was in rags
and you gave me clothes
I was ill
and you came and took care of me
I was in prison
and you came to see me there
I was despised
and you showed me respect

And in that moment it became clear to me
that the suffering of Christ
and the suffering of humanity
are indivisible and ongoing

In the afternoon
I went back to see the old Father
He answered the door
'I've got it' - I said
'I know what you mean'
He opened the door wider
and gestured with his hand
for me to come in
walking into the hall - I said
'You must have prayed for me right enough'
'I did ' he replied
'I prayed for you all night'

Reposted from   28-2-2010.

Mafia and the Evangelist

Silhouette

Silhouette

Do not ask
Who is standing in the doorway

Do not ask
Where they have been
Do not ask about their sin
Call out quickly  "Come in"  "Come in"


Do not ask
Who is standing in the doorway

Do not ask

For a sign of appearance to please us

Do not even ask their name 

Their name is  Jesus.

Maelstrom

Dada.

When I was 20 I thought that 50
was a thousand years away
and now I'm 50 I think that 60 and 70 
are tomorrow and the next day
and now I'm 50 (no matter what you say)
I know that 20 is a thousand years away

If I was 20 again
I would Get out Get out Get out
and you should do the same
Relatives are a wonderful childhood accompaniment
and in adulthood they are also good
but on a different continent

Don't become the Hobby horse
from your Father's carpentry box
ridden into the ground for the rest of your life

Don't become the wedding dress
from your Mother's pattern box
another Wedding another Bride another Mother

Don't become the chattel
of a Priest or a Mullah
When all they are teaching is
Be me Be me Be me
Grasp your God given right to
Be you Be you Be you

Break the mould
shatter it beyond repair
leave no ambiguous pieces of doubt
and Get out Get out Get out.

This post has the most page views on my blog
I've reposted it from  6-11-2010.

Life and Light

                                                Lift up your heads  O you gates

                                               And be lifted up you everlasting doors

                                               And the King of glory shall come in

                                               Who is this King of glory

                                               The Lord strong and mighty

                                               The Lord mighty in battle

                                               Lift up your heads  O you gates

                                               Lift up  you everlasting doors

                                               And the King of glory shall come in

                                               Who is this King of glory

                                               The Lord of hosts

                                               He is the King of glory

                                               Psalm 24

What If -

What if – Human suffering is a gift from God
and we are being honoured by God
by being permitted to share in the suffering of Christ.

Longanimity

I believe Jesus Saves I accept your right to disagree
But I know of at least two men he has saved from me.

Media Truth.

                                          Link to Liverpool Hillsborough Disaster

                                          Information on Wikipedia.



Camouflage

Camouflage is an important word and practice in the military.

Camouflage is also an important word and practice in politics.

To begin to understand War you must first begin to understand
who or what is ruling the world, who or what is in control.

The world is ruled and controlled by the faceless and unaccountable
Executives who sit on the boards of world corporations.

The Leaders who sit in these boardrooms have no concern for people,
they have no concern for justice, they have no concern for peace,
they have no concern for democracy and no concern for the environment.

What concerns them is the control of the world's resources
for the purpose of establishing and maintaining their power and wealth.

If killing people and destroying their property is peace then they bring peace
If imposing upon a people a puppet Dictator is democracy then they bring democracy.

When soldiers are in the theatre of conflict
it is no longer about why they are there. It is about their Regiment, their friends,
it is about watching each others back, about killing or being killed.
It is about surviving and coming home to their families.

When the bodies start to come home it becomes disrespectful to ask why.
Now it becomes about service and duty and honour.
People appear on the news saying - "That's what they wanted"
And families who do not say the right things don't get to appear on the news.
The reason for this is that the corporations also control the media.

Politicians are the mediators between the boardrooms and the public.

When they retire from politics they graduate to the boardrooms.

And in graduating to the boardrooms
they complete the cycle and structure of  Global Plutocracy.

Reposted from   6 - 8 - 2010.

Caught

The Willow Trees

Omagh

A day
can seem like a lifetime                   
a moment like a year
hopes and dreams
contained and lost
in one exploding tear

Caught
in the freeze frame
moving in slo-mo
another imagined 
retrospective scenario

When those loved
more than life
do not survive
the deepest wound 
is the hurt
of being alive
To stand beneath
the willow trees
and weep aloud 
lost in grief
wander Market street
among the crowd

Caught
in the freeze frame
moving in slo-mo
another imagined
retrospective scenario.

The Ball Chaos Theory

The Beach

I began to focus
on blurred images
and was trying to listen
to muffled sounds
slowly I could hear water
and was standing on a Beach
looking out upon
an endless translucent sea

A young man walking on the Beach
walks over to me
smiling he says
'I am here to welcome you'

'Thank you'-I reply
'But where is this place?'

' 'This'  he answered  'Is Eternity'
'We are standing outside linear time
and touching all time
here the past is alive
and the future is remembered
this is spiritual time
the eternal loop of consciousness'

Then he asks me
'Do you know - 'The ball chaos theory?'

'I do' I reply
'Jesus caught the ball
and the car ran him over'

'Well this place' He replied
is where the chaos ends'

'I have often wondered
and wonder now - could you tell me
'Why is there chaos?'

To this question He replied

'The Universe The Earth
and Humanity upon the Earth
are the outcome of infinite variables
you should understand
they are as they are
because it was never possible
for them to be any other way'
'And for you
Believe and also Trust in this
The hand that threw the first
still reaches out to catch the last'

At this I enquired -
'Is Jesus here that I may worship him?'

The young man replied
'He is not far from you my child'

I knelt to worship
and then I heard someone saying
'He's coming round
he's going to make it'
I opened my eyes
someone was pressing my chest
I was coughing up water
Someone else was saying
'We need to take off your shirt
open your hand
and let go of the ball.'

The ball chaos theory.

A child is playing with a ball on the pavement
their hand misses the catch
and it runs out onto the road
because the child's mind is occupied by playing
they run out after it straight in front of a car
Any Parent would choose to go after that ball
instead of their child
and any Parent would say
'How could God let this happen'
We cannot fully understand why God allows
so much that is wrong to happen in the world
or why instead of taking the wrong away
God chose in the person of Christ
to take upon himself
the uncertainty the suffering
and the grief of Humanity
When Jesus died on the cross
the ball that had run out onto the road
fell from his hand
'Jesus caught the ball
and the car ran him over'
this is the ball chaos theory.

I know this could be seen as simplistic.
But I've posted it because I believe there is
a few grains of truth in it.

Compliments

It is a compliment to be disliked by some people.

The Boxer

The Boxer

1. A Boxer stands in the ring
who has learned to accept the pain 
squaring up defying his opponent
to hit him again

2. Backed into a corner
devoid of all hope
being picked off at will
held up by the rope

3. A tirade of blows
rain down on his head
his opponent thinks he's finished
the crowd think he's dead

4. The fans are chanting
celebrating the win
when he turns like a panther
to connect with his chin

5. His opponent unconscious
drops on the canvas
celebrating with Dorothy
somewhere in Kansas

6. He walks to a corner
and patiently stands
until the Referee
raises his hands

7.  He commiserates with his opponent
acknowledges the crowd
then steps from the ring
neither humbled nor proud

8. When asked for a comment
at the end of the bout
He replies:
'No one is finished
until counted out'

9. 'When he didn't have the power
to put me away
he should have boxed
and kept me at bay'

10. 'Boxing's not a sport
Boxing's not a game
it's not about inflicting
but bearing the pain.'

Questions.

Nicky Gumbel interviews Tony Blair at Holy Trinity Brompton.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke of his personal Christian faith, his work in the Middle East and his vision for his Faith Foundation at a church event attended by 1,200 people on Tuesday night. 21st July 2009.

Tell me the mystery
the half light
of your dark fantasy
the black day
the white night
of amoral innocence

Tell me the truth
your truth made mine
and show me the proof
the proof ephemeral
animated in your mind

Tell me your mind
the clinical ambition
the gregarious charm
the sociopathic innocence
the earnest pernicious desire
the benevolent funeral pyre

It is not right for a man
to judge his worth
by denying worth to another

It is not right for a man
to injure what he cannot heal
or destroy what he cannot build

It is not right for a man
to kill like Cain
or die like Abel
killed in the twilight
of good overcome by evil

Hear the whisper of his blood
utter a bewildered sigh
for the innocents caught up
in our devious violent world.

Another repost.

"Thank you"

Abyss

He who gazes long into the abyss does not find that the abyss gazes back into him.
He finds that he is the abyss and the only abyss he can gaze into is the abyss of self.

The Question

The Question

My spirit is a stranger in a foreign land
wide eyed and bemused by linear time
in a galaxy in a grain of sand
tracing echoes of the divine

My soul in reconnaissance scouts the terrain
it's been around and here it comes around again
moving like a wheel within a wheel
capturing images of the surreal

My mind conceded long ago
at the foot of a mountain
I named - 'Things I cannot know'
on an outcrop I scrawled this graffiti -
'The answer is a question'

My heart is a boy lost in a wood
he thinks it's because he wasn't good
at first distracted in his play
until longer shadows strike his day
he begins to feel hungry lost alone
he cries out-"Father find me and take me home"

My body is my dwelling and my cell
too sinful for heaven too wounded for hell
a little lower than an angel
a little higher than a beast
an ebullience of life soon to be deceased

Sometimes
you think you have everything
and you have nothing

Sometimes
you think you have nothing
and you have the whole world at your fingertips

Sometimes
you get clean away
only to turn around turn around again
like a moth to the flame

Will tomorrow bring an answer
to yesterday's dilemma
the picture's not worth watching
I can't move the antenna
I'm in a dream state
paralysed but wide awake
and in this dream within a dream
events are not what they seem
walking on the mountain
drinking from the fountain
asking the question
receiving the answer
creates another question
why am I told
things I cannot hold
sitting up in my bed
I clasp my hands for molten lead

Such spiritual wickedness
in such high places
camouflaged by airs and graces
the pseudo-socio religious farce
in Sunday best and washed arse
and all the learning
and all the knowledge
and all the posturing
of science and art
have never and can never
wash one human heart

And my own heart is just as dark
and just as ready to kill
and less delusion and less pretence
will not make it white as snow
my knees may kneel upon the ground
but it's upon the mass graves below.

I wrote this a few years ago and decided to repost it.

Amanda Thatcher

"Let me tell you a story"

"There was a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When he had started calling in his accounts, a man was brought to him who owed him millions of pounds. And when it was plain that he had no means of repaying the debt, his master gave orders for him to be sold as a slave, and his wife and children and all his possessions as well, and the money to be paid over. At this the servant fell on his knees before his master, ‘Oh, be patient with me!’ he cried, ‘and I will pay you back every penny!’ Then his master was moved with pity for him, set him free and cancelled his debt.

“But when this same servant had left his master’s presence, he found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a few pounds. He grabbed him and seized him by the throat, crying, ‘Pay up what you owe me!’ At this his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and implored him, ‘Oh, be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ But he refused and went out and had him put in prison until he should repay the debt.

When the other fellow-servants saw what had happened, they were saddened  and told their master the whole incident.

Then his master called him in."You wicked servant!’ he said. ‘Didn’t I cancel all that debt when you begged me to do so?  Should you not have learnt from me to  take pity on your fellow-servant as I your master, took pity on you?  And his master in anger handed him over to the Jailer till he should repay the whole debt. This is how my Heavenly Father will treat you unless you forgive from your heart.” Jesus.  Matthew 18.

Deliquescence of hurt

Every relationship is on some level abusive.

Whether it is mental, emotional, psychological, spiritual or physical
We have a natural aptitude for hurting others and also for being hurt.

Unmerited unconditional forgiveness is the deliquescence of hurt.

A forgiving heart is like a vessel where the shards of hurt
distil into a  transforming new wine of healing.

The reason a parent will always love their child
is because a parent will always forgive their child.

The picture is of Charles Bronson.  p o h m.

Whet's in a Name.

The Superhuman

All that can happen to a human being in this world

Is happening moment by moment

Someone is being born someone is dying
Someone is being rescued someone is being killed
Someone is being comforted someone is being tortured
Someone is falling in love someone is learning to hate
Someone is full of joy someone is full of dread
Someone is in tranquil peace someone is in anguished fear
Someone is losing hope someone is finding a new beginning

This is the inherent sentience we cannot sense
This is the graffitied vision we cannot see
This is the background noise we cannot hear

In this moment is the feeling in the air
The essence of this moment is the Superhuman.

Hunky - Dory.

After the War in Iraq and it's ongoing aftermath.
The continuing embroilment in Afghanistan.
The Banking crisis caused by bankers pursuing 'paper profit' to boost their bonuses.
The billions of pounds of British people's money handed away to stop the banks going under.
Then as an encore the MP's expenses scandal.

We have this solution presented to us - 'Hammer the Poor'

It seems if the Oligarchs controlling the conglomerates with billions floating around the world economy are made aware that Mrs Smith in Glasgow has just turned her heating off
so that she can buy food - then everything will be hunky-dory.

I posted this on the 13th of May 2010, as people are now choosing between heating and eating I think it has become more current.

I've also changed my mind about the Banks. I now think what happened to the Banks
was an intentionally planned and deliberate act.

The rich are richer the poor are poorer and we are all much more controllable.

Learning things I do not know

I keep on learning things I do not know.
Every day I  learn new things I do not know.
Not that I understand them I just add them to the things I do not know.

Scotland and Europe.

The headlines on the BBC and in other media yesterday evening (16 February 2014) were highlighting comments from current European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who claims that it will be "difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.

This is not the first time that Mr Barroso's sentiments have been trumpeted in this way, and given that he repeats them regularly it will presumably not be the last.

So far none of the mainstream media reports have really questioned the basis of Mr Barroso's claim – a bizarre comparison between Scotland, which is pursuing a constitutional referendum on the issue of statehood, and Kosovo, which has attempted an unconstitutional secession. They have not reported what the Spanish government has actually said (as distinct from what it is being assumed or implied to have said). Nor have they pointed out that Mr Barroso's opinion cannot simply be taken as that of the European Commission, which has protocol on such issues, but is rather the personal viewpoint of a conservative Portugese politician with a particular agenda.

These are significant omissions. Even if they are eventually corrected, by online researchers and commentators if nowhere else, it is first impressions which sow seeds of doubt with many onlookers – as the well-funded anti-independence lobby, utilising the weapons of its self-titled 'Project Fear', knows all too well.

In Mr Barroso's argument, Scotland will be a new EU accession country and will require unanimous approval from existing member states. This will be "very difficult" because Spain is likely to oppose its membership in order to be able to thwart its own Catalan separatists. Such canards have, of course, been repeated and demolished several times already.

First, Scotland has been a member of the European Union as part of the UK for many years, and would be looking for continuity with current arrangements as an independent state whose existing broad legal, political and economic framework remains in line with EU requirements. It also holds potential for some 25 per cent of Europe's prime natural energy resources (36.5 GW of wind and 7.5 GW of tidal power) and in its own right would be one of the most prosperous nations on the planet. The idea that existing EU members would suddenly want to bar such a country from contributing to the European project and their shared wealth is politically unsustainable.

Second, the comparison with Kosovo is completely inappropriate. Spain has opposed the Kosovan membership bid. But why? Because Kosovo, which has never been a part of an EU member state (unlike Scotland), declared unilateral independence (unlike Scotland), despite the fact that the Belgrade constitution forbids the independence of any part of Serbian territory (unlike the UK in relation to Scotland).

Constitutional expert Graham Avery, the European Commission's honorary Director General, appearing before the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament, said in January 2014 that the position on Scotland in Europe taken by the UK government (and those who adopt postures similar to Mr Barroso) was "perplexing" and "absurd".

From Simon Barrow's Blog on Ekklesia.

Being Human

It is not possible to deny, diminish or invalidate the humanity of another human being.
But it is possible to deny, diminish and invalidate our own humanity by attempting to do so.

Law

From the law abiding, we have everything to fear.

Should the Earth ever become a cinder in space
such an outcome would be brought about by ordinary men and women
dutifully obeying bad laws and willingly going through pedantic procedures.