A Walk to Remember

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. ~Mohandas Gandhi

Walking my dog one night, I saw this quote on the bumper sticker of a car; I wondered for a while about what it would mean. Thinking and referring to my bible, I realized that this is plainly stating the concept that God is flawless and man is not. Ironically, this has a lot to do with the novel we recently read: The Power and the Glory. People have so many imperfections and can push others away by their actions. On the other hand, Christ pulls so many people towards him because of his perfection. Although men accomplish many great things, the Lord is ruler of all creation and is much more powerful than human kind. He draws sinful people towards Him because He is the ideal vision. I believe that Gandhi is referring to the immense disparity between man and Christ: one is faultless and the other is the opposite. Human beings can be so greedy, egotistical and boorish while their Christ is full of love and grace. Gandhi is sharing his opinion on the necessary difference between Christians and their Christ. In reality, most Christians are aware of their faults and therefore depend on God's forgiveness to live a healthy life.

Nature's Touch

Please, oh, nature
Touch me with your beauty
Fill my lungs with fresh air
My nose with the scent of wildflowers

Please, oh, nature
Capture me with your beauty
Mesmerize my eyes with glistening water
My white skin with the scorching sun

Please, oh, nature
Make my mind wander with your beauty
Release my emotions with the serenity of the wind
My anxieties with the therapy of silence

Please, oh, nature
Take me with your beauty
And never let me go

Hidden Truth

a poetic response to the novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Hidden in the mind
Covered by the myths
A boy with a reputation
Yet a boy with potential
He is analytical
Systematic
Logical
Yet viewed from the world
He is troubled
Different
Atypical
He questions many things
Yet understands much more

Our world, our generation
So extremely judgmental
When something's not right
Unusual
Curious
It appears imperfect
Unworthy
Disgraceful
But hidden under the myths
We find the truth

And so we have this boy
With a vast facade
Because he dislikes yellow
And hates to be touched
But under the mask
Is a human with a mind
Feelings
Integrity

The Mestizo: Another Judas

a response to The Power and the Glory

In the story of the passion, Jesus admits to one of his disciples that he will soon betray him. The man is Judas, Judas Iscariot, and immediately after hearing the news of Jesus' crucifixion, he was overwhelmed with pride and turned his master in for only three silver coins. Such a cheap trade, for such a powerful and forgiving man. Jesus was a savior, a redeemer, a rescuer and for only a small price, was turned in to the authorities, who then, in order to fulfill scripture, crucified him.

This is a similar event to one in, The Power and the Glory, a parallel novel to the passion. While a whiskey priest is escaping to Carmen, his home town, he comes upon a mestizo. He is sick with a fever but cannot help noticing the priest's "priest-like" features. The priest, representing Christ, realizes the horrible condition that the mestizo is in and allows him to tag along on his journey. “This was the pride, devilish pride, lying here offering his shirt to the man who wanted to betray him. Even his attempts at escape had been half-hearted because of his pride – the sin by which the angels fell.” (95) This quote is a turning point in the priest's life. He has just told a poor sick man that he is a fugitive priest and that the reward of five hundred pesos is still on the line for the man who turns him in. The mestizo says that he would never turn the priest in, but the priest is aware that he is in the presence of Judas, the betrayer.

The Mindset of a Mother

Author's Note - This is a poetic response to the novel, The Bean Trees. When Taylor Greer -- a young adult who has just taken on her independent life -- decides to drive away from her hometown, in search of a new beginning, she is struck with a whole new world: motherhood. The already big change of moving away has just been made tougher, with the new responsibility of caring for a child. She is confused and this poem digs deeper into her mind; what exactly was going through her head during this time?

How can I take on
Yet another responsibility
Of a small human life
When I was just given my own

Brand new to this world
My eyes have barely opened
When another is introduced
The world of motherhood
I was just the child
Now I have to care for one
I just left my mother
Now I have to be one

I am supposed to love this child
Like my own flesh and blood
But how can I do that?
When, truly, she is not

Confusion fills my brain
I am full of questions
What makes a good mother?
Do I have what it takes?

I look into the child's eyes
Beautiful and full of youth
Her gentle hands
Rub against my face
She deserves better
But then again,
I am the only chance she has
And she may be the chance I need

Right now I feel nothing
Maybe I will soon?
All I can do
Is love her
Hold her tight
And never let her go

True Identity

a response to The Bean Trees
There are many people in this world who choose to hide under a mask in order to keep themselves from reality. For some, this is because they are unhappy with the person they’ve become but for others, they feel worthless and find no reward in revealing themselves. In the novel, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, the concept of true identity comes into play; this book is filled with characters who keep their true persona hidden. They do this in order to maintain a decent reputation, when underneath, they are actually hurt, alone and confused. Kingsolver is trying to warn us about the dangers of living an isolated life.

Imagine if the whole world were hidden under one huge cloak; we would never be able to recognize people by their true identity. Despite the pain it may bring, people have to learn to openly express themselves. By exposing yourself, the door that allows others to help you, is unlocked. This is a well-learned lesson by one of the main characters, Taylor Greer, when she meets another young mom, Lou Ann. They were both hidden away -- trying not to let anyone know they were troubled -- but when the met each other, these women honestly discuss their lives in the most sincere way. Lou Ann and Taylor released theirs masks and because of this, they were able to rescue one another from their buried lives. True identity is nothing to hide. If you are unhappy with the person you are, holding on to your agony is not the right thing to do. Do not be afraid to show yourself to the world, to reveal yourself, to cry for help. You never know, the answer to your call may be a rescue.

"Save Me" by J.J. Heller

Living
Am I really living
Or am I just existing
Hiding away
Danger
The world is full of danger
But if I never try to go outside
My heart will waste away
Come and save me
You’re the only source of peace I need
Come and save me
You tell me life will not be pain free
What will be
Will always be in your control
Darkness is light to you
And all you ask me to do
Is trust what you say is true
You are stronger
Than any terrible possible scenario today
Come and save me
You’re the only source of peace I need
Come and save me
Click here to listen to this song!

Let Him Shine

The sky is dim
It is dark
Many are terrified
Others are comforted
By the light that hides
Beneath the dark,
Murky clouds
The blackened atmosphere
Doesn't scare them

A sudden light
Scares away the darkness
All are comforted
Released from their fear
By the bright, hopeful sun

But in reality
It is not the sun that saves
It is the son
The one and only son
Given to us by
The one and only God

Are you trapped?
Let God shine through your clouds
Allow Him to separate you
From the dark clouds
That still lurk in your life

The Beautiful Wedding

Tears fall down

The cheeks of friends and family

Happy tears of congratulations

Sad tears of letting go

To the girl that used to play dolls

And dress up like a princess

But no longer is she young

She's grown older

She's fallen in love

A group of people sit around

To witness a celebration of love

They feel the slight breeze

The vineyard scent fills their bodies

She walks down the isle

Hand in hand with her father

She used to call him hero

But a new hero has entered her life

She's found a soul mate

She's found a companion

Slowly she walks towards him

Nerves cause his hands to shake

He takes in her beauty

I do, I do

They both say with confidence

The rest of their lives

Laid out in front of them

With those few, but special words

The bells ring

The lovers lips meet

A kiss they will never forget

Together they will be

For the rest of their lives

A beautiful event

For a beautiful couple

Who will live a beautiful life

People cheer and clap

This is it

A young girl

All grown up

She has dreamed of this day

Her whole life

The couple retreats

Hands united

Her veil blows in the wind

The sparkles in her dress

Twinkle in the sun

She looks like a princess

Like the ones she used to dress up as

Riding off with Prince Charming

Into the sunset

A beautiful thing

This thing called a wedding

Just a few hours

Representing an entire life time

Forever and always

Leaving the Zoo and Entering Reality

During a person's childhood, they can either learn how to sustain a life outside of their home, or they can spend their entire life living in luxury. At the time, being wealthy may appear like the better option but in the end, it is more satisfying to know you have the ability to set a goal and work towards it.

This type of situation is exactly what Pi Patel describes in the novel, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Many of Pi's animals have spent their entire life living in the zoo, daily receiving food and water, and he explains that if they were to be set free into the wild they were sure to die within days. He states this with confidence because he knows they would be unable to provide for themselves -- unable to survive on their own.

On the other hand, he describes how some animals would last a lifetime if they were returned to their natural habitat. Why? Pi says it is because his family has taken many animals away from their home and placed them into captivity. If a person grows up never once having to do chores, then they will enter the real world and suffer. For example they may not be able to independently do laundry or effectively clean the kitchen.

Like a turtle leaving its shell, the first time you leave your home will be difficult, but for those who spend their life training for reality, the experience will be more rewarding. We, as people, are the animals of the zoo. For many, leaving home means gaining freedom but for others it means losing their freedom and entering a mysterious world they won't survive in for more than a day.

Breaking Free from the Opinions of the World

First impressions – they can make or break us. But why? Why should we care what others think? Why should we change the way we live, just because our favorite movie star did? Unfortunately that is what opinions have become in our corrupt world; they change the way we look at ourselves. Celebrities, television and magazines have changed our thoughts on what “fitting in” really means. This world has taken advantage of delicate minds and filled them with this idea that in order to be happy you have to be a certain weight, have a certain style of hair, or wear a certain style of clothes. Our bodies need to be freed from these worldly standards. The burden of always wanting to fit in needs to be lifted of our shoulders. No one, except for ourselves, should care how we live our lives – it’s our lives – and we need to have the freedom to design our own lifestyle.

What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger

Going through life worrying about every little thing that may cause anger or controversy, is unhealthy. Living a healthy life involves paradox; you need both happiness and sadness, love and hate. Too much of one concept, or living with no emotions can lead to a life of emptiness. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451, the idea of avoiding pain, in order to live a flawless life, comes into play. When Beatty visits Montag’s home, he lectures him with a history lesson about how the world came to be. He tells Montag that staying away from topics that may cause discussion or talking about one’s feeling will result in your life being perfect – this is very untrue. “So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores in the face of life. The comfortable people only want moon wax faces, poreless, hairless, and expressionless.”(p. 83) Throughout this scene, Bradbury is warning us to fear people who will try and convince us that having no emotions is best. Beatty encourages Montag not to read books in order to stay clear of dealing with life’s problems. The truth is, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger -- it builds character. In the end, feeling nothing is worse than living a normal life and dealing with the difficulties that may come your way.