Sides are not where the Light is found
* * * *
Man claims knowledge is an answer.
Sirens call from rocky shores,
whisper beneath the crash of waves
promise to betray all the gods' know.
Future, past -- the repast --
make sure we are without error.
Often those who claim to be above
the dirty nose of gossip are the first
lining up to hear what is said.
Fear, the frost upon clarity,
steals vision when seeking wisdom.
Prayers, often, are coursed with efforts
to hold God accountable for our desire.
Perhaps, we are best met
when we seek to become at peace.
Use the subtle release of forgiveness,
allow ourselves to become free of pretense,
false knowing, slip out of our mental constraints,
humbly seek the Light and become true
seekers so God may open our ears and heart
for his blessings and Love. Here, we learn
how sanity’s logic can be a seducer of righteousness.
He holds his hands about our ears
protects us from false alarms, temptations
disguised as being on the winning side.
Lets us shine with all the Love we need.
11:32 AM
02/25/09
Alexandria, VA
Author notes
POM Contest -- Theme: God as Light & Love -- I used an epigraph. I did not count the asteriks as a line, nor my need to post and place of writing. If I am wrong, so be it. Otherwise it is twenty-seven lines exactly, not counting spaces. Couldn't resist the challenge. Oh well. 
In a list
A contest entry
- Poem of the Month - POM - by Bear by Arkbear.
1800 points, ended February 28, 17 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 43 of 43
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Wise and thoughtful. I really liked "Prayers, often, are coursed with efforts/to hold God accountable for our desire."
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Part of the pride and folly of man to believe that a God would beholden to man.
Thanks for taking the time to share what touched you.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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this is beautiful from you. i congratulate you on the bronze trophy you have earned and am so looking forward to reading more of your words. thank you for sharing this with me today. viyanna rosemarie
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Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed this simple poem of mine. May your life be full of grace.
love, Tom B.
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Congradulations on your bronze. Allow ourselvers to become free, I love that line, because it takes healing to get to feeling free. This was a pleasure to read.
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Thanks for enjoying my simple words. We all choose our path, in the end I would hope it is one that garners blessings.
Love,
Tom B.
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Superb
Ah, 'tis a fine write, indeed. You have expressed your thoughts quite well. Your poem reminded me of this phrase: God is un-conditional and non-judgemental love. This is a spiritual concept which I learned through "The Teaching of the Inner Christ." Here's a link to this spiritual teaching's website:
http://www.teachingoftheinnerchrist.com/ -
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Love non-judgemental, choice p -- ours -- in every action, wrong or right: We are given everything, all the tools and seeds. We are responsible for what we make in turn. We choose who guides us, how much we seek the light, face our fears, learn wrong from right. Responsiblity is not about who gets blamed, it speaks instead who has earned the right to his rewards and is wise enough to deserve to reap the full current of his actions.
Thanks. Sorry for the ramble. Glad you enjoyed my simple words.
Peace & Light,
Tom B. -
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I tend to agree. We attract into our individual lives the perfect right experiences/individuals necessary for our individual spiritual growth. There are no conincidences, at least in my spiritual philosophy.
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Congratulations on your bronze trophy, impressive stuff.
Floorboards.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Congrats!
Nice job! Beautiful piece.
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It is always a challenge to make the common feel uncommon, take a word and shift its meanings. Being totally unique often is a form of posture that become charicature in its efforts. Better perhaps to allow the use of the muse to refine and define so clearly ones own perspective that what is unique flows from the humanity of the soul writing. But, I ramble. Thanks for the compliment.
Love,
Tom B. -
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Your piece was beautiful - I really enjoyed it, it did leave a lasting impression. I guess, for me, it basically boiled down to so many 'religious-type' writes coming through these contests in the last six months or so - and us judges told to judge on/look for unique per the contest requirements, that many of us got a little confused on what we actually were to judge on for themes/uniqueness - in fact, many left being too confused to want to deal with the conflicting view-points. I myself got to that point.
I had no personal prob. with your write - like I said, it is a beautiful write. And I do, sincerely, congratulate you on your trophy.
best wishes
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I was stating a little of my understanding of uniqueness. At this point, I can only say thank you.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Hello & welcome to POM!
This is a wonderful piece ~ beautiful imagery meshed with a message that speaks gently to the hearts of readers. While it is a spiritual poem about God, it does not come off as "preachy."
I enjoyed the read, however, you and I both know spiritual writes are commonplace on AP and the theme isn't overly original -- but you've worked this piece so nicely, I couldn't really care how common the theme is Aside from the title, "Winning," not grabbing me totally (at first glance, I would figure it as merely an inspirational/encouraging piece), I really have nothing to critique here. Nicely done.
Thank you & best wishes in POM! My scores will be in the final comments. Please remember, no editing until after final judging.
~ Tim -
a lovely write my friend, my fave bit is this :
Fear, the frost upon clarity,
steals vision when seeking wisdom.
Prayers, often, are coursed with efforts
to hold God accountable for our desire.
i found this to be spiritual but also a *down to earth* write that i enjoyed very much, and i loved the way it is set out good luck in the contest with this spiritual treasure
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Thank you my friend. I have been watching my Meeting choose sides as a well liked couple is going through a break up. Alot of my feelings about the uselessness of choosing sides and how better it would be to serve them out of seeking the Light. But, I run on. glad you enjoyed.
Love,
Tom b.
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Welcome to the POM.
I would not click on this title - which is a shame. A lot of wisdom and beauty would not be read - you need a strong title for this, something to draw a person in to read it. Otherwise - it's a wasted effort, which is a real shame.
Your theme - religion - is very common. And, although this is beautifully done, it is more like an essay, or a spiritual lesson....and for these PO contests, they are focused mainly on 'unique'.
However, as I said above, this is a beautiful piece.
My scores will be turned in. Best wishes in this contest.
Remember: no editing once a judge has commented.
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I like it alot. like the "re-past" concept.... it made me think "what does he mean?" and i thought for a while. And liked it. Whatever it may mean.
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repast: a meal. When we try to pretend we know everything, even what the gods may think we are being arrogant fools. There you are.
Love ya
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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"false knowing" is the voice of self that relies on the five senses. The spirit that knows of the spirit is always a voice to bless if we have the desire to hear it. It's a lock that doesn't alway have an easy fit key, however. I'm finding how hard it is to let go without attaching strings.
~ Karen
(Can you imagine God on strings?....don't think so!)
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Learning to surrender -- give up my position on something, my ego attachment to a certain way, forget that I know what is right. I send forth my prayer and ask humbly for Him to gift me as He sees fit. It is not easy for me to do and I do not often succeed. But when I let go and let God the response has always been miraculous. In a funny way, it is miraculous that someone as arrogant as I can even do it at all.
Love, Tom B. -
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Good morning, sweet friend. I wasn't thinking of arrogance, but more of feeling separate and afraid at times. Now that you mention it, though, humility allows much better vision--and hearing, too. I so often get to entranced with looking into the problem, I forget the answer is not "IN" it. Thank you for your light, Tomis.
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Hello -
*crash of waves.....COMMA -
You have a dramtic Tone going....don't forget to slow me down and allow me to take advantage of it -
:)
Not sure why sirens are calling from rocky shores -
*become true seekers....COMMA..........and I would CAP *Seekers*
*about our ears.....COMMA.......-
Other than those few areas....this is the best write I have read in ths POM Contest.......so far -
Your descriptives and METS and Visuals are incredible......your wisdom is the light by which I read your thoughts......this will have to go down as one of Tomis's best.....as far as I am concerned :)
You have other Judges coming behind me....please be patient with us as we make our way to your work....good job Poet....thank you for entering & God bless,
Bear ~
***Perhaps, we are best met
when we seek to become at peace.
Use the subtle release of forgiveness,
allow ourselves to become free of pretense,
false knowing, slip out of our mental constraints,***Brilliant! *clappy*
Title 6.5....this is so sad to see this Title receive a score as low as that.....a nice MET capping this write would have clinched a 10.......maybe *wink* ....I would not click on this Title unless I wanted to read about this Genre.....however, after I read the work, it fits....but ohhh sooooo cliche'-
Flow 9.95....great Flow....your word choices created the Tone and made for Great reading! -
Depth 9.75.. depth is Great...you did not get a ( 10 ) because of the *Sirens on rocky shores* thingy -
Theme 9.75....a nice Theme, but ever so common on the Net...especially here on AP....however, penned with brilliance -
Feelings 10....hard to find me giving out a ( 10 ) in this category -
Grammar 9.95.. gorgeous grammatical choices...sirens though???-
Presentation 9.9....I enjoy a Poet who is not cliche'-format-intensive -
Uncommonness...9.55...creative approach..but I believe, this Genre is over-done and ready to take off the barby -
Sit & Ponder Affect 10.0...I did ponder....had to read it a few times...enjoyed it more each time -
Ability to follow Rules 10.0...perfect....nice job....however, if you are using asteriks as part of your Tone & Flow....then we do count it.....but no one really would have thought I would.....so no deductions
-Bears Score: 94.35
Excellent job...no editing once a Judge has touched your work please -
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Often those who claim to be above
the dirty nose of gossip are the first
lining up to hear what is said.
How true this is Tomis! Thankyou for sharing your wisdom with us. Another magnificent piece.
Be safe
Sue
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This was my quip and probably an un-needed dig except when we truly stand in the Light we lose our positionism, our holyier than thou stuff, our ego, we surrender -- not to give up -- but to let go and let God. 'nuff said.
Love, Tom b.
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As humans, most of us tend to blame some one else for our troubles. It becomes an easy way out so to speak.
I have bookmarked this to read again
Thank you for sharing
Juls
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It is funny. Humans focus on themselves when it comes to "What I want" but it is always somebody elses fault when it comes to "What I am responsible for."
Love, Tom B.
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I love every line of this...SO touched am I by this piece
I loved this stanza :
"Perhaps, we are best met
when we seek to become at peace.
Use the subtle release of forgiveness,
allow ourselves to become free of pretense,
false knowing, slip out of our mental constraints,
humbly seek the Light and become true"
Sigh~
Lynda
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"Peace is not an end it is a way. Peace is active and transitive. It begins as a seed to become a continuing blossom. Most descriptions of peace sound like life as a lotus eater or being boring as hell. Peace is a constant effort to create harmony where none existed and to continue to challenge the players with new songs to bring their hearts to. "
When we let go of our desire to protect ourselves when in the presence of God we can be humble enough to know we know nothing. Full of enough humilty to know we can learn what He would have us know. Any side we would choose to be on is meaningless before the Light of the Lord. His kisses bring forth angels.
Love, Tom B. -
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Even your replies are like a ray of sunshine and hope....
That is a gift few have and give away...Thank you...You are blessed as are we who are so fortunate to cross your path
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Thank you. I am struggling to make a living and take care of my family. At the same time I know I am called. So I do as I can. LIfe is an exploration of Love, the experienceing of Joy and the acceptance of Death. We have learned the world backwards and it shows.
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I enjoy epigraphs in a weird sort of way
You take religion in such a way that not many people can successfuly dispute it. God these days is mainly an arguement to be had between everyone and the religions people hand out these days. Its depressing.
But you made this so beautiful and upbeat its something that everyone can enjoy. Great write and good luck!
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We do not know the TRUTH. We guess and become arrogant to hide the fact we fear we might be wrong. I am simply saying that God does not choose sides, least the ones we have created. We learn best when we are humble and listen with humility for what little we may understand.
Love, Tom B.
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Tom , excellent as always, but you out did yourself with the line
"Prayers, often, are coursed with efforts to hold God accountable for our desire."
So true! Good luck in the contest.
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I wanted to create a sense of how we must be humble and accept that we don't hold the answers but seek them. How we must listen to our Higher Power with humility.
Love, Tom B.
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im moved
because i have been told that this is the lesson i need to learn...to seek to become at peace....such a hard thing to hand over, even to our Gods....i love this right, ty for writing this!!! -
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Peace is not an end it is a way. Peace is active and transitive. It begins as a seed to become a continuing blossom. Most descriptions of peace sound like life as a lotus eater or being boring as hell. Peace is a constant effort to create harmony where none existed and to continue to challenge the players with new songs to bring their hearts to.
Love, Tom B. -
I got to go to work. There is a lot to this. Like most things of the spirit the path is long, realization sudden. Life is an iceberg.
love, Tom B.
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"Future, past -- the repast --
make sure we are without error.
Often those who claim to be above
the dirty nose of gossip are the first
lining up to hear what is said."
that was my fav. really held my attention and made me look forward to what else you had to say. I can see i will be reading more by you, i like your work.
on a side note
may wanna make this a white background before they start judging!
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Thanks for all things. You might find more of what you like in my spiritual list.
Peace & Light,
Tom B. -
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i will take a look just as soon as im back from lunch. Im interested in reading more of what you have
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