tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13721033649811607482024-03-12T18:49:48.912-07:00P J HerefordWelcome!
This site is dedicated to those disposed to thoughts on paper. You are invited to post appropriate literary comments, poetry, short stories, literary art from your mind-speak. Hopefully my prior review will never prevent a post. This is to encourage thoughts from all ages as gifts to the populous from their heart. Thank you for your kind attention; now please present.Peter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372103364981160748.post-9432421733178500572014-11-28T17:05:00.000-08:002014-11-28T17:08:51.507-08:00Dream PoemOn November 8 at 5:30 AM, I awakened with the following complete poem in my dream/sleep. I quickly went to my desk and wrote it down before forgetting any of the poem's stanzas. This poem reflects my fond desire to retire aboard and cruise until the Triune Admiralty pipes me aboard His own<br />
flagship.<br />
<br />
<br />
A MARINER'S PRAYER<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Teach to me of Thy pebbles, rocks and sea washed stones<br />
Teach to me of Thy wind and waves of my watery home<br />
<br />
Teach to me of my ocean bark o'er spewing foam<br />
Teach to me of Thy boiling depths and watery dome<br />
<br />
Teach to me of Thy thundering tides to which I roam<br />
Teach to me the sound of the luff and sheeting drones<br />
<br />
Teach to me the length between knots and the sharpening hones<br />
Teach to me the height of the sun at the noon-day zone<br />
<br />
TEACH TO ME THY HAND IN ALL THY CREATION<br />
THEN, DEAR FATHER,<br />
TEACH TO ME THY WILL IN ALL MY EVERY DESTINATIONPeter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372103364981160748.post-40561015656466198122014-06-13T18:43:00.001-07:002014-06-13T18:53:07.984-07:00The Knight and the Jew<span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">P.J. Hereford at 1:50 May 18, 2014</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">The final aria in Act ll scene 2 by Rudolph, the knight and page to Frederick Barbarossa while on the Third Crusade, in the exchange between the Jew and the knight, from the opera "DIE EHRE EIN" (The Honor of One) </span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">As he bound himself he secured his end</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Where is freedom under your law?</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">You killed Him who came to fulfill and amend </span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">That magnified code you call law</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Were I to believe in your hide-bound state</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Surly I too would die.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">For as you believe so will be your fate;</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Unrepentant sin is death to deny</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">I grasp this vessel and yet I live.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">For me there is no curse.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">For me there is no sin to forgive;</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">As meat to idols you still stand accursed</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Go back to your trials and self imposed burdens.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">But mark me, you're toiling alone.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">What debt was incurred by God toward man,</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">For which you expect Him to humbly atone?</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">You are sadly lost in your lexicon of law</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">As evidenced here today.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">His death, my life, challenges me with awe</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">That the ultimate price be paid.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">This cup will be taken regardless of use</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">And rendered for Christ's faithful.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">I can vouchsafe; there will be no abuse,</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Upon my life most awful.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">The chasm between us is bridged by grace.</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">We are divided by your law and its works,</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">Which will never suffice nor ever replace</span><br style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #441500; color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.032001495361328px; text-align: justify;">The freely bestowed bounty of Heaven's Divine Clerk!!</span>Peter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372103364981160748.post-4180630937953238052013-04-19T10:38:00.003-07:002013-09-01T19:43:15.396-07:00A Jewish Lullaby from Act I Scene 2 of the Grand Opera "Leibe Macht Frei"<div class="comment-content" id="bc_0_0MC">
The lullaby taught by Aaron (14) to Lucia (8) from the libretto in Act I Scene 2 of <u>Liebe Macht Frei</u> a Grand Opera in three acts and nine scenes as he overhears her coaxing her baby dolly to sleep: <br />
<br />
You cannot command a baby to sleep<br />
But lull her with quiet and song<br />
She will close her eyes in slumber so deep<br />
Held fast by arms made strong<br />
Carrying the weight of God's Scriptures <br />
night and day<br />
In practice as well as in thought<br />
By mothers and fathers obedient to say<br />
"I'll teach you what I was taught."<br />
<br />
This is the lullaby sung to me <br />
I'll remember it until I die.<br />
Some day I'll sing it to my own baby<br />
With my true love standing by<br />
And share the secrets of a mothers prayer<br />
In keeping with Jewish tradition<br />
Forever faithful, always there<br />
Behind me in quiet petition<br />
<br />
"When your eyes are open<br />
True light is dim, <br />
But slumber brings clarity<br />
And quiet within.<br />
<br />
Busyness worries and cares <br />
Of the day<br />
All hinder God's message <br />
So now let us pray.<br />
<br />
Oh God of our fathers<br />
To this child bring sleep<br />
And into Thy bosom<br />
Forever to keep.<br />
<br />
So, close your lids gently<br />
With peace from above <br />
And wake from your rest <br />
And walk in God's love.<br />
<br />
Tell me now, tell me true<br />
Did that song work for you? <br />
Did you sleep every time?<br />
I wish I knew such a rhyme<br />
<br />
If you teach me what those <br />
pretty words say,<br />
It will be a secret I will<br />
never betray.<br />
We can be friends, you can <br />
use my bat.<br />
Why do you wear that little hat?<br />
<br />
P.J. Hereford -1999</div>
Peter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372103364981160748.post-78326479330914794952013-03-22T10:11:00.001-07:002014-06-13T19:03:10.603-07:00Editorial<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh it's only a _______________!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hear the fearful hum of over four thousand ultrasound machines in one country alone heralding the wanton murder of over half the children conceived and thus investigated. I lay crying on the hillside exposed, unkempt and undressed---now silent. I grow among families who deceive my trusting eyes and countenance subjecting me to such abuse that even the Sovereign Creator noted the unspeakable offense and His awesome detailed punishment. I must wait patiently among my peers to be chosen-- hopeful for an endearing, even committed love, unconditional consideration, peace, safety and protection, hope, joy, even comfort; all of which are requested if not demanded of me, and many times rarely received or returned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I toil night and day as expected, rearing, teaching, and tolerating infantile, immature, and inappropriate behavior from children as well as adults in societies that have never heard of, nor understood the concept of "headship in the family," let alone the passe qualities of discipline, leadership, accountability, character, and integrity, to name only a few. Soon after, I am left in fear to forage alone forcing me to compromise for life itself and that of my children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regrettably, I have had to equally accomplish every position of employment in the world, though woefully foreign to both my call and choice. My name is even destined by convention to be lonely by divorce, the so-called empty nest, or death of my spouse. If I am allowed to live, I die yet alone unfortunately possessing that which I despise and others desire, exclusive of myself. Yet, I am greatly desired and maintained throughout my entire existence by my gracious Saviour, Jesus Christ, who snatched me up out of the morass of evil to which his beloved are exposed. I am an infant girl, a virgin, a young maiden, a lover, a wife, a mother. I am a woman, chosen and created by my Creator for His perfect will. </span></div>
Peter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372103364981160748.post-10203325761306250022012-12-31T18:00:00.002-08:002014-06-13T18:55:52.910-07:00Twilight<br />
August 5th 1:30 AM 2000 After finishing Seamus Haney's new translation, "BEOWULF"-----P.J. Hereford<br />
<br />
TWILIGHT<br />
<br />
When the sky-day fire<br />
slips into earth's toothy mouth,<br />
momentary untrue colours surround.<br />
<br />
Day-mind work slows and <br />
bends back to me,<br />
threshing my thoughts.<br />
<br />
Worry's wild wind races away<br />
with the chaff, burnishing<br />
the boulders of truth as they fall,<br />
God, family, self.<br />
<br />
The dim rays of day's end<br />
give forgetful man a fleeting chance<br />
to tally the time gift.<br />
<br />
This hour's quiet stillness shouts<br />
to all men, but few hear its whisper<br />
above the tumult.<br />
Seek Me, with them, for you.Peter Jack Herefordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16359738070667518629noreply@blogger.com0