Lucifer

"Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in heaven."

A thousand, million years had fled
then thousand million more,
yet it was still the morning.
And there stood one, Transcendent,
whom we call God and the Divine,
whose reasoned might 
stretched to clutch infinity—
and embraced eternity’s nether bounds 
to fashion perfect round—
beginning's instant fused 
with very end of things
that time endured no more.

Thus evening interlaced with morning,
from whose conjugative spawn emerged
a cosmic realm, its structure fine,
yet restive, taut and yearning.
Here coherence mingled self with
destiny, and thus arose intelligence.
Among its legion offspring,
daughters of the light
and one the son of morning,
a paragon of intellect—
in depth and reason boundless,
beautiful and firm, named Lucifer.

Beloved of Transcendence and
from whom the mighty angels
fled, nobility confounded.
Across mighty heaven’s parapets
he reasoned and opined.
And many thought him noble.
Yet temerity cannot assail wisdom
nor petulance conjure faith.
He, his mighty acolytes then stood 
and cried aloud, trumpeting insistence,
and became among the first
whose grasp did not exceed their reach.

And war ensued—
A war of vaunted intellect, 
but also narcissistic,
and rooted in deceit.
For he would exercise free will to battle,
then in victory rob all of its gift.
Therefore a quandary stood 
that would not reconcile with reason.
Defeated, Satan stood no more in heaven.
Godly was their sorrow when he fell.
Now in our eyes and hearts and minds
do not echoes of the war resound?

First Place: Julia Ward's Contest: Expand Arthur Miller's Thought from The Crucible (quote above).
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Dietrich Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:53 PM
just googled it and found it in Revelation 12:4. where it is believed by most christians that the 1/3 "stars" that fell represent angels who became demons. Hmmm
Dietrich Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:50 PM
wow, you use such eloquence in writing this, Mark. With my Mormon background, I could understand it very well, but I think were it not for that, it might be a bit puzzling to me. I shall wonder till my death if there really was an army of 1/3 the host of heavens going against the rest of us and led by Lucifer. I do not think any other religion has that theology, do they?
Peterson Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 8:07 PM
I wonder what form the battle took. Spirit against spirit so maybe wasn't physical. More like a very spirited (pun intended) debate, attempting to reason on behalf of their perspective. Thanks for giving it some extra thought.
Dietrich Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:46 PM
I see this won with Julia several years ago. I was searching in your best poems for something of yours to read. So let me see what you had to say about Lucifer. I think he is Laughing his ass off about now in this time of our history.
Peterson Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 8:04 PM
I think he is exceeding his wildest dreams and finds his success most gratifying. Thanks for taking a look.
Gauthier Avatar
September 9, 2018 at 8:23 PM
Congrats on your win, Mark.
Ward Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 11:58 AM
I am inserting for the benefit of this top win poem, but also for the others, Arthur Miller's quote from "The Crucible":"Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in heaven."
Ward Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 12:51 PM
I was just putting a note in, but you've put it above the poem as well, so that's fine.
Peterson Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 12:34 PM
Julia, I wasn't sure what you wanted me to do. I edited the poem. Would you take a look and tell me what do? Thanks.
A   Avatar
March 15, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Hi Mark, Congrats in Julia's contest.. interesting topic. Love LINDA
Peterson Avatar
March 15, 2016 at 1:01 PM
There you are, Linda. So happy to see your image appear on my page. And many many thanks for your support of my work and that of others on the soup, which you so tirelessly pursue.
Dofredo-Wyatt Avatar
March 12, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Congrats on your win! I love the way you wrote this. Well done!
Peterson Avatar
March 15, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Clinton, I am so pleased to meet you. Thanks for your read and comment, which I very much appreciate. I'll stop by soon and read your work.
A. Sharma Avatar
March 10, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Congrats on ur awesome winning poem Mark.. much deserved top podium.
Peterson Avatar
March 10, 2016 at 1:23 AM
Dr. Sharma, my it's been awhile. I appreciate your kind words so much. Thank you.
Raven Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Hi Mark, Congratulations on your 1st place in the contest. Thos write just sings into the mind painting such divine visions. This is a top rating seven and it has to go into my faves....Vlad.
Peterson Avatar
March 10, 2016 at 1:27 AM
Vlad, I'll treasure your rather amazing comments about my poem here for a long time. I must come and read yours.
Delaney Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Congratulations, Mark: A beautifully written poem. Will A'd it to my favorite list to read again. So much understanding and wisdom in these lines. Best, SuZ
Peterson Avatar
March 10, 2016 at 12:18 PM
SuZ, thanks so much for your comment. You honor me with your sentiments and fave. I'll stop soon to read verses, which I always do with new visitors.
Lawless Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 4:05 PM
Congrats on the top spot Mark. Nicely done.
Peterson Avatar
March 10, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Thank you, John. Yes, it's hard keeping up with everyone, and I've lost track of a few who were special to me.
Jerden Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 9:38 AM
Well done, Mark! Your classical style fits the theme perfectly. Congratulations.
Peterson Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Thanks, Roy. I deeply appreciate this comment and am continually honored by your support of my work, both here and on Facebook.
Smith Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 8:13 AM
Great last line! Terrific win congratulations Mark, well done
Peterson Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 12:08 PM
Thank you so much, Charlie. Can't wait to read your work. Don't know how the Stephen got in there.
Ward Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 2:57 AM
Yours was placed first out of the twenty-seven entries into my contest, so congratulations, Mark! I appreciate the clever lines you wrote here.
Ward Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 4:41 AM
Oh, I paused about where to put some placements, but not on yours. Julia, x
Peterson Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 3:45 AM
Julia, what an honor. Of course, I'm pleased, but the work of others is amazing and worthy of equal notice. Thanks for sponsoring this contest, which I worried over considerably.
Pennell  Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 2:47 AM
wow, well done congrats on your win
Peterson Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 3:46 AM
Thank you so much, Stephen. Can't wait to read your work.
Dunn Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 6:01 PM
Dear Mark Awesome story, love the depth of this work, simply amazing, glad I stopped by, and by the way I'm not a football fan, either way I wrote the cowboy poem for my sister poet destroyer, because it was her favorite team, thanks for the comment though, you take care, cheri
Peterson Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Thanks, Cherl. I appreciate that you took the time to drop over for a look. I appreciate the clarification on football. I'm a fan, but, in the end, it's just a game, and it doesn't rule my life.
Manassian Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 8:42 AM
This is a fantastic poem....I really don't know how you used such words to weave this story for us. I'm doubfounded. I could never write this way. It's amazing....and true! What an ending....there is a spiritual battle going on around us....Very true. I hope your project goes well. What an honor you've been given. Wish I could have a tutorial from you and learn all about the heavens. :)
Peterson Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 9:33 AM
Eileen, you have honored me so deeply with these remarks. Thanks for putting forth the effort to grasp the deeper meanings of this poem. I have provided a glimpse of the heavens via telescope to tens of thousands. I never weary of their astonishment, particularly when viewing Saturn, which is too beautiful to be real. We are blessed.
Lindley Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 9:46 PM
Another fine gem floweth from your pen my friend. A7 Adding this to my fav list. Thanks.
Peterson Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Wow, what an honor, Robert. Thanks!
Carter Avatar
February 21, 2016 at 3:21 PM
This is excellent...very thought provoking
Peterson Avatar
February 21, 2016 at 3:25 PM
Daniel, thanks so very much for the quick reply. It's so convoluted, I thought it might be crap.
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