Everything i did for you
Is not enough
The sacrifice i bid for you
Is not enough
Everything I've been through
I'd do it again for you
Everything I've bled through
I'd do it again for you
The things that i would die for
Is not enough
The things they took my life for
Is not enough
Wanted me on the side walk
Fighting a psy-war
You are the one that i try for
is not enough...
Everything I've been through
I'd do it again for you
Everything I've bled through
I'd do it again for you
I stopped thinking about me
When i think about you
I stopped thinking about me
When i think about you
Everything I've been through
I'd do it again for you
Everything I've bled through
I'd do it again for you
Heartburn and indigestion most unpleasant.
I knew better but ate it anyway.
Have only myself to blame.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Yahweh’s image! The crown of creation!
Got lured by the snake's words of elation
Did Adam and Eve wish to test their might?
Who deprived them of the angelic light?
Soon, omissions and commissions juggled.
To earn their living, each being struggled.
Friends became foes. Siblings became strangers.
Each day dawned with life-threatening dangers.
The prophets, saints, and martyrs came to save
And lead them far from the brinks of the grave.
Weren't these ways paved for the incarnation?
To cause, here on earth, true transformation?
Yahweh’s image! The crown of creation!
Did Adam and Eve wish to test their might?
The serpent’s luring words of elation
soon deprived them of the angelic light
Sins of omission and commission thrived.
Friends became foes. Siblings became strangers.
To earn their living, each being strived.
Each day dawned with life-threatening dangers.
The prophets, saints, and martyrs came to save
the fallen humans from the wicked death
and lead them far from the brinks of the grave
Didn't the creation yearn for rebirth?
Weren't these ways paved for the incarnation
to cause, here on earth, true transformation?
When rebellious thoughts screamed
Before the noise of life filled the quiet,
I now recall half-filled moments
Upon edge of spite
and an angry wind:
Unmoved by parental debates
This heart denied
pleas of atonement;
At eighteen, pride ruled
to cross over the night...
and walking out with a backpack,
Feisty senses burst
for sweet freedom's trail.
Feeling how ego scraped my life
As dove cooed of home's lullabye
My heels rushed back
with fresh reflection ,
Gentle air of surrender lingering within
A mistake transformed
into youth's blessing--
That through some willing desire
I began to wrap my hands...forgive;
Releasing the power of humility.
and I smile tonight, this arrogance a gift
Which tides me through...
most challenges of adulting.
Many times when we’ve fallen
We feel walking out of our room, sullen
Sometimes, it’s another way around
We walk out with a small trophy or crown.
The moment when our flaw rolls as Felix Culpa
We seemingly feel the spark of a good karma
And bringing along its prize in sweet vanilla
We'll say,” A blessing in disguise, Alleluia!”
Felix Culpa comes on our way with a quick rescue
Like a wheelchair picking us up without a clue
Despite our flaw, comes a miraculous grace
For we’re always drawn in God’s loving embrace.
It’s a clear reminder of Jesus Christ's salvation
Our ultimate end is so wonderful, offered by His redemption
Amidst our life’s tragedies, God has greater plans
Just trust Him completely and if we fall, we’ll stand.
Felix culpa is a Latin phrase that comes from the words felix,
meaning "happy,"lucky," or "blessed" and culpa, meaning "fault"
or "fall". In the Catholic tradition, the phrase is most often translated
"happy fault". Other translations are"fortunate fall" or "blessed fall".
God created humans flawed and weak
with the capacity of sin who often fall from perfection
so, in his forgiveness God can create
goodness out of evil
oh, happy fault
often our life is a series of unfortunate events
we seem to always be failing
no matter how much we battle to succeed it goes wrong
but, as we work with God's helping faith
we realize we can find happiness
oh, fortunate fall
in our relationships we experience deaths that
leave us broken with grief
weeping in pits of sorrow that we need to crawl out of
bruised by friends who betray us
disappointed with people we trusted
how did we arrive here, we ponder
but, God whispers put your faith in me
oh, blessed fall
Some time ago, when we were free to do;
ten I was, or twelve?
I walked along a misty lane to school
the etched patterns of ferns and trees
on my window when I awoke
now echoed in the frozen grass
and early ferns
being gently crushed
by each step I took.
The sun had begun its morning due
to warm the earth,
and generate the day's miasma mist;
as did the breathing of the gathering crowd,
which hung upon the hedge
of privet, hawthorn, yew,
to rest upon a thousand spider webs
a myriad of droplets dew.
And there it was
the spider
fat and yellow;
waiting.
Not in the shadows,
as the others I had seen
but, eight legs akimbo
in the centre of it's now opaque web
taunting.
I had a cricket in a matchbox
in my pocket
A prize from yesterday's
sweet forage.
I placed the wriggling insect
upon the web and watched
the attack
the bite
the wrap.
And so I write
Do you regret, when you make a mistake?
While I surely understand your concern,
do you know that you'll get an even shake,
a priceless education in return?
So, go ahead, and give yourself a break,
for it is life's fumbles that make us learn.
So say, "felix culpa" or "happy fault" -
there is no need for self-assault.
Tragically hurt, no longer content,
you find life comes without a guarantee.
All harmful things, you can never prevent.
Maybe, it is helpful for you to see
that each and ev'ry good and bad event
is the divine branching of your life's tree.
So, say, "felix culpa" or "happy fault" -
blest departures from the path of default.
When genes do not properly replicate,
It's not a problem, but a solution.
You might things it's a dirty word, "mutate",
but it's nature's brilliant contribution.
As the epochs and eons pass, just wait,
and you'll see glorious evolution.
So, say, "felix culpa" or "happy fault" -
without them, life on earth comes to a halt.
The Fall necessary for redemption
Exodus needed to reach Promised Land
The Cross before glory resurrection
Sometimes, evil's allowed by God's command
We need to fall to rise again 'bove pain
"Failure is the stepping stone to success"
If we do not commit mistakes, no gain
Sometimes, we don't learn lessons without mess
So, count yourself fortunate if you fall
"A just man falls seven times and rises"
Hurdles in the way won't cause your downfall
For Phoenix, out of ashes, arises.
I wonder if you were good,
Too good for me.
You love scattered with the morning breeze,
But I wonder if you were good.
I wonder if I was blind,
Blind to your selfish deeds.
You painted your desires on my lips,
But I wonder if I was blind.
I wonder if you cared,
Cared so hard you cried.
Your tears felt dry to my touch,
But I wonder if you cared.
I wonder if your hate was fortunate,
I’m fortunate to know true loathing.
Your words carved canyons in my skin,
But I wonder if your hate was fortunate.
I wonder if you were good,
Good enough to be a lesson.
You showed me love-stained fury.
Still,
I wonder if you were good.
Written for Ink Empress' 'Unwritten Absence' Poetry Contest.
C(ulpa)ble
Your unwritten absence unravelled much
Disrobing piteously your impure intent
Starkly exposing a ravaged soul as such
Cocooned in dark yarns of deceit, I lay spent
In golden gilded cage tarnishing from neglect
Plated with cosmetic veneer for society's consent
Yet, you were oblivious to the storm brewing, most perfect
Bidding the right time to sound its thunderous dissent
NEGLECT, tacitly accepted afore, HENCEFORTH NEVER GOES UNCHECKED!
Living within the madness
the echoes come and go
Channeling everything left unsaid
in phrases yet to know
Time suspended, barriers down
the walls come crashing in
Each voice a memory which haunts sublime
—that unforgiven sin
(Dreamsleep: June, 2023)
life’s precious fabric
unravelling strand by strand
Earth weeps
Who would praise a god of pestilence and death
make of the “grand inquisitor” their guest
while pounding “Mea culpa” on their breast
a fool’s concocted heaven as their quest.
While we add life to melancholy’s need
To scatter its unpollinated seed
Fearful of too long unquestioned creeds
That prey upon the weak to fill their needs.
For is it not the price the privileged pay
To serve a greater master every day
To chant in droning tone of donkey bray
Exalt the sun when skies are dark and gray.
Thus, do they stand in line still begging bread
Convinced all will be well when they are dead.
John G. Lawless
©12/7/2022
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