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David Meade Poem
Inspired by Andrew Wyeth Watercolor Painting -- Wind From the Sea, 1947
Standing in the old house
A strange mixture of feelings erupt within me
My roommates Depression, Loneliness, and Hopelessness
Greet me with strangling arms and leering grins
I don’t fight them anymore – somehow they are a part me
So together, in this house, in this room
We endure the somber solitude of the day
A sudden chill fills the room
Death enters – its foul breath chokes me
My three companions prostrate themselves
Pressure builds in my bowels
Bile rises in my throat
A heavy weariness fills my bones
He’s calling – hissing my name
I can’t breath
Death surrounds my soul – crushing me
I hear groaning . . .
Strange guttural sound -- it’s coming from me
Deep painful darkness fills me
I beg Death to take me . . .
Through the open window
A gush of wind enters
A sheer curtain hanging comes to life
It’s spirit lifts inwards and up beckoning me to dance
What is this wonder?
A limp ragged curtain – faded, stained, frail -- has life
Reaching toward me . . . frayed fingers of thread motioning
Old friends rush to me – Joy, Hope, Love
Death’s grip slips – I gasp a breath
Looking up I see the open window
Boarded by old bare wood, hard with age
I realize it’s daylight now – soft shadows
A curving road leading to the water
I can taste the saltiness in the wind
Trees in the distance
A calling from the sea
Seagulls, waves, laughter
Joy breaths into my nostrils
Leave this place – Depression cannot hold you
Simple pleasures I will give you
Cool breeze on a summer afternoon
Laughter of friends
A walk in the garden
A book
The Sea . . .
Depression laughs in my ears
Through that window lies heartache, treachery, poverty, misery
It will chew your insides up – blood will pour from your lips
Pain and suffering awaits if you leave this house
Death waits to take you home
An end to this constant noise – the peace of total emptiness
Another breeze and Hope fills my eyes with light
I see colors – vibrant alive filling me with warmth
Leave this place, take a journey to the sea
Let light fill you and be your guide . . . see -- opportunities abound
For laughter, love, forgiveness . . . for life – abundant life
See the rainbow upon the Sea
Hopelessness rushes toward me
Kisses my lips and whispers
Light burns and blinds
Enslaves you
They will see clearly your secrets
Spotlight focus – ridicule scorn . . . ugly disgust . . . self-hatred
Love rushes in and embraces me
Light, fresh, empowering
My heart leaps with pleasure
Arm and arm she leads me to the window
Much pain and sorrow – yes . . . also Love
A powerful love that transforms, refreshes . . . frees
Breathe deeply of the Sea air – fill your lungs
Go – you are loved deeply and completely
Looking out Looking in
David Meade
01/07/2015
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2015
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David Meade Poem
As a young boy
Sitting in a pew
The winter darkness pressing down
Candlelight waves from hidden drafts
Shadows danced on the walls
I heard the words destined to me
“Be still . . . know that I am God”
So I listen . . . eyes open
“The Passion of Christ”
I was gone . . .
I saw eyes . . .
Judas under the olive trees - Gethsemane
His eyes . . . cold, darting . . . filled with manic evil
Torchlights hissing . . . turning eyes yellow
Then a kiss and chaos erupts
I closed my eyes . . . suddenly afraid
Now I see a set of eyes . . . filled with burning hate
A High Priest screaming . . . B-L-A-S-S-P-H-E-M-Y ! ! ! ! !
All around ugly eyes staring with dripping contempt
Old men spitting with bared rotting teeth
Then I noticed . . . and . . .
And my heart ached . . .
Jesus . . . standing quietly with closed eyes
Then we were off to Roman authority -- Pontius Pilate
I saw his slanted eyes . . . squinting as if too much sunlight
Loud voices yelling outside . . . “Crucify him!”
In my heart, I cursed these people – but his eyes
His eyes were dark, soft – forgiving
A hand washing and we are walking . . .
To a hillside, a place called Golgotha – the skull
Empty eye sockets . . . a place of death
The eyes of soldiers hard, focused . . .
Spikes, woods – his sad eyes burning my heart
Closing my eyes, I heard a sharp gasp . . . soldiers yelling
“Lift”
As I opened my eyes – I was looking out with his eyes
We were seeing the same things
Angry faces with eyes of burning ashes
Taunting and jeering – a wave of hysteria hitting us
I heard and felt a deep groan
Fear gripping me – I knew instantly we needed to go
Now!
Men, women, soldiers, slaves, leaders, teachers
Eyes filled with blood lust
Evil, hatred . . . . I can’t breath
Death coming with the darkness
Jesus! Can’t you see . . .
Then I heard him whisper
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
My heart sank realizing with horror
Jesus is staying . . . dying
I felt his purposeful breathing
Muscles, bones, joints aching with a searing pain
My eyes filled with tears
I saw another set of bloodshot eyes
A voice next to me yelling
“If you’re the Christ, get down from the cross
And take me too! Let’s go!”
NO, NO!!! . . . What is he saying
Those are my words – I am sick
My stomach seizes . . . guilt fills me
I close my eyes
Another voice – on our right speaks
“Lord, remember me . . . “
Jesus painfully turns, twisting his body . . . looking . . .
He sees blue eyes – my eyes
I am hanging next to Jesus
“Today you will be with me in Paradise”
We were one – together . . . one body
Now separate crosses . . . I feel crushed by loneliness
But his words . . . “Paradise” . . . “today”
He loves me – I see him looking at me
His eyes illuminating my soul . . . it hurts
I tried crying out – I love you . . .
But only a sob squeaks out
Gravity pulling down pulling down
Eyes straining against the pain
Joints and ribs stretching . . . popping
Chest heaving for each breath
Body convulsing against wood
Head back . . . eyes wide open . . . he screams
“My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”
No one answers . . . surprised eyes
In my tears I felt the agony of the cross
The bleakness . . . hell
Dead eyes
Back in the pew
I heard the preacher
“He died for you”
What . . . why . . . no . . .
No, I don’t want you dead
Jesus?
.
.
.
Hey, wait for me – slow down
Running hard, breathing deeply
I stuck my head in empty tomb – hum??? . . . .
I sat quietly next to Mary Magdalene . . . wondering
The gardener spoke – “Mary”
But he was looking at me – bright eyes
He said . . . “David”
“David, I love you”
Yes!! Woo Hoo . . .
Look at me . . . I am dancing
With shinning eyes
“I love you too”
“I love you”
“Lord Jesus”
“I do”
David Meade
02/22/2015
Love Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2015
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David Meade Poem
“Peace I leave with you
my peace I give you
I do not give to you as the world gives
Do not let your hearts be troubled
do not be afraid” (John 14:27)
But I am scared
Blood runs down streets
Hatred, rage, violence dance
In a chaotic frenzy performance
of evil malice . . .
What do your words mean?
Are they void – empty promises?
Where is the peace in deafening explosions?
In the cacophony of rapid gun fire?
Screams of horror?
Tears of death???
“I am the resurrection and the life
The one who believes in me will live
even though they die
and whoever lives by believing in me will never die
Do you believe this?” John 25:26
Yes, I want too . . .
But fear creeps around my heart
Its cancerous fibers sinking deep – choking me
Doubts greet me in the morning
Panic sleeps in my bed
I am weak
Hear my cries of desperation
“Be strong and courageous
Do not be afraid
do not be discouraged
for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
Stay close – fill me
I cannot see –
Darkness surrounds me
Death, destruction, desecration, depression
Blood, bitterness, bile, blight
“I have come into the world as a light
so that no one who believes in me
should stay in darkness
If anyone hears my words but does not keep them
I do not judge that person
For I did not come to judge the world
but to save the world” (John 12:46-47)
I cannot begin to fathom this
How great is this love
Forgiveness over revenge
Peace over violence
Life over death
Love over hate
Help me I pray
“A new command I give you
Love one another
As I have loved you
so you must love one another” (John 13:34)
Love one another . . .
David Meade
11/18/2015
Love Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2015
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David Meade Poem
Our first awareness
falling through time
through blood-rain, pure white snow, green vegetation
down into deep earth
warm sunshine
cool wind
soaking rain
Energy flowing-up through our pod
each day we grew bigger
snug together with brothers and sisters
bursting our little cozy shell
then one day
a father and daughter
plucked us from the vine
stripped – we lay bare upon a tray
disorientated and tender but alive
a life force deep inside us
our skin soft but hardening
then sleep . . . waiting for the one
Daddy!! Come see the beans
They changed colors
I see brown ones with white specks
Yellow with black dots
Orange with blue stripes
But wait . . . there are three larger beans that seem to glow and vibrate
one is blood-red
another . . . brilliant white
the last . . . forest green
What does this mean daddy?
Is it evil?
No my sweet darling
These are special beans
Descended from an ancient garden long ago . . .
no longer of this world
It was a place of love and light
No death but a deep communion between mother earth and us
The three beans are: Peace, Purity, Prosperity
These beans will feed a starving world
Bring healing to the hurting
Laughter to the downtrodden
Hope to the desolate
Love to the unloved
Life to the dead
These beans hold deep magic
How do they work Daddy?
a worthy woman is chosen
who is humble of heart
strong in spirit
wise in love
Who is this lady?
the magic beans choose
they only appear to the one female
you, my darling . . . you are the one
Me? I am only a girl
I have none of these things . . .
the beans see deep within a soul
they never lie
they have chosen you
together you will change the world!
Daddy, I am scared . . .
I am shaking
I am not worthy
breathe deeply, close your eyes
put the beans in your mouth
Daddy, I taste sweetness
Molasses, ginger, caramel . . . now chocolate
I see visions upon the wind
Blood, wars, rage, yelling . . . unbearable things
yes, darling the evil is strong here
let the blood from the red bean flow
let it mingle with your love
it will defeat this evil and bring
healing and forgiveness . . . peace
The white bean is singing with my voice – Daddy!
Sweet is her song
I see merriment, laugher, dancing . . .
People hugging and holding hands
My tears are falling
Filling rivers with waters of light, love and purity
Joy reverberates from mountains peaks
From my open lips runs rich green sap
Deep does the earth drink
Big drafts of life and love
I see fields flowing with
Cream, honey, and wine
Trees waving to the sun
The earth is rejoicing
I see beans being planted
In a garden
A man and a little girl
yes, my Little One, soar now
fill the world with your love
fill the wind with your song
love generously
Such is the magic of these colored beans
David Meade
1/26/2015
Love Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2015
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David Meade Poem
I saw Love climb upon the wind
Heard the laughter in the breeze
Tasted lilacs, jasmine, and honeysuckle
With a turn and twist Love caressed my skin
The scent of dark chocolate filled my nose
A deep longing-hunger arose within me
Love was off again gathering the rain clouds
A shower of tears . . . refreshing
My parched soul drank deeply
Sweetness spread across my tongue
My body filled with Love’s offering
Now joyful tears fell from my eyes
A drowsiness overcame me and I slept
Love slipped into my dreams
Warm light cocooned me and filled my lungs
Bright colors danced upon my fantasies
An incredible energy pulsated throughout my body
Love took my hand and laughing -- we chased the light
Breathing hard I asked Love . . . this precious gift, why me? I am unworthy
Love answered: I Am the whisper in the wind
The Spirit of truth seeking and restoring . . . you are wholly loved
Of the mighty Kings -- Faith, Hope and Love
I Am the greatest . . . and you are worthy to Me
Go now and be Love . . . and know, I Am with you always
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David Meade
12/04/2014
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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David Meade Poem
Sitting by his bed
Labored breathing
Time is short
Holding his hand
A prayer – for him, for me
Be strong and courageous
Eyes blink open for a moment
Then nothing – gone
Tears flow
Skin relaxes
Death pallor forms
Alone in the moment
Alone
Cell Phone rings
My daughter in a panic
Fear spikes my heart
Dad – there are ants in the bathroom
Relief – exhaling
Death in the moment
But also Life
Life
Goodbye dear friend
Our time over
Your precious love and wisdom
I take
To guide my moments
My moments
To love
To forgive
To encourage
To live
Each day
Each person
In every situation
Compassionately
Boldly
Completely
In every moment
In
Every
Moment
David Meade
12/28/2014
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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David Meade Poem
As a young boy
I watch with interest the small man
Wolf Hunter - a wise father of the hunt
He begins an old ritual
coating his knife blade
rich animal blood and tallow fat
freeze
Wolf Hunter adds another blood-tallow layer
freeze
and another – freeze
A frozen tallow-blood knife
Wolf Hunter knowing the wolf
fixes his knife in ground
blade up
prays and leaves . . .
Grey wolf sniffs air and begins to run
blood is on the wind
he licks, tasting the delicious blood-tallow
He howls into the night and licks faster
a blood lust building
lapping the blade until the sharp edge bites
Feverishly now, faster and harder
Grey wolf licks the blade in the arctic night
great is his craving for blood
The insatiable blood-thirst
now being satisfied by his own warm blood
the naked blade biting his tongue
his carnivorous appetite devouring
In the pale morning light
Wolf Hunter finds Grey Wolf
dead in the snow
stooping down he picks up his knife
I stand . . . frozen – sicken by the sight
Wolf Hunter looking at me says
. . . to be consumed by your own desire
is a dangerous and deadly foe
Years later
staring at the bottle
hands shaking -- eyes filled with lust
a vison: a grey wolf consumed . . . dead
the howl of the wolf-wind beseeching
To be consumed by your own desire is a dangerous and deadly foe
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David Meade
12-12-2014
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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David Meade Poem
running to the rock
a strong tower against foes
her love a refuge
To strong women and their love
David Meade
11/20/2014
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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David Meade Poem
A vulture and owl
Solitary and predatory
Watch and wait
The wastelands
Scarred by driving winds
Baked hard by an abusive sun
Void of life, a deep emptiness
The silence of desolation
Eyes down, he enters
Withering in self-pity
Cut-off from intimacy
Breath reeking of desperation
Bones cleaving to his skin
Has A choice
w b
a i
s g
t c
e o
l u
a r
n a
d g
s e
Kill the pain Face the pain
Bondage Freedom
Bed of piss and vomit Bed of hope and redemption
Alone – Death Together – Life
What will he do . . . ?
A vulture and owl
Solitary and predatory
Watch and wait
To the struggling -- never give up hope!
David Meade
11/21/2014
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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David Meade Poem
golden earth tones
brown - sky blue - red yellow leaves
your love colors me
David Meade
11/23/2014
Live Generously
Copyright © David Meade | Year Posted 2014
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