Long Gone Phrases (Phases of Yesterday) by Michael Doyle
I'm not sure where this story should begin It doesn't matter - the color of your skin And what you care to believe Matters not as much as you don't deceive
There are jokes enough to not like all But it's worth remembering and to recall That ordinary people are basically the same Yet, unique, regardless of surname
Of the phrases I'm glad to hear That have managed to disappear Maybe the ugliest that I fear Is that there is no place for you here
Nobody deserves to feel the neglect All of us need a little honest respect Especially when we have earned This right as it should be is easily discerned
It's been all in playing the long game Learning to choose better and not to blame It's in learning to think and not just say That's what's needed to complete our way
Of the phrases I'm glad to hear That have managed to disappear Maybe the ugliest that I fear Is that there is no place for you here
Tribes and types often prefer their own But that's a slur to which we must atone We are essentially one and the same kind This is evident to all but the blind
There's no room for all this ugly hate No god would ever make his people's fate In closing the door on what should be We close the door of the best possible could be
Of the phrases I'm glad to hear That have managed to disappear Maybe the ugliest that I fear Is that there is no place for you here
(c) July 27, 2024 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
A question awaits every believer Is God or Is God not a deceiver From this point, we'll need evidence Conclusions must be drawn based on relevance
Is the Earth young? Or Is It Old? Are we to believe our eyes or what we're told? We are told to pursue the truth to be set free God has said it, that's good enough for me
Why we pretend to know things that we don't Makes little sense, and I know that it won't God could have made the world with any appearance But I don't believe He'd deceive us as His adherents
So then, what is it that we should do? I believe that we look for answers, clue by clue If, as we know, we are precious in His sight Wouldn't He want us to get things right?
I don't know why this causes apprehension Life as we know it comes down to comprehension Didn't Jesus tell us about 2000 years ago That there was greater truth than his disciples might know?
Why we pretend to know things that we don't Makes little sense, and I know that it won't God could have made the world with any appearance But I don't believe He'd deceive us as His adherents
It doesn't seem to be all that demanding To explain the important things needed for understanding In explaining life to children, we keep to simplicity Why confuse them further with life's complexity?
So, also, we know that the Bible was written in another age Where bats and birds are grouped together on the page The ways of yesterday are different from those today Perhaps there are many things that might be seen this way?
Why we pretend to know things that we don't Makes little sense, and I know that it won't God could have made the world with any appearance But I don't believe he'd deceive us as His adherents
(c) July 26, 2024 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
On this roller coaster of love It's sometimes hard to keep track of Who's the saint, and who is sinning Too many complications can set things spinning
Throwing in the towel isn't how it's done Not if you're fighting for your golden one If only some words were kept inside our heads Things would surely go easier instead
Instead of looking for the greener other side It's better to cultivate the garden in which we abide There is much to be said about habits of excellence And having the stability that comes with persistence
So much gossip and moments of deception Seems the modern way of ready reception Of making scenes that are unnecessary A Life lived in this way feels so contrary
Why not seek each other with integrity Let's do these things that build affinity Instead of testing each other down at the knees Let's share a loving cup of well-needed empathy
Instead of looking for the greener other side It's better to cultivate gardens in which to abide There is much to be said about habit of excellence And having the stability that comes with persistence
We seek understanding and a little grace From those we willingly seek to embrace And if this is not to be earnestly had It's to time move on, however sad
We still have our lives to fully live And the mistakes of life, we need to forgive The chapters of our lives are written Even when these become venomously bitten
(c) July 25, 2024 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one’s neighbor. … Some of the worst tyrannies of our day genuinely are “vowed” to the service of mankind, yet can function only by pitting neighbor against neighbor. The all-seeing eye of a totalitarian regime is usually the watchful eye of the next-door neighbor. In a Communist state love of neighbor may be classed as counter-revolutionary.” – Eric Hoffer
Heading out of Australia to escape this Aussie winter. First stop Japan, then UK/Ireland and if work doesn't call me back, onto Chicago. I will make it up as I go along
ALOHA PROMISES FOREVER 