“Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual …is the freedom of the press.” – Thomas Jefferson
It was a different life A different scene Life was tough And the streets were mean
Life was about respect Asking for the something better to be had Was maybe a bit too much to expect But the beauty seen could make him glad
The scene was a content night out That led to the moment's heartbreak Of a life lived in desperation and doubt It was the drag of desire that brought mistakes
Playing life's games we didn't know As we flirted in the back row of the picture show Making love out of nothing at all How did I know that you'd catch my fall?
Somewhere over life's proverbial rainbow A bluebird sings melancholy from the shadows This is the way that champions are made By standing, not falling, and facing the world unafraid
(c) November 20, 2023 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
A Split Decision Leaves Us Standing by Michael Doyle
In self-awareness, we look into the mirror Unwilling to walk this world in error But instead, seeking to understand, not undermine Understanding first as the defining line
Loving one another as part of our worship Paul and Barnabas teach us about relationship Modeling leadership in Antioch as missionaries Out into a world that was often contrary
Two heroes of faith came to disagree And passed into conflict with dignity It was a split decision for all to see Both were left standing in their humility
Considering the two sides of who was right Barnabas arose in encouragement and light The Road to Damascus was recalled, turning wrong to right As Christ met Paul to give him new insight
From killer to Apostle in three days grace It was a remarkable timing for Paul to embrace It came down to Jesus being that kind of good When all of God comes to be infinitely understood
The holiness of doubt moves us forward Step by step and ever moving toward Along this journey, we seek to be wise In following our hearts and not just our eyes
Errors happen when both sides are right As we forget this truth that is brought to light It's not the being right but in getting it right As we move forward with humility's sight
We don't need to always be on the same page To be on the same team in any given age Different directions are sometimes needed If it is the real truth that is to be heeded
Some come into our lives only for a season To be the source of newly discovered reasons While some come as a needed set of lessons Leaving their traces as much needed blessings
Wisdom doesn't come in some kind of monochrome That finds its definition in only one zone But in multiple colors other than black and white This then, is seeing life with godly sight
Let's remember that having differences of opinion Does not necessarily need to make for opposition Instead let's be living bridges carrying life forward Keeping our relationships open to moving toward
What God has called us to do in closing the deal We must honor and respect one another, keeping it real As bridges that lead to both sides of the water This is how we live the strategy of our loving Father
It all comes full circle into something wonderful As life is lived in God's calling into the beautiful That we must engage in our conflicts fully understanding That in the end, opposing hearts are best left standing
(c) November 19, 2023 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
With the pressure of coal refractive In a life hard lived and extractive A diamond's aspects glitter in their hues The Bronx Bull lived his blackened blues
When out of the ring, his prowess was as abusive As his desire to feel love was tragically elusive The Raging Bull could not outrun the jabs and jeers That he remembered, along with footwork and cheers
Born to be a ready-made champion who had a hunch That he would not go down despite the worst punch It was a hard life lived in his parade of years That brought its harm by causing others so many tears
This then was the treadmill that became his journey Alongside his Shakespearian quest for his destiny Wishing that somehow he could be Sir Olivier His shadow box became the contests with Sugar Ray
Until even he wondered if life could be more than a fight As he kept knocking them out, night after night Broken down into bruises that no one should endure There were no good answers to be found or serve as a cure
For his need to push beyond the walls of the unknown He would take the punches in his pursuit of his crown This was the currency of a soured life spent in a ring Where even the caged canary would choose not to sing
(c) November 18, 2023 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
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
