Mars in the Morning (A Prayer) - POEM of the MONTH!

Mars in the Morning (A Prayer)

In the predawn hours
As the first thought rises,
Mars in the morning shines
Onto compromises

The king after God's own heart
Cries "rescue" from an enemy;
And his bright Morning Star
Washes him with new mercy

This soul of mine is betrayed,
Not by how others sin
Or from graying battle lines
But, by my enemy within

Blind in this invisible war
Many times without warning;
Please, protect me from myself,
For I am Mars in the morning

~

Based upon Romans 7:15-19, and references Lamentations 3:22-24 and Revelation 22:16.  

(Venus, the brightest point in the hours of dawn, is known as the goddess of love in Ancient Rome. The Bible references Jesus the Messiah as the bright Morning Star, since GOD is Love. Mars, the red planet, is known as the god of war.)

 

Carpe Velo - POEM of the MONTH!

Carpe Velo 

On two wheels, shoulder-to-shoulder, the race is set; 

On a climb, your Team Leader hands you his musette. 

Just as curious as the crowds who line the street, 

The peleton exchange swift jeers, assured of his defeat. 

But his strength is greater than any of their doubt; 

When nearing the final sprint, he starts the lead-out. 

Because in his preparation you saw him kneel, 

You wisely heed shouts from your team-mate, “Grab that wheel!"

~

Carpe Velo is partially taken from the Latin phrase, Carpe Diem. The latter phrase is from Odes book one by Horace (23 BC). The phrase is part of the longer carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, which can be translated as "seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow (the future)".  Carpe is Latin for "seize". Velo is from the Latin word Velocipede. The Flemish and French also use velo for "bicycle". As a cyclist, it is loosely used for "wheel", specifically a bicycle wheel -- "Seize the wheel!" 

"Aalborg bicycle race II"
by Muao is licensed under 
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Contrary to the latter meaning of carpe diem --  specifically "put very little trust in tomorrow" -- the above poem emphasizes placing trust in another, who is referenced as the "Team Leader". The leader portrays humility and sacrifice. And, in contrast to common opinion there is triumph in knowing the leader and the strength provided during the race and at the finish. The wheel I find strength from is that of Jesus, my Team Leader.

This blog has carried the title Carpe Velo since its inception nearly a decade ago. It means, more loosely as is sometimes heard in a peleton, "grab that wheel" (see expanded definition below). The theme of the above poem has been rolling around in my mind for many years, but has not reached the page until now. I consider it the anthem of this blog and my life. "Grab that wheel!"

~
Definitions

Musette: a small bag used to pass meals to racing cyclists typically handed out by a domestique (helper) to other team-mates and especially to the team leader.

Peleton: from the French, it is the main group or pack of riders in a cycling race.

Lead-out: a small group of riders within the peleton consisting of a rider's team-mates who form a single line in front of the team leader (the sprinter), in order to provide a maximum draft until the leader starts his or her final sprint to the finish line.

"Grab that wheel": a phrase a rider will shout to a fellow team-mate encouraging him or her to ride behind another rider.

 

Puzzle Box (haiku) - POEM of the MONTH!

Puzzle Box (haiku)

A Japanese Puzzle Box

Four or seven moves
Face all the steps together
Unity expands

~

Traditionally, a haiku is read twice.

haiku (HI-COO): A Japanese poem. A verse comprised of three lines, 5-7-5 in meter, ending with an epiphany. The numbers "four" and seven" are traditionally symbolic in Japanese culture for "unlucky" and "lucky", respectively -- "seven" also represents "togetherness".

Looking at this puzzle box a poem about facing opposing odds, along with the challenge of the box, came to mind. The increased intrigue and message is the result when facing the challenge together.

(If using a phone to read this poem, turn your phone sideways for the best view of this post.)

The Art of Silence - POEM of the MONTH!

The Art of Silence

Paint a landscape
Of mountains, trees and streams
Listen to everything and nothing
Return the kiss
Of the breeze
And float with the orchestra
Of silence

Perform in an urban jungle
On the other side of the tracks
Among the graffiti
Embrace the heart
Of the street
And dance with the rhythm
Of silence

Carve in marble
The human figure
Kneeling in humility
Then stand with the rock
Above the valley
And follow the march
Of silence

Write a poem
Of ocean depths
And heavens above
See nothing and everything
But focus on one thing –
Be still and know
The art of silence

 ~

“Be still, and know that I am GOD …” – Psalm 46:10

(If using a phone to read this poem, turn your phone sideways for the best view of this post.)

Clarity - a short story

Clarity

            My heart lifted with the rise of each foot into Golden Gate Park at dusk. The full moon peeked through the cityscape as if God shined a light onto my empty page; but I moved to sit under the spotlight of a streetlamp and began to write. At the edge of the park, between grass and concrete, the pen teetered like a metronome from the Painted Ladies to Ocean Beach – beating with the heart of the city. 

"The Painted Ladies, San Francisco" by Alex E. Proimos 
is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

             There is something unique and god-like about placing one letter after another until a single word spins onto the page. From the empty void of imagination does a sentence form into creation.

            I sat with the incomplete thought and held it in my hands – the page in one and the pen in the other – until the sunrise peeked through the Manhattan towers and pierced the sleep from my eyes. Like the exit of a lucid dream I entered the room of a beautiful and glorious young woman – my bride. Her name is Clarity, but I call her Clara. She arose from her paper-scattered desk as the light from the window across the room filtered out the primeval thoughts of the morning. Her hair golden, illuminated the space and time and thought which permeated the room. One could glean ideas just being in her presence. Her eyes met mine, a sleepy yet welcoming smile kissed my own. She was a vision. Our affection drew us into an embrace, and with the skill of a thief she slipped the notepad from my hand.

            As the embrace flirted with the intimate, her eyes caressed the words I had written. I closed my eyes and dreamed of her response. I drifted. Time stood still. Moment. Scent. The softness of her hair.

            She stood. I know her love. I know her truth, as well. Her pen had scratched out the first paragraph – nothing more. She gazed at me in her pre-coffee state, “You’ve never been to San Francisco, and you are not God.”

            My heart felt like a pincushion. It always did whenever she sentenced my work to death – even if it was only a portion. But – she was right. As the light of Wisdom is.

~

Proverbs 1:20-21 NIV
"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech ..."

Prose: Short-Stories and More, Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Prose is coming to Carpe Velo, which will include the occasional short-story, or flash fiction. Here's a teaser of what's to come.

"There is something unique and supreme about placing one letter after another until a single word spins onto the page. From the empty void of imagination does a sentence form into creation."

- David A. Douglas

"Designed to Love You" Translated into Hebrew - מתוכנן אוהב אותך

מתוכנן אוהב אותך

אני אוהב אותך תוכנן כדי
בגידה, אבל הגיע עם הנשימה הראשונה שלי
אני מחויב בגידה על בקנה מידה קוסמי
, כי אני חייב להיות שם עד מוות

אני אוהב אותך תוכנן כדי
חימר מעוטרות שממנו אני עומד
אבל אני הרס את יצירת המופת
של גן עדן הייתה ונשארה שדה-חורבות

אני תוכנן אוהב אתכם אז
אני עובד כדי לקבל את בע
אז אני זהב מגולפות לתוך עגל
ובישראל יתפאר בכל העבודה שלי

הייתי מתוכנן אוהב אותך
אבל יצאתי ברצונך לזנות
 התפלשות עם הישבים בקברים ובנצורים ילינו האכלים
עד הייתי בעיקשות תער

הייתי מתוכנן אוהב אותך
אבל אני ירק להשמיץ את פנים
כתות את הציפורניים לתוך את הידיים
מהמימד שאימצו שלך

אני אוהב אותך תוכנן
אף והוביל אותי אל מי
אני ולאחר מכן את הסירה
אני הכחיש לך מעל מ מ

תעלומה מלכתחילה
הייתי עיוור הנצחית שלך להציג
אבל בגלל שאתה אוהב אותי בפעם הראשונה
אני אוהב אותך תוכנן מחדש כדי

~

#john316 #1john419

(NOTE: An online translator was used for the above translation. 

If there are any grammatical errors, I am receptive to your comments 

and will endeavor to make any needed corrections. Thank you.)