Actually, scratch that.

By John Blase | July 15, 2014 |

The timeline’s different for each of us

but at some point you have to stop fighting

your parents or religion or 1950s America or

your no-good-son-of-a-bitch-ex-spouse

or quite possibly even yourself. Yes, yourself.

Signify this truce by beating your sword

into a plowshare. Actually, scratch that.

I propose beating it into windchimes.

That way you’ll be gently recalled to the

forgiveness when subsequent winds blow.

Those notes will be a charmer’s tune

easing the air around you, an alarming

remembrance that by no means did you give up,

but that by choice you gave in to an older song.

legomai1 on July 15, 2014 at 12:49 pm

Thank you…

Sue on July 15, 2014 at 1:08 pm

This struck deep – and I think of the verse from Isaiah, ‘ you shall have a song, as in the night when a holy feast is kept – and gladness of heart’ — Thank you –

jamesscottsmith on July 15, 2014 at 1:17 pm

resonance… thanks John.

michelemorin on July 15, 2014 at 1:35 pm

I will now enjoy my wind chime even more.

mike graves on July 15, 2014 at 1:38 pm

john.I plan to go see your folks today

Tara Owens on July 15, 2014 at 2:11 pm

Oh, that older song.

MJ on July 15, 2014 at 4:09 pm

Yes, but how oh how, I wonder, does one change what has been a practical sword for forty-five working years into windchimes, of all whimsical things . . .

patriciaspreng on July 16, 2014 at 3:59 am

Read this several times … something new and deeply resonant each time. Oh, for the choosing…

Louise on July 16, 2014 at 4:07 am

Chimes … tinklilng through the memories of what we have laid down, already slipping into a new song.

pastordt on July 16, 2014 at 4:45 am

Oh, my. YES. Thank you. I’m listening for that old song tonight.