War

On betrayal, God, and the human condition:

What is a declaration of war 
if not the severance of your life force
by the hand you once hailed as 
"The only one I trust"

What is a declaration of war 
if not the axe swung at your head 
following an eerie premonition, 
in which you whispered,
"Please God, not them"

What is a declaration of war 
if not the kicks to your body 
while down on the curb?
A calculated, controlled demolition,
all these years, I was building 
foundation behind enemy lines.  

Friendly fire, 
is that what you’d call this? 
Friendly fire implies accident,
blurred vision, mistaken camouflage patterns 
in the fog of war. 
But these were arrows of precision, 
spite and intent. 

Unwise it is, 
to expect a human to treat you with dignity, 
especially when you are down, 
vulnerable, alive, bleeding. 
No matter the years, no matter your loyalty, 
when a shark smells blood, 
it is possessed by the need
to feed. 

Self pity is poison.
Save yourself the tears, the shaking, the wailing,
and understand the nature of the Beast.
It’s not personal,
even if it sets out to destroy you personally.

Asking why is a lethal question, 
akin to speaking in an ancient curse. 
One day, this will all end. 
Maybe then, the inexplicable human impulse 
to turn against brothers and sisters, 
will make sense. 

I remember when The Voice said “Have Faith”. 
I’m beginning to think that was more of a warning, 
than any sort of assurance. 

I had to go to God. 
I had to examine myself. 
I had to see the idols I worshipped. 
They are too numerous to count. 

I have tried to find what only God can give 
in everything but God. 
Perhaps I should not be surprised
that I now find myself 
at war. 

Repent means “to return”. 
To turn back to SOURCE. 
The one we call God. 
Repent I will. 
I’ve no other choice. 

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Note:

There are several translations for the word repent. I referenced the Hebrew word for repent, Teshuvah, which means “to return” or “to turn back”.

Other expansions of the word Teshuvah include “returning to the land of your soul” or “a call to turn fully toward God”.

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Thank you for reading, and welcome to the new subscribers.

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XO

Photographer: Santiago Traverso. Shoot Location: Ocala, Florida.