Gert Strydom, 8 august 2013
It was at Hartebeespoort dam,
that I was fishing for Carp,
with maize bombs,
some dips and floaters
when I saw a man
put a small roasted chicken
on huge hooks
and casting a thick line in
using a reel and rod
suitable for sea fishing.
I must admit that he
had downed a six-pack or two
and he said
that he was trying to catch catfish
and I knew that some crickets,
earthworms or even normal bait would do
but he said that divers
checking the dam wall
had seen catfish the size
of great white sharks
and were scared of them
as they were very vicious fish
that usually kept to the depths
and I silently went on fishing,
changing bait, casting in
and caught a couple of blue kurper,
three decent carps
and a yellow-fish
that leapt out of the water
while it tried to escape.
I was totally amazed
when the angler
with the chicken on the huge hooks
got a bite, smacked the rod,
hooked something
that with a mighty force
started running with his line
and tried to pull him
rod and all
right into the depths
of that big dam
and a couple of men
had to hold him,
as they were struggling
against an enormous thing.
Gert Strydom, 8 august 2013
At the break of dawn
the neighbour has a visitor
pulling in with a small Nissan-do- it-all pickup
towing a small Venter trailer
with a blow-up motorboat on the canopy
and the two wave at me
when they set out
driving away to the sea
and shout aloud: “See you there”
and a day later I meet them on the beach
standing solitary
out of view from each other
on rocks jutting into the sea,
throwing whistling lines
straight into the deep
with sunglasses protecting their eyes
against the glare
as if searching for peace and tranquillity
at the edge of the blue ocean
and the two men speak few words to me
both determined to reel in something big
and in the distance the hues of sea and sky meet
while water touches, laps against my feet
and I find my own way to the jetty
casting a line in, waiting patiently
until a lovely girl comes over to talk with me,
sets my mind on different things
(spoils the tranquillity),
but I have a two legged mermaid
following me to a restaurant
while they still wait with nothing,
casting in with new bait.
Satish Verma, 8 august 2013
Crisp and tight, a parallel voice
of black stars talks to sky, protesting
the presence of ultimate outsider, when
everybody was a partner of collective
guilt in nightscape.
What was the center of fight in elite
members? The unhindered ego or claim
of bland crumbs of authority? The innocents
so many, on streets, surrounding a red
smudge, liberty, watching her personification, who
sleeps here!
Whom it burns? As the blood spurts
from the chest of a white stone.
* On the death of Neda Agha Soltan in Tehran on 20st June 09
Satish Verma
Anthony DiMichele, 8 august 2013
everything is humdrum how we like it
nothing going on here
in the cosmic drama
the trees surround the house and beg
for permission to believe in our enterprize
the remains of other characters on the barbeque
are being smothered in smoke
you will miss the point of my life
missionless decency
unfolding inside a spectator sport
make a place for yourself
among the anonymous multitude
it is said
you can part them like wheat
Bob Gotti, 8 august 2013
Who is not lost, apart from Christ, of the people amidst your life?
No one my friend, for it’s said, that all outside are spiritually dead,
All those outside of God’s Family, have no hope, for life eternally,
To be a part of God’s Family, one must come to Christ at Calvary,
All we know who haven’t crossed, into Calvary’s way are truly lost,
For without Grace from Calvary, all will remain in bonds of slavery,
Bondage from the slavery of sin, unless New Life they have within,
New Life received only by faith, when they accept Calvary’s Grace.
New Life, by all, is only achieved, when by faith, Christ is received,
Many are called but few are chose, so many remain as God’s foes,
Separated from The Lord above, for not embracing Truth and Love,
That love God sent, to the cross, to save not some, but all the lost.
In order for anyone to be saved, they must know, they’re depraved,
Born onto this sin cursed earth, while tainted by sin, from their birth,
Separated from the love of God, from the outset of life on this sod,
But, supplied with a Hope in Christ, that all of us can see eternal life.
Apart from Christ, we remain in sin, with our only Hope found in Him,
Who for all died as God’s Sacrifice, so we could enter into Paradise,
As sinful mortal men in God’s Family, in Christ we’ll enter immortality,
So, though you are lost, you can be, saved by Christ to live eternally.
(Copyright ©02/2013 Bob Gotti)
Bob Gotti, 8 august 2013
We all need to walk in purity and love, as we live for our Lord above,
This as God’s Word we truly heed, purity and love is what men need,
Within the world that has gone astray, with many on the broader way,
Souls seduced by Satan’s seduction, on a path towards destruction!
We’re called to represent Christ, in one dark world through all our life,
In the midst of darkened minds, seduced by wickedness of all kinds,
As in Christ we have the ability, to live above all that darkened futility,
For in Christ we are sanctified, now set apart, for God to be glorified.
In this world of darkened amorality, we must avoid sexual immorality,
In a world becoming even darker, we’re content with a lifetime partner,
This as the Body of Christ strives, to live for Christ’s Glory, holy lives.
Seeking to draw others out of the night, into our Lord’s Glorious Light.
We must be as a sister and brother, an encouragement to one another,
We also need to love with sacrifice, all those within the Body of Christ,
Prompted by the love of The Savior, He wants to change our behavior,
To be Christ like, in all of our ways, as we live for His Glory and Praise.
This for believers is the purpose of God, as we live on this earthly sod,
With the power, from God above, we must reach others in Christ’s love,
For it’s God’s Love this world needs, from those whom the Spirit leads,
As His Spirit directs us in this life, in the love and purity of Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©02/2013 Bob Gotti)
Bob Gotti, 8 august 2013
It’s my Gracious God and me, that is how it’s going to be,
As He guides me day to day, walking on life’s narrow way,
Not down a path that’s broad, that one which sinners laud,
But, that Narrow Way of Life, this, as I follow Jesus Christ.
God’s always here with me, on my journey towards eternity,
Shaping me for another time, for His world, that is sublime,
I am not to focus on this earth, as I’ve received a new birth,
Through His Spirit from above, as He leads me here in love.
From that broad way I refrain, all by the power of His Name,
As God guides me every hour, by His Grace and His Power,
While He leads me all my days, for His Glory and His Praise,
Taking me off of a broad path, that was leading to His wrath.
A path full of Satan’s seduction, leading only to Destruction;
In your life and that one ahead, choose Christ’s Way instead,
Of man’s broader way of life; you shall also be led by Christ,
Who saves us from all our sin, when we choose a life in Him.
And when you do you shall see, that in your life God shall be,
A guide out of the dark of night, to lead you also in His Light,
As God changes your very life, with the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Taking you down a path to see, that life still ahead in Eternity.
(Copyright ©02/2013 Bob Gotti)
Bob Gotti, 8 august 2013
Men sing of a night so silent, when God would begin man’s triumph,
Man’s triumph over darkness, through Jesus Christ’s Righteousness,
When that night a Son was born, just as in Scripture God had sworn,
He came to provide peace with God, to all souls on this earthly sod.
A peace that goes beyond the grave, as God came to earth to save,
To save the people from their sin, while granting men a peace within,
This, when those believing men, through God’s Spirit are Born Again.
Born of God, by His Spirit above, to live anew in His peace and love.
First the One who was born for us, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus,
The One who is both God and man, had to complete salvation’s plan,
As Jesus now the man in ministry, as God had to go through Calvary,
Where to save all men who were lost, had to die upon a wicked cross.
The trouble maker some would rave, is now dead and left in his grave,
But, that would not be the case, as God completed His work of Grace,
Raising Christ from that tomb, dispelling believers despair and gloom,
As Christ was raised to life again, again walking in the sight of all men.
So the One who was sent for all of us, The Risen Savior, Christ Jesus,
Accomplished all, that He had to do, to save sinners, like me and you,
So by His work, believers have victory, over sin and death for Eternity,
Through the Righteousness of Christ, we can now enter into eternal life.
(Copyright ©02/2013 Bob Gotti)
Bob Gotti, 8 august 2013
We are to glorify God’s Name, yet, it is taken so much in vain,
The Name of our Holy God, used today with an irreverent nod,
Through their lives many show, that The Lord, they don’t know,
So I ask you with a curious nod, just who exactly is their god?
With the phrases, many do use, God’s Holy Name they abuse,
Against a Truth, in His Word, that many may have never heard,
That all who use His Name amiss, God shall not hold guiltless,
For abusing the Name of our Lord, by God will not be ignored.
The lives of many truthfully hints, to the fact of their ignorance,
Of a Holy God and His Son, whose Word is given to everyone,
For every soul on earth to read, so God’s Truths they can heed,
Yet ignorance, is so embraced, by men, His Name is disgraced.
But, every soul is accountable, yes, even that Unbelieving Fool,
As a fool says there is no God, not knowing they’ll see His rod,
For, The Lord soon shall come, to set up a Righteous Kingdom,
This after God judges every nation, according to His Revelation.
All will have the knowledge of God, as Christ reigns on this sod,
Where Christ will reign over all, even those whose belief is small,
Where Christ, The Eternal Prince, shall eradicate such ignorance,
Where all shall glorify His Name, never again to be taken in vain!
(Copyright ©01/2013 Bob Gotti)
Satish Verma, 7 august 2013
Bilobed ginkgo resolves the conflict
of soul and body on the right side of truth,
laid out on a table visited by desolation;
here comes the crash of bodies.
You stand up against the end of beginning
to lock eyes with destiny, answer obliquely
to raw questions about the baking in plastic
cauldrons, when heat was rising in blue veins.
Engulfed in fumes of muscular words, resonant
with agitation of black banners at the door;
who will stop the sea of whispering veils
defying the shower of bullets coming from windows.
They were out in black night, impoverished,
burning inside, in grass green mud, covering
the ornate faces. Folks dissipating
on blunt shades, your sun outraged.
Six steps to reach the house, you take
six hours. It was naked and desperate aggression.
Satish Verma
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