Author Archives: jackpelham

If it should be my good fortuneTo be invited to live there forever,I hope there’s learning in Heaven. I hope they don’t just grant meAll understanding in a moment,But that I’m allowed to keep on learning.

They will admit that there areStruggles in this world,But they will not acceptThat God himself has wantedThem to go through them themselvesFor their own edification.

Many fools at church will assumeThat they will understand the BibleReadily enough without any needFor cognitive grunting or sweating or stretching.

America could do betterThan the tyranny and corruption―Than the dysfunction and disunity―Than the waste and overspendingAnd the graft and plundering and constant war.

You’ll not find much elseAs inspiring as a group of peopleAll pulling wholeheartedly in the same direction. They find an energy thatWon’t be found by thoseWho work alone.

“An animal doesn’t defecate in its own den.”That’s what Uncle Bill said―though I can’t vouchThat these were the exact words he usedIn that conversation about the best placementFor our makeshift latrine at “The Camp”. He seemed to suggest that what … Continue reading →

You push me downAnd then you blame me forNot popping right back up again.You begrudge me licking my wounds,Blaming me even for being wounded at all―As if this were all my fault, somehow―As if a better partner would neverHave fallen … Continue reading →

It was a simple mistake, really.Having surrounded themselvesThoroughly with church,They had assumed themselvesSurrounded with God.

Knowing you’re supposed to be like JesusAnd wanting to be like JesusAre not even remotely the same thing.

The young buck, at 16 years old,Follows suit after I’ve shaken his father’s hand,And introduces himself, arm outstretchedAnd prepared to put the vice-grip on me,Chest puffed out like a silverback,And his brow furled with a seriousnessBefitting the death of a … Continue reading →