Author Archives: jackpelham

Here’s a piece I wrote for chorus, performed here with string sounds.

She thought she’d had enough of Hitler,But this world doesn’t know herself very well. She was tired and hurt and hungry,But after some rest, she’d be ready for more.

Bitterness is a liar.She promises that,If only you’d spendA little more time with her,She’d fill up that void In your heart. And when that doesn’t work,She tells you that If you could just Get someone else To be bitter alongside … Continue reading →

The ship’s undone—So far asea as to have Lost sight of the shore—With neither sail nor anchor. The hands on deck are not our crew,For we’re all forced belowTo do whatever we can find To suit us here.We pretend away … Continue reading →

If really He has your ear,O preacher–As you assure us He does–As you tell of having“Heard the call”–And as we hear your Pious pre-sermon prayerThat He will guide your mouthTo say as He would say–And as you have taught usThat … Continue reading →

Who taught the Christian to scoffAt what he does not understand? Surely not that Wisdom,To whom every soulShall bow the knee. Who taught the Christian to be smug–To defend and offend with overconfidence about his knowledge? It was certainly not … Continue reading →

Reflection is not—As some suppose—The refuge of the weak.It is neither the retreat Of the cowardly,Nor the pastimeOf the boring. Reflection is the observatory for the heavens—The mirror to self—The armory for the battle of convictions—The anvil of courage—The sounding … Continue reading →

Mocking, scoffing–This klaxon culture–Ripping at the world–Rebels with scarcely a cause but outrage itself–Hating their shortlist of wrongs And a thousand rights– The songleader points a finger and screams. And the chorus joins in. And it echoes across the land, … Continue reading →

Of course He knewThey would eat the fruit.Just as He knew ha nachashWould want them to do. And of course He knewWickedness would aboundUntil He should regret havingMade them at all–When He would at last summon the veryWaters of Darkness … Continue reading →

When GreedFirst took his standTo take what was not rightly his,He unleashed upon this worldA wayward bentThat has wooed the foolishEver since. They think they have foundin his example the proper way of life.And being busy with acquisition,They shut their … Continue reading →