Author Archives: jackpelham

I’m not sure it was invented once and for all,And then adopted by others, as are many things,For it seems that each of us reinvents it for himself—As if by necessity—rather than learning it from someone else.

That a man may choose to imagine Things as they are notIs a blessing of beyond calculation Yet the very same man, so blessed, Can bring himself to utter ruin When he chooses to believe Things as they are not.

Having considered your position and your circumstances,I perceive that you need me to be wrong about this.And suddenly, it makes sense why you are so concernedWith peripheral matters, such as my tone or my spelling,Or my motives—or whether there may … Continue reading →

The man says “according to the Bible…”And goes on to tell you what he believes it says,Expecting you to snap to attentionAnd believe him becauseOf where he told you he got it.

The details of the Bible are sometimes sketchyRegarding what, exactly, happened—and why—And what, exactly, those ancient people believed and taught.

It seems to me thatThere is a certain threshold of effortBeyond which it is simply necessary For a human to push himselfIf he is to please God in this life. And to my amazement,I see many exert themselvesNigh on that … Continue reading →

Who keeps a garden but for one season—Its bounty to be harvested,And its rows neverTo be walkedAgain?

It is not easy to do wellIn a world that does not want to.

Among the things thatGod invests into the man Are the copious powersTo care, to imagine,To believe, to learn,And to love as he sees fit.

You do not really know the manUntil you know what he knows.