Published by the author:
Maya Etkin, B.A., M.Ed.,
Clinical Member (retired)., American and Ontario Associations for Marriage and Family Therapy
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
betkin@rogers.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Feet Upon the Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Thy Brother's Blood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Of The Sin of Pride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
From Psalm 24 . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Parable of the Shepherd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Of the Sin of Avarice and the Virtue of Sharing .. . .. .11
Cries of Despair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 12
The Money Tree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Tragic Fate. . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Farewell to a Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
To Laurie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 18
Going Home . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Highest Power . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Trust Betrayed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Forgiveness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
A Lady Rare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
The Humble One. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
A Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lights of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Soulmates . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Inspiration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
My Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Paths to Light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Like a mighty river's flow in rosy light of evening's glow, move myriad feet
upon the city street.She – with blazing red, long wavy hair, her eyes of blue, pools of despair. She's tiny, crippled, four feet high, her body her does crucify. With pain she moves her twisted spine, small outstretched hand her thin lifeline. Limping feet upon the street.
She – hips that sway, clothes that display, darting eyes her needs convey as she looks for who will pay. She was a child but yesterday; tragically she's gone astray, in heartbreak street she lives today. Enticing feet upon the street.
She – body lithe and slim, so swift, her chestnut hair the wind does lift. With chin held high, and sparkling eye she moves with style, mile on mile. Vibrant, lively, radiant girl has her potential to unfurl. Running feet upon the street. He – with confidence, he leads the tide, achieving much, he's filled with pride. His head held high, with steady eye success he does exemplify. He is from another land, important that all understand. Ambitious feet upon the street.
She – expensive clothes and well-coiffed hair, married to a millionaire.
Life is easy, cash to spare.
Her children in a nanny's care, does she think how well they fare? Thoughts of others very rare. Stylish feet upon the street.
She – stooped little lady on a cane, anxious that it should not rain. Wrinkled face and greying hair, squinting eyes age did impair, hands that shake and legs that ache, worried life will her forsake. Halting feet upon the street.
He – rumpled clothes and toothless gums, one of many stumblebums, to life's misfortunes he succumbs, lives on other people's crumbs. He holds out a rumpled hat while sprawled upon a dirty mat. Stumbling feet upon the street. She –hair all mussed, sad eyes glazed, her infant clutched, her mind drug- dazed. Past decisions so unwise, now mind and body agonize. She's heading for a young demisegrant her mercy- don't despise. Dragging feet upon the street.
He – compassion flowing from black eyes, comforts, gentle and so wise. He helps many to survive , from despair their hopes revive. With loving heart he serves his Lord, God will help him and reward. Pious feet upon the street.
They – moms and dads with kids in tow, little faces all aglow,
as children skip and run and play, having fun at end of day. Teeners cluster, heads held close, secrets shared do them engross. Family feet upon the street.
No matter what the race or hue, whether Christian, Muslim, Jew, whether Buddhist or Hindu, whether citizen or new, fat or thin, or short or tall – we are brothers, sisters, all. Whatever fate does one befall that fate does touch us all. Like a mighty river's flow in rosy light of evening's glow, move multi-coloured feet
upon the crowded street.Danger! I see a stranger!
Danger! perhaps his eyes are brown or blue or some other unusual hue.
Danger! perhaps his hair is black or fair, so have a care, for only red or brown is fine - it has to be like mine. Has he round or slanted eye? What would that imply? What shape is his nose? What would that disclose? What colour is his skin? Does he have receding chin? Is politeness his disguise? Does he tell lies? What language does he speak?
Does he dress like a freak?
Is he aggressive and strong? Will he belong?
To which God does he pray - how many times a day? Would he lead my kids astray?
In prayer, covers he his head - or leaves it bare instead? Does he use articles weird, by us feared? Does he kneel, bow or stand?
What book holds he in his hand?
Does he pray on carpet kneeling, or stand with body swaying? Does he sing or chant? Will his commandment he recant?
Is he more poor than we - will he envy me? Will he take my place - he of another race? Will he bring me sorrow tomorrow? Will he steal - do dishonest deal?
Is he powerful and rich, will he grab important niche? At my expense?
Is his presence a threat, if my wife or child he met! Perhaps his great grandfather came, and our land did claim, grabbing ruthlessly, in long past history
if so - revenge must be!
Seed of suspicion sown, of ignorance, fear, and envy born.
Those strangers whom we hate must not us contaminate; those who come o'er land or sea,
e'en live close by to you and me,
whose customs, habits I beware - they scare. They're different, they're a threat, to be met with violence if need be,
by all who are like me.
Look, he's NOT my brother, he's another. Him and his kind I hate,
let us them eliminate.
Let's have a final ending! Lets have an ethnic cleansing! With machete, knife or gun, we'll have them on the run. Terrible tableaux:
vicious blows, blood flows, screams, moans, anguished groans. Torture, rape, wounds gape; refugees cower and quake.
My murderous deeds I can't conceal, death is final - death is real, for the slain there's no appeal.
God's thundering voice exclaims " WHAT IS THY NAME ! " " My name is Cain" 1
1 Genesis 4: 8 "...Cain rose up against his brother and slew him."James 4:6 “ Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Matthew 5:3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:5 “ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Proverbs 16:5 "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord ... he shall not be unpunished."Proverbs 16:18 “ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Isaiah 13:11 "... and I will cause the
arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (ruthless)."
Once upon a time
A shepherd cloaked in holy Light stood on a Godly hill, a servant of the Sacred God,
and carrying out His Will.
That shepherd serving on that hill was sent to heal the sick,
and much wisdom to instill
and consciences to prick.
Around him gathered flocks of sheep, in love and faith they came; good health and peace did they all reap, in joy they spoke his name.
As time went by his fame was spread, his flocks did grow and grow, then shepherd's pride upon them fed and caused them pain and woe.2
He thought he was the very best no shepherd great as he, he thought that he was special blest his heart was filled with glee.
Now shepherd's service price was dear, he asked for money dues, so little sheep themselves did shear their shepherd not to lose.
1 The sins of Pride, Avarice and Anger.Only sheep that had thick coats could shepherd's help afford. On them did shepherd dote; on them he built his hoard.1
His ego grew, no more aglow his light began to shrink; no seeds of healing could he sow, no fountain where to drink.
As power faded, bit by bit his love to anger turned; to God's laws did not submit, faith was no longer earned.
Demands for dues did higher rise2, pretence and falsehood reigned; self praise under a humble guise,
goodness, love was feigned.One day there came a little ewe in pain and great distress, with hope for healing, comfort too, and faith he would her bless.
The shepherd, critical and cold, with anger spoke, and lies ,
untruths of past events he told, to her demoralize.
The disillusioned ewe in pain, yet faith in God still strong, went quickly into God's Domain where she knew ewes belong.
God is the Highest Force, she mused, no shepherd shall I seek. I never more will be abused, to God direct I'll speak.
EPILOGUELove for all1 is God's own cure to help all to become more pure. The shepherd might yet debt repay and join the righteous shepherd's way.
Pray to wipe out his disgrace that he again live in God's Grace; that he be cloaked once more in Light to be a beacon shining bright; again to stand on Godly hill2 and carry out the good Lord's Will.
1 Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
2 Psalms 15:1 and 2 "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" "He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart."OF THE SIN OF AVARICE AND THE VIRTUE OF SHARING
Matthew 6:24 “ No man can serve two masters.... Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Proverbs 28:27 "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack ...." Luke 6:38 “ Give, and it shall be given unto you; ...”
Matthew 6:19,20 “Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth,... But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven...”
Matthew 5:42 “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”
Proverbs 19:17 "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."Deuteronomy 15:11 " ... Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor and to the needy, in thy land."
Passers by
in crowded, downtown city, say: "What a pity"!1
People sleeping on a grate Wherever do they urinate? People sit slumped in doorway, clothing in disarray,
body in decay;
toothless stubbled face, stumbling pace; women dressed in clothes like rags, pushing carts hung with many bags; many with no roof overhead, many who don't have their own bed, some who sleep in cardboard shed.
Family bereft, who don't resort to theft, when jobs were lost, could not pay the cost; now in cars they sleep
and children fuss and weep2. Shelters sometimes take, what a heartache to have to depend on others to befriend and try not to offend.
In need of food - often with brood, sometimes to need to ask
a soul-destroying task
to use food banks, and murmur thanks. What humiliation, that in this wealthy nation there be such desperation, such degradation. Is one free, living in such poverty ? Oh listen! to the silent cries of despair to those who stare, who do not share,
who do not care,
who sometimes glare.
1 Psalms 41:1 "Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."
2 Romans 12:15 “... and weep with them that weep.”
Stricken souls in great distress reduced to lives in painful mess
how fell they through the net ? When forced to overwhelming debt, with hopeless problems so beset,
how fell they through the net ?
Its not enough to say "a pity"1, to depend on charity.
It's an abomination
that there be this tragic population, their lives in ruination 2.
How can one stand proud of rich country when in every town and city some folk live in abject poverty? It is a nation's tragedy!
1 James 3:15,16 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”
Matthew 5:42 “ Give to him that asketh thee,...”
Matthew 6:3 “ But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:” Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even
2 Deuteronomy 15:7 " If there be among you a poor man ... in thy land ... thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother."
Once there was a magic tree which heaven sent for all to see; it had a special property it could appear at will, move about or stand quite still; it gave the people quite a thrill.
Because you see:
Its coloured leaves were made of cash, attracting all - from mild to brash. That cash was always new and clean and covered with a silvery sheen. Its fruit was made of purest gold, each sphere the shade of marigold; those golden balls hung in profusion, their great value no illusion !
Whoever plucked from magic tree could have the gold and money free, but fate of all that currency was based on generosity.
Those who held their money tight, counting it by day and night in their acquisitive delight, and did not other folk invite no matter what their state or plight to share with them - those God did smite !
Their money leaves turned into dust, their golden balls turned into rust, their money lust turned to disgust,
leaving owners in despair, claiming life was so unfair.The Money Tree
But those who money did dispense to those in need or indigence began to have more affluence. Their acquisitions from that tree multiplied by three times three, rewarding owners for largesse – more and more did they possess. That was Heaven's consequence of their benign beneficence!
This parable is sent to say share your wealth - give some away. If you decide to stingy be you can foresee,
you'll lose your loot from money tree !
The hall is long and gray, smelling of Lysol spray. Like images strange,
aged people with minds deranged,
bodies slumped, shoulders humped.
Many in wheelchairs bound, making anguished sound. Eyes with dimming sight, blinking in the light, some are rimmed with tears, apprehensive with their fears. Some gnarled hands in blankets twist, others make an angry fist, still other hands quiver and shake.
Minds of many barely awake.
Some up and down in restless stride
seeking safety, where to hide?
or searching for a distant home as to their past they try to roam. Some agitated try to flee
yet know not where they might be free. Some - in and out of cloudy nightmare
of surroundings are aware.
Others lost in strange delusion
live in terror and confusion,
or hallucinate.
Tragic, tragic fate!
For them it is too late.
Their families feel despair
as their own miseries they bear.
Release can only come when life, so burdensome to merciful Death succumbs.
Then God, who all of us did make
their weary souls to Him will take.1
Old age upon her came
and senility made its claim. An institution was her home, my mother could no longer roam. She required endless care; I felt as if my heart would tear; trapped in body and senile mind,
no medical miracle could we find. Knowing that we soon must part brought an ache unto my heart. She stayed gentle and serene, still a loved and gracious queen.
When the merciful Angel of Death came as she drew her final breath, I was by her bed, stroking that lovely head. As her limbs grew cold and blue, a cover over them I drew, with tears.
My love did her embrace
as I prayed for God to give her grace. I knew her soul would soar to some blessed Heavenly shore, to find release and never-ending peace.
Your spirit, noble, good and true inspires all those close to you.
Oh, how loving, strong and brave 2 is the example that you gave.
You are a radiant shining light that soars to mankind's greatest height.
We are the ones who lucky are to be illumined by your star!
God has chosen you to show the path that other souls should go.
Our love for you will never end dearest Laurie, sister, friend.
My death is nigh, my thoughts soar high. The eternal me is going home where God’s Love dwells supreme, where God will me redeem.3
1 Dedicated to Laurie Maxon Katz, 1943-1996, who died of ALS.
2 Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and honour are her clothing”.
3 Psalms 31:5"Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”
Evil2 ! it has many faces and leaves many traces. Evil! you may meet it in any home or street. Evil ones may leaders be or very close to you and me, pretending to be friends or help our problems mend. They may pretend to care to trap us in a snare3 . Of such as these beware!
Evil! in places far and near it may suddenly appear, appear as if by magic, with consequences tragic.
So if you wish to ask "How know I evil's mask?" then consider this:
Does a countenance smile to hide extremes of guile? Is arrogance and pride and malevolence inside? Is suffering and pain inflicted for some gain? While cloaked in cunning guise are strength and power used, the weaker to abuse? Does corruption teach in articulate speech? Are hypocrisy and lie concealed by tongue so sly? Evil! it is the great deceiver, a falsehood weaver. It will confuse by every ruse.
Comes now a time of woe4 that prophecies did show, when tribulations mount and all our deeds do count. The choice is ours to make5 which fork of road to take. Would one follow evil power or feeling helpless, cower, as it the world asunder rends and generates disastrous trends,
1 John 1:1-3 “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
2 Isaiah 1:16 "..put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil."
3Psalms 37:32 " The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him."
4 Matthew 24:2 1 “ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
5Proverbs 4:14 "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men." Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
as cruelties unfold, aggressive and so bold, as darkness spawns fear and many a tear? Evil! it can contaminate, teaching us to hate; it can leave us trapped in hellish fate1
The nations' efforts to resolve into nothingness dissolve2. Do not wait till its too late3.