Just His / Licent...

Poetry...

It evokes thoughts of beatniks dressed in black, stereotypical finger snaps, melodramatic ways of saying 'that' and those indescribable spaces also known as none of the above. Temper, temper now, all you modern-day Calliopes, Eratos and Euterpes; absolutely no disrespect to your Work is intended or offered as I Love my family :) 

The artform did come to the helm of my mind recently, however, because marketing and some of its patterns and packages tickle me. My subconscious has toyed long enough with the convergence of Janet Jackson's sampled appearance on a popular Kendrick Lamar/Drake single, an informal remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip as well as mention of her (not-so-new, hush-hush) marriage. It is likely that one set of the guys will never get closer to her than the tribute of their sonic platform. The other individuals have indeed shared good stage, screen and studio space with her, seemingly neither to the benefit nor the detriment of current projects. Then right on time, albeit a year later, mention of the elusive one's nuptials surfaces. I mean, egad! Who plans these things? ...and what exactly is at work: justice or license?

17th century English historical figure Thomas Rhymer is credited with the coinage of the literary "poetic justice" that experienced a pop culture renaissance of sorts via the namesake 1993 film and current song. The term refers to those odd, unexpected and possibly stylish ways that 'right' finds a Way to remain written into the Life script while 'wrong' gets wrung out. Poetic license, on the other hand, is considered a "deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained". 

One harmless example of the latter could be my trademark use of parentheses to denote a Divinely timely  delivery of "peace". The word isn't normally punctuated, but I believe my positive intent is underscored by doing so. As calculus and Rosa Parks have already proven, deviations can be standard and outstanding. Deviance can also be akin to harmful behavior, the aim and effect of which is typically licentious or otherwise negative. Choices, choices!

Any time and any place we approach the ​Word, 1 Corinthians is one location where we can receive discernment assistance regarding what we take the liberty to justify. To paraphrase its chapter 6 verse 12 and chapter 10 verse 23, anyone can march to their own beat and do anything s/he wants to. 'Anything' doesn't always make good sense nor is all compromise guaranteed to yield the expected payoff. Please don't be deceived, especially with your own permission.

The journey may not all-ways be safe, but it can be sound. Speak Lord.

Prey & Praise in the Land of Saints

It's Super Bowl Sunday in the U.S.!

Unlike last year, I will not have the pleasure of beholding the wide-eyed and salsafied physical beauty that is Victor Cruz. *sigh* I haven't spent that much time in the Bay, so until 2014's game in the New York region, another one of my stomping grounds -- Baltimore -- will represent a li'l something to shout about. 

Truth be told, repping San Fran, B'more or the New Orleans playing field doesn't really matter. In this Life, if we're lucky or hardworking enough, we will enjoy memorable experiences on various terrain and with good people. After all, y/our (future) grandkids deserve healing spice amid their inheritance! Should battles arise on the gridiron or in greater arenas, however, this 47th exhibition seems to offer some allegorical assistance.

The Baltimore-affiliated raven, as mythical lore from across the globe and legendary writer Edgar Allen Poe would have it, is a bird of prey, dark and mysterious in its approach. Considered an intermediary between spiritual and mundane realms, raven is sometimes mistaken as solely a harbinger of death. Instead, it behooves us to heed Raven's question, What hidden or shadowy area(s) in y/our lives better serve us, most likely by ending?

On the other hand, the seven squared figure of San Francisco's 49 brings to mind redemptive Jubilee and the Work required to get to the blessed increase upwards of that 50th year point. What in my Life is worthy of celebration, forgiveness and just due respect right now?

Just a thought as February and these famous festivities march in...

For Real

Happy Newish Year, all! 

With the Northeast expected to experience unseasonably warm weather with almost two weeks of January behind us, it's wild to realize that the first month of "2013" is moving the way that it is.

While there are some things that have changed so far (by resolution or revolution), needless to say, some things have remained the same... yes, I'm talking about my enjoyment of online dictionary entries and scripture.

According to Merriam-Webster online, January 11 is all about "realia" -- those tangibles that bring our education home and help make it more true-to-life. It's funny, then, that Dictionary.com has made the business week ending on 1/11 draw the curtains on what's false. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and what the typically preemptive, mobile version listed as Friday's word focused on the "pseudo-" in name, habit, form, original style and (unless it changes) attribution/credit respectively. 

Beyond the 1994 Curtis/Schwarznegger movie, truth and the unlike often find themselves in close company; sometimes without that specific intent or any harmful results. For instance, this blog and the accompanying music player were set to Pacific Time by default when I first created the accounts. When posting in the late evening  hours, polarized as the coasts are, a certain limbo presents itself with the time-sensitive collateral data like the midnight-refreshed daily words and devotionals. Some are available for me to cite when they supposedly shouldn't be, encouraging either real-time disclosure like this or the decision to ignore the inspiration and wait for the externally accepted time so as not to look wrong. Keeping up appearances in that sense would be easy, but more often than not, I ask myself "why bother?" and go forward with integrity. Such is faith.

For s/he who can see "It" for all it is and could be, a clear line has been drawn. May the True and Living  God determine the starts/finishes in and through us.


Love,
T.