I've thought lots more about it; have written lots more. Is anyone interested in hearing more about the Valley of the Towers or the Field of Grace? Or the Shadowlands, for that matter? (The Shadowlands are new.)
In the meantime, I've asked my sophomores to write a poem based off the romantic poet Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty." I didn't want to be left out, so this morning I tried writing a poem as well. My inspiration? The helium balloon* I received on my birthday, well over a month ago, which still creepily hovers near my ceiling and seems to move with a life of its own.
It skulks in my closet, like a raccoon
With devious thoughts and black-ringed eyes
Except, in this case, my birthday balloon
Suspiciously bobs, and tells helium lies.
It ducks and prowls over sweaters and dresses--
A rat-tail ribbon twisting craftily down;
And skritching along, it gives plastic caresses
To my poor frightened skirts and quivering gowns.
There’s no seeming end to its garish display
Of floating red foil, of yellow parading
The freaky thing’s floated for 46 days
And snickers through nights with its “Happy birthday-ing”!
Drawing by Elliot, 12, found on Flickr.
Anyway. Looking forward to hearing what the kids have come up with. :)
*This is not the first time balloons have been ascribed human personalities. Remember this?
3 comments:
Yes please on the towers, fields, and shadowlands. I have so identified with the imagery and have found myself journaling and praying in these terms....
"I've dug myself a pit of selfishness and am now just playing with the mud while making casual claims that You can come and get me... in a few minutes when I'm done."
Thanks for sharing your heart and your gift of words. He is working through them.
I agree, the imagery is on point.
People do have a tendency of staying in the tower because the fields have pits. However, the blessings and joys of living are somewhat diminished by never leaving the tower.
I've always found that non-believers can't relate to the tower dweller and often despise the idea, which becomes the stereotype of Christianity. It was true in my childhood when I became aware of core flaws in church leadership, and still keeps me from fully engaging the church today.
The group think mentality of a collective tower minimizes God's ability to do all things in that it replaces a flexible, real, relationship with words or laws. If laws were the way to salvation it would be like a math equation, but the brilliance of the fields of grace is that we are free to move and experience the gifts God gave us without fear of judgment or condemnation because He tells us, you are not perfect, you will fail, but in me you will always be perfect and safe. I guess it's because He loves us that he gave us this freedom, and to turn away from it and live a life based on an equation does very little to strengthen our faith.
What are the shadowlands?
Post a Comment