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Saturday, December 12, 2015

He is a barker, a carnie

He is a barker, a carnie
reflected in the mirrors
in the funhouse,
his image distorted;
Spewing anger, bile,
tearing us apart

He is a barker, a carnie
exposing our inner demons
our evil, darkest nature,
tapping into, fomenting;
Spewing anger, bile,
tearing us apart

He is a barker, a carnie
seeking to woo us to his position
calling us to try a turn;
But there no kewpie doll,
no treasure, no reward
at the end of this dark ride

He is a barker, a carnie
exposing our nativist passions
making others demons
by race, by religion;
Spewing anger, bile,
tearing us apart

He is a barker, a carnie
sure of his own deception,
the cruelty of his message,
in fear, in division;
Spewing anger, bile,
tearing us apart

---------------
edited/new name December 12, 2015
He is a barker, a carnie
edited December 12, 2015
a demagogue and a bully – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
Edited/new name December 10, 2015
a barker, a carnie
edited December 9, 2015
a clear and present danger – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 9, 2015
a demagogue and a bully – v2
edited December 9, 2015
a xenophobic cancer – v3
edited December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie – v3
edited December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie – v2
December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie
edited December 9, 2015
a xenophobic cancer – v2
edited December 2, 2015
a clear and present danger – v3
(editing version 2)
November 25, 2015
a xenophobic cancer
November 25, 2015
a demagogue and a bully
edited November 25, 2015
A clear and present danger – v2
November 25, 2015
A clear and present danger


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a demagogue and a bully – v3

He is a demagogue and a bully
stoking the fires within us;
He is riding the waves of anger
our fear of attack, our vulnerability,
to pander to the prejudice
the racism within our nation
the doubt about their love

He is sowing seeds imprudent
fanning the flames of hatred
creating a wedge, taking advantage,
of division within our nation;
He is hoping to catch the wave
of the fomented revolution
seeking only to splinter, to tear at,
the fabric of our nation

He is casting pearls before swine
sowing to the whirlwind, their anger,
to milk the bitter harvest;
He is a demagogue and a bully
spewing a pack of lies
taking full advantage
of the fears in our time

edited/new name December 12, 2015
He is a barker, a carnie
edited December 12, 2015
a demagogue and a bully – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
Edited/new name December 10, 2015
a barker, a carnie
edited December 9, 2015
a clear and present danger – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 9, 2015
a demagogue and a bully – v2
edited December 9, 2015
a xenophobic cancer – v3
edited December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie – v3
edited December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie – v2
December 9, 2015
a barker at the carnie
edited December 9, 2015
a xenophobic cancer – v2
edited December 2, 2015
a clear and present danger – v3
(editing version 2)
November 25, 2015
a xenophobic cancer
November 25, 2015
a demagogue and a bully
edited November 25, 2015
A clear and present danger – v2
November 25, 2015
A clear and present danger


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The stable of love – v3

God’s covenant is fulfilled
Love came down from heaven;
The long-promised Messiah came
the hope of all mankind came to life

The stable of love came
the manger of joy gave life;
Peace like a river flowed
filling our hearts with love

-----------------------
edited December 12, 2015
The stable of love – v3

(editing version 2)
edited November 6, 2015
The stable of love – v2
edited January 26, 2015
a gift of a baby – v4
(editing original again)
edited April 9, 2014
a gift of a baby – v3
(editing original again)
edited January 20, 2014
a gift of a baby – v2
December 29, 2013
a gift of a baby
Children’s Sunday and
the fourth in the series “An “Advent”ure To the Stable”
because our 12/22/13 service was snowed out
 “An “Advent”ure To the Stable”
-          “An “Advent”ure of . . . Peace
Isaiah 9:6-7
Romans 14:17-19
 “Kneeling in Bethlehem” by Ann Weems
Prayer of Thanksgiving
children’s sermon – “Acrostic Christmas”
communion – “Stille Nacht/Silent Night”
“A Christmas Thought”, by Emma McNally
words by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 29, 2013
&
December 26, 2013
The stable of love
Christmas Eve service
culmination of Advent sermon series:
“An “Advent”ure To the Stable”
Lessons and Carols service
John 1:1-14
Luke 2:8-20
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
Story of the Three Trees
by Angela Elwell Hunt
and sermon “A Cross In the Manger
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 24, 2013
&
the fourth in the series will be included in the 12/29/13 service
because our 12/22/13 service was snowed out
&
Third Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent sermon series:
“An “Advent”ure To the Stable”
1 Peter 1:8-9 GOD’S WORD Translation
Psalm 90:1-2, 14 GOD’S WORD Translation
1 Peter 1:3-7 GOD’S WORD Translation
“Kneeling in Bethlehem” by Ann Weems
Prayer of Thanksgiving
children’s sermon
communion – “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”
and sermon “An “Advent”ure of . . . Joy
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 15, 2013
&
Second Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent sermon series:
An “Advent”ure to the Stable”
Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13
John 3:16
1 John 4:9-11 (NLT)
“Kneeling in Bethlehem” by Ann Weems
Prayer of Thanksgiving
children’s sermon
-          God loved us first and will always love us,
no matter what. God will welcome us back
if we roam.
communion – “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
and sermon “An “Advent”ure of . . . Love
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 8, 2013
&
First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent sermon series:
An “Advent”ure to the Stable”
Romans 5:1-5 (New Living Translation)
Isaiah 52:7-12 (New Living Translation)
Isaiah 9:1-3 (New Living Translation)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
children’s sermon
“The First Christmas Present”
by Regina Goode
communion – “Your Presence Is Heaven To Me”
and sermon “An “Advent”ure of . . . Hope
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 1, 2013

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, December 11, 2015

clear-eyed about our history – v4

All of the words, of justice, of equality
those written and signed on the printed page
none of them matter, not in the least;
What really matters, what is important,
is speaking truth, of what is truly
within each of our hearts

An unvarnished accounting, honest,
the objective truth only
we must be clear-eyed about our history;
The pattern of abuse
there from the beginning
to the Native peoples

The original sin, slavery,
written into the documents
the words of equality, of liberty,
for all God’s people, a lie,
for the few, for white men alone
with land, with property only

Freedom not for all, no matter the words,
nothing of justice, in truth,
even to this day, too many, too many,
not enjoying the “American Dream”,
a lie perpetuated by those still in power
if we are clear-eyed about our history

To understand that those in power
write the history, pass the laws
that they stand on the backs of others
those they subjugate still
not free, not really, as a people
until all are given a chance

To fulfill their own dreams
here in the land of the free
and the home of the brave;
we cannot continue
with our self-serving histories
we need one clear-eyed history

For us to move forward
together as one people
within the one circle
for all to be equal,
living out our creed
for all to be free

======================
edited December 11, 2015
clear-eyed about out history – v4

(editing version 2 and version 3)
&
edited November 20, 2015
clear-eyed about our history – v3
(editing version 2)
edited October 30, 2015
Railing against the imbalance – v4
(editing version 2)
edited October 18, 2015
Railing against the imbalance – v3
(editing version 2, adding stanza)
edited October 17, 2015
Railing against the imbalance – v2
October 16, 2015
Railing against the imbalance
Senator Bernice Sanders
Senator Elizabeth Warren
Blog Action Day 2015 – “Raise Your Voice”
October 16, 2015
&
edited October 16, 2015
clear-eyed about our history – v2
July 3, 2015
clear-eyed about our history
New England Conference of United Methodist Church
Annual Conference 2015 (#NEAC15)
worship guides
NEUMC Photos
my photos
Worship Director Marcia McFee
Guest Preacher Bishop Gregory Palmer
New England Annual Conference Resolution on shooting in Charleston
speech 6/23/2015
South Carolina State Senator Paul Thurmond (R), son of former South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, remarks on Confederate Flag. Paul Thurmond remarks on Confederate Flag.
Mark 4:4-8 (bible study topic on 6/17/2015 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church)
&
I forgive you  statements of victims’ family – Nadine Collier, Anthony Thompson, Felicia Sanders
&
Hate Won’t Win campaign
&
Jon Stewart’s June 18, 2015 opening monologue on Charleston shooting
&
The funeral for the Reverend Clementa Pinkney 6/26/15
&
President Barack Obama’s Eulogy (video and full text)
&
June 22, 2015
We pray for our sisters, our brothers
@dreamUMC #dreamumc tweetup on Charleston shooting
&
Guest Preacher Thom White Wolf Fassett
COMMENTARY: 2012 Act of Repentance of The United Methodist Church
Recap of Thursday sessions
Act of Repentance
by Pat Warrior Woman Parent
&
story by Thom White Wolf Fassett about Willie,
an Inuit member of the Methodist Church in Nome, AK,
janitor in the school system, and revered elder,
a bridge to the modern age and a follower of ancient ways
&
Recap of Friday sessions
extract of sermon
Bishop Palmer
Recap of Saturday sessions
bible study on Luke 10 (Good Samaritan)
led by Bishop Palmer
worship
Laity Address
by Janet O’Neill
opening prayer for morning session on Saturday, 6/20/15
&
edited July 5, 2014
A New Nation – v2
July 4, 2008
A New Nation
edited July 4, 2014
Words of Mettle – v2
July 4, 2008
Words of Mettle
Read before writing the series of poems on 7/4/2008:
-          Mayflower Compact,
-          Declaration of Independence,
-          Gettysburg Address,
-          Emancipation Proclamation,
-          Preamble to Constitution,
-          Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, 8/28/1963
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
In reading this, I noted that the nomination speech
of the Democratic Convention this summer
will be on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s speech
&
edited November 28, 2014
For America to Rise – v2
edited November 28, 2014
shattered in a million pieces – v2
edited November 28, 2014
shattered into a million pieces
edited/ new November 28, 2014
shattered in a million pieces
(this is my 34,000th poem)
edited/ new November 28, 2014
For America to Rise
edited November 28, 2014
We must Love our neighbors
edited November 28, 2014
Love your neighbors
edited/merged November 28, 2014
Love God and your neighbor
November 28, 2014
Love God
November 28, 2014
Love your neighbor – 2
Matthew 22:37
-          Deuteronomy 6:5
Matthew 22:39
-          Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 22:36-40
devotion “Two Simple Principles”
devotion by Jep Robertson
for November 20, 2014
read November 28, 2014
Duck Commander Daily Devotional
compiled by Alan Robertson
&
edited November 28, 2014
lost in our delusions – v6
(editing original again)
Black Friday 2014
edited October 16, 2014
lost in our delusions – v5
edited January 4, 2014
lost in our delusions – v4
(editing version 2)
Edited October 25, 2013
lost in our delusions – v3
Edited October 19, 2013
lost in our delusions – v2
Edited October 12, 2013
lost in our delusions
&
&
edited October 24, 2014
I love her but she is broken – v4
(editing version 2)
Edited October 22, 2013
posted October 24, 2013
I love her but she is broken – v3
(editing version 2)
Edited October 12, 2013
I love her but she is broken – v2
-----
edited October 22, 2014
we pray for our nation – v8
(editing version 2)
Edited October 22, 2013
we pray for our nation – v7
(editing version 4)
edited October 19, 2013
we pray for our nation – v6
(editing version 4)
edited October 12, 2013
we pray for our nation – v5
Edited October 12, 2013
longer clip from “The Newsroom”
&
edited October 22, 2014
I cry for the children – v5
edited October 16, 2014
I cry for the children – v4
Edited October 22, 2013
I cry for the children – v3
Edited October 12, 2013
I cry for the children – v2
Edited October 12, 2013
I love her but she is broken – v2
October 12, 2013
We pray for our nation – v5
&
Edited October 12, 2013
not in a nation state
Edited October 12, 2013
the goodness and mercy of God
Edited October 12, 2013
lost in our delusions
&
&
Edited October 12, 2013
What should we tell them
Edited October 12, 2013
I cry for the children
Edited October 12, 2013
I love her but she is broken
October 12, 2013
America is Broken
“Why America is NOT the greatest country in the world, anymore” video
&
watched after reading the post by my college friend Jim Thibeau
&
&
Edited October 10, 2013
we pray for our nation – v4
edited July 4, 2012
we pray for our nation – v3
July 2, 2012
we pray for our nation – v2
extract of Prayers of the People
second of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
Call to Worship(Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)
(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)
Communion, UMH page 9
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!
by Raymond A. Foss
Suncook, NH
July 1, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.