Sunday, January 13, 2008

A Mr. Miyagi to the heart.

I've been irritated lately. Every little thing rubs me the wrong way, and I can't explain it. I tried to explain it in an e-mail to my friend Jen, but I'm afraid I came off sounding silly and confused. I just wasn't able to articulate the cause of my frustration, I could only acknowledge it. Last night as I was lying in bed being tossed and turned by the waves of frustration, I had the strangest idea. Do you remember the scene at the end of The Karate Kid where Ralph has just been "taken out" by a member of the opposing team? His leg is badly hurt and it looks like he won't be able to continue the fight. Mr. Miyagi pushes everyone out of the room and then with violent force rubs his hands together presumably making them so warm that when placed on Ralph's leg it is repaired at least to the point that he can finish the fight. Sometimes, I need a Mr. Miyagi to the heart. Last night, I got one as I read these two poems;

An Insidious Idol
by Meister Eckhart

Commerce is supported by keeping the individual at odds
with himself and others, by making us want more than we need, and
offering credit to buy what refined senses do not want.

the masses become shackled; I see how their eyes weep
and are desperate-of course they feel desperate-for something,
for some remedy

that a poor soul then feels needs
to be bought.

I find nothing more offensive than a god
who could condemn human instincts in us that time in all its wonder
have made perfect.

I find nothing more destructive to the well-being of life
than to support a god that makes you feel unworthy and in debt to it.
I imagine erecting churches to such a strange god will assure
endless wars that commerce loves.

A god that could frighten is not a god-but an insidious idol
and weapon in the hands of
the insane.

A god who talks of sin is worshiped
by the infirm;

I was once spiritually ill-we all pass through that-
but one day the intelligence
in my soul
cured
me.







An Image That Makes Them Sad
by Meister Eckhart

How long will grown men and women in this world
keep drawing in their coloring books
an image of God that
makes them
sad?


Sometimes, I forget what God looks like. I believe all the doom and gloom. Then, he gives me a Mr. Miyagi to the heart, and I remember.

8 comments:

R said...

o thank you. thank you. thank you.
i needed this.

Kelli said...

Hi Sandra,

You don't know me, I'm a friend of Becky's. But I just read your post, and I agree with Becky-I needed this too.

Kelli

Anonymous said...

You most definitely did not come off sounding silly and confused. I haven't had time to reply to the email, but I know what you're feeling. I'll try to email you back soon.
-Jen

Unknown said...

My serenity and insanity go in and out like the tide.

It's a part of me that I hate.

I just try not to bring everyone else along with me.

I'm glad you got a Mr. Miagi to the heart!

Wax on, Wax off!

aola said...

I've been back to read these 3 or 4 times... I guess that's the reason I don't really like poetry - I just don't get it most of the time.
But, I really like these, especially the first one.

and, yeah, I "get it"

Kristen said...

Wow. Yes.

(And I love your illustrations, Sandra. A Mr. Miyagi to the heart--that is perfect. I think I will be thinking of that for a while now.)

Sandra said...

I'm glad this resonated with others. As soon as I read the first poem all of the frustration melted away. That was exactly the point my heart was trying to make to my head, and the second poem was icing on the cake.
Jen, I'm waiting patiently for your e-mail. :)
A, I have to read and re-read most poems before they every make any sense to me. I think that might be their point.

Old Folks Blog said...

Dreams are negatives in our heart,
That we develope, to ease the stess of daily cares.
Paul Walsh Sr.

Elimiate the negative,latch on to the affirmative,and don't mess with Mr.Inbetween.............ha

Have a great day.
Love,Grandpa.