It may surprise you
that I do not have
a single word of judgment
to offer regarding the situation
you are in
It may surprise you
that I have no scathing reply
no finger to point
no protest sign to waive
in your face
It may surprise you
that I am mute
before your chosen lifestyle
I hold no stone to throw
at your particular worldview
It may surprise you
that I do not hold
a bloody sword
over your head
in the name of my God
In fact
odds are good that
your moral record
is superior to mine
In every way
I’d be willing to bet
you’re more
faithful
honest
diligent
cleaned up
accomplished
humble
well-spoken
desired
and loving
than I’ll
ever be
This may surprise you
Or it may not
Either way
it is true
Justice is coming
for both of us
as sure as I
sit in my
cheap
blue-striped boxers
typing this
line
It is
But it will not be
by my hand
Or by
my mouth
As long as I breathe
I will offer you
this defective
love
And this
open spot
beside me
at the table
21 responses so far ↓
1 JC Stefano | 20 Aug 2007
Good. You touched on something that I can relate to. I am that person. I need to get my $#!% together. For Real…..Thats reality. Thanks for helping me get through he day.
2 Elizabeth | 20 Aug 2007
Good morning to you too! This is the first of your poems that I’ve received on your auto-notifyer-thingy. What fun! Well, fun’s not exactly the word.
Have a great day.
3 Sharon Sarmiento | 20 Aug 2007
Hey Robert,
I love the idea of “defective love”–at first I thought: “that’s not defective love, it’s the perfect type of love”, but then I thought that “defective love” is totally spot on–it’s the love of defects, loving someone despite imperfections, no matter what they’ve done, or are doing, or will do in the future.
The world would be a better place if more folks gave “defective love” as freely as you do ;-) .
Cheers,
Sharon
4 Brian Clark | 20 Aug 2007
Learn discernment without judgment, love without attachment, compassion without pity and generosity without expectation. This allows for people to experience true goodness.
5 Robert Bruce | 20 Aug 2007
JC - Come on man, I judge you all the time… ;)
6 Robert Bruce | 20 Aug 2007
Elizabeth - So good to have you around here.
Also, “auto-notifyer-thingy” is a much better description of that technology than RSS… I’m stealing it…
7 Robert Bruce | 21 Aug 2007
Sharon - Yes, despite the profound defects on both sides, both people. You’re right.
I’m laughing as I type this, but I’ve really got NO business pointing the finger at anyone. Anyone.
8 Robert Bruce | 21 Aug 2007
Brian - You need to get Philosophyblogger.com going.
Seriously.
9 Sharon Sarmiento | 21 Aug 2007
Ha–Robert, are you really that much of a bad boy? I had no idea :-) . Let me guess–do the awful deeds of your past have something to do with a knife and a gun?
It doesn’t matter though–I have soft spot in my heart for sensitive tough guys ;-) .
10 Magnus | 21 Aug 2007
I was just at my nephews funeral. He ran a stop sign after getting into a fight with his girlfriend and slammed into a semi. Needless to say it was a close casket funeral. The worst part was the slathering of ridiculous things the religious figure had to say about judgment and what not (not that there wouldn’t be any…well I guess if you know what I’m talking about you know. If not I’m sorry. I wanted to cry but I had enough to cry about. I love my God and my redeemer and the fact that but for His grace go I to borrow a phrase. This post is a bit of a ramble but I guess your lines about no stones to throw resonated with me. I left a wide swath of destruction behind me until I understood redemption and grace. I was sad to hear so many people hear so much fast food religion (I’m ok, so are you… and destroying your lives living your own way? have it your way…have it your way have it your way).
Sorry fellow posters. I’m just a bit emotional right now. This poem will be another I read to my students here as school opens. Thanks!
11 WPS | 21 Aug 2007
“Personally I do not resort to force - not even the force of law — to advance moral reforms. I prefer education, argument, persuasion, and above all the influence of example.” Rutherford Hayes (1822-1893), 19th U.S. President
I think this quote has some of the same flavor (however, lacking its artistry) of your poem. Although to me, the issue is even more reconciliation (vertical AND horizontal) than moral reform.
Thanks, RB. You have slain me again.
12 Robert Bruce | 23 Aug 2007
Magnus - I’m sorry about your nephew.
That “wide swath of destruction” is very familiar to me. You could also add “stupidity” and “merciless” in my case.
13 Robert Bruce | 23 Aug 2007
WPS - We’re definitely on the same page here. I cannot “command” you to behave in the way I want you to behave, right? You’d just tell me to shove it and walk away laughing (or worse)….
Great quote.
14 gar | 25 Aug 2007
some of the greatest things done in life are done only in boxers. Nice read, nice pic.
15 Jessica Poundstone | 27 Aug 2007
And you used someone else’s artwork to illustrate your book cover because……?? I love that picture!,
And about the poem I say: yes.
16 Zak | 4 Sep 2007
It has taken my dad several weeks to preach almost all the way through the life of Moses, and yet, here you can blast through the whole new testament In a few lines. I think that your work should be required reading for sinners. heh. Your boxer-short creations are a main source of hope here in suburbia.
Thanks,
Zak
17 potterspoet | 15 Sep 2007
stumbled upon your blog today. quite the nice surprise. as a fellow poet-in-training (all poets are in training, in my mind) your fresh and readable poetry encourages me. thanks for putting it out here. that and letting it be read. it makes me feel guilty for guarding my poetry blog’s address so jealously.
maryellen
18 Robert Bruce | 17 Sep 2007
gar - How did you know that?
19 Robert Bruce | 17 Sep 2007
Poundstone - Check it. The book I mean…
20 Robert Bruce | 17 Sep 2007
Zak - Don’t you know that I steal most of my stuff from your dad? What’s the old line about every poet?
Maybe it’s a case of the student surpassing the master…
Yeah right.
21 Robert Bruce | 17 Sep 2007
maryellen - Thanks for coming around, for your kind words.
Next time you comment here, you’d better leave a link back to your place ;)
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