"The Fall of the Rebel Angels" by Sebastiano Ricci‘Balderdash?’ A Poem on the Supernatural, by Peter Venable The Society July 16, 2023 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 10 Comments . Balderdash? What are these hidden, unseen things? Do angels, demons, float on wings? Such ghostly shapes the full moon brings! __Our modern minds dismiss. Who twists and turns a shooter’s mind? Who ties the rope a rapist binds? Who wields the axe so many grind? __Is it a thing from hell? Who steered the wheel that saved your soul? Who pulled your hand from darkest hole? Who brings back life from what they stole? __Whose hand caused Death to miss? They’re creatures feuding everywhere And in our hearts. Remain aware: Sham spirits lure with golden snares. __Save us, Emmanuel. . . Peter Venable has been writing poetry for 50 years. He has been published in Windhover, Third Wednesday, Time of Singing, The Merton Seasonal, American Vendantist, The Anglican Theological Review, and others. He is a member of the Winston Salem Writers. On the whimsical side, he has been published in Bluepepper, Parody, Laughing Dog, The Asses of Parnassus, Lighten Up Online (e. g. # 48) and the Society of Classical Poets. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 10 Responses Joseph S. Salemi July 16, 2023 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 Reply peter Carrington venable July 16, 2023 Yes indeed, Joseph. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson July 16, 2023 Excellent and meaningful poem with rare rhyme scheme that punctuates each verse. This one belies the title, at odds in my opinion with the concluding line, thus providing additional impact for the reader. Reply Margaret Coats July 16, 2023 “Who brings back life from what they stole?” A challenging line, but I think I see the angels and demons feuding here, with the angels bringing back life stolen by the demons. Nice work, Peter, and it’s great to conclude by appealing to “God with us.” Reply Rohini July 16, 2023 Thoroughly enjoyable. I really liked the darkness juxtaposed with the hope, Emmanuel! Reply jd July 16, 2023 Enjoyed this poem more than once. For me, it sings. I like the questions, the resolution in the final strophe and the rhyme in the final lines. Reply Cynthia Erlandson July 18, 2023 This is profound and beautiful! Reply peter Carrington venable July 19, 2023 Always appreciate feedback. Key on! Reply David Whippman July 25, 2023 Cleverly written, and it could be taken as enigmatic till the last stanza. (By me, at least.) Reply Sally Cook July 26, 2023 This really is a battle between good and evil, isn’t it, played out on a world stage? Peter, you are both wise and talented. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Joseph S. Salemi July 16, 2023 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson July 16, 2023 Excellent and meaningful poem with rare rhyme scheme that punctuates each verse. This one belies the title, at odds in my opinion with the concluding line, thus providing additional impact for the reader. Reply
Margaret Coats July 16, 2023 “Who brings back life from what they stole?” A challenging line, but I think I see the angels and demons feuding here, with the angels bringing back life stolen by the demons. Nice work, Peter, and it’s great to conclude by appealing to “God with us.” Reply
Rohini July 16, 2023 Thoroughly enjoyable. I really liked the darkness juxtaposed with the hope, Emmanuel! Reply
jd July 16, 2023 Enjoyed this poem more than once. For me, it sings. I like the questions, the resolution in the final strophe and the rhyme in the final lines. Reply
David Whippman July 25, 2023 Cleverly written, and it could be taken as enigmatic till the last stanza. (By me, at least.) Reply
Sally Cook July 26, 2023 This really is a battle between good and evil, isn’t it, played out on a world stage? Peter, you are both wise and talented. Reply
