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Home Poetry Beauty

‘Balderdash?’ A Poem on the Supernatural, by Peter Venable

July 16, 2023
in Beauty, Culture, Poetry
A A
10
poem/venable/beauty

.

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.

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Comments 10

  1. Joseph S. Salemi says:
    3 years ago

    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 says:
      3 years ago

      Yes indeed, Joseph.

      Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson says:
    3 years ago

    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
  3. Margaret Coats says:
    3 years ago

    “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
  4. Rohini says:
    3 years ago

    Thoroughly enjoyable. I really liked the darkness juxtaposed with the hope, Emmanuel!

    Reply
  5. jd says:
    3 years ago

    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
  6. Cynthia Erlandson says:
    3 years ago

    This is profound and beautiful!

    Reply
  7. peter Carrington venable says:
    3 years ago

    Always appreciate feedback. Key on!

    Reply
  8. David Whippman says:
    3 years ago

    Cleverly written, and it could be taken as enigmatic till the last stanza. (By me, at least.)

    Reply
  9. Sally Cook says:
    3 years ago

    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

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