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Poetry 2005/02/28 - Sometimes I Leave the Earplugs In
Poetry 2005/02/28 - Sometimes I Leave the Earplugs In | 2005/02/28 - Sometimes I Leave the Earplugs In |
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Sometimes I leave the earplugs in. It appears safe, to be sure. But who would wear earplugs where there was no noise? Yes, they keep out the noise of the parts washer. Yes, they keep out the noise of the impact wrenches. Yes, they keep out the noise of sledgehammers on steel. But, they also keep out many other noises. Noise, after all, is merely unwanted sound. Happily, they also keep out the raucous joking and banter. They keep out the endless prattle about baseball, NASCAR, and deer that were killed. They keep out the murmuring and backbiting. They keep out the annoying music with its ignorant lyrics and sounds of tortured cats. They keep out the goofy radio announcers with their retarded jokes and faked guffaws of laughter. And, most importantly, they keep out the clique-driven, derisive comments against those not in “the club”. Comments against those who are different. Comments against those like me. I didn’t ask to be different. I didn’t necessarily choose to be different. It’s just that somewhere along the way, a long time ago, my mind began to grasp a larger world. A larger universe. And for that I’m an outcast. Even before I spoke of such things they sensed it in me, And the foundations of the walls were laid. So now, as I must daily cruise their world, Like a vessel with a broken compass, Caught behind enemy lines, Lost, I reach for the earplugs. Rolled tight, inserted deep, they expand to shut out the noise. And I submerge into a world of silence. And here I am at peace. The storms of noise rage above while I glide through still waters, In silence, And darkness. But the deep is not silent. Oh, no… Here there are sounds of music. The greatest composers and masters of instruments and song of every age! Any of them perform at my whim. Here, too, are great thoughts. Mysteries to ponder. The workings (and possibilities) of great flying machines! The thoughts and hopes of some ancient, lost people! What is Jupiter really like? Here also are ruminations of literature and poetry. Expressions of truth and human struggle in endless variety of form! I am at home here. This oasis of heart and mind in a barren land. But, Lord, you would not have it so. Although You appreciate this world of mine, And although You understand it (for you understand me), I know you would not have me stay here always. You have called me to a higher purpose. And with Your every purpose there is provision. You have shown me love, and that love has taught me to love. You have shown me acceptance, and that acceptance has taught me to accept others, No matter their station or background. And You have shown me patience, and that patience has allowed me to see past our cultural facades to the person within. To see the beauty there, and to be awestruck in wonder at that beauty. The beauty of the human spirit. And so I will rise up. I will remove the earplugs. I will engage in the conversations. I will listen for the expression and meaning in the music. (Listening past the cats, of course!) And I will listen for the beauty and meaning and expression in the hearts. I will listen with Your ears. And I will be enriched by it. Thank you, Lord!
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