Loss of meaning is everywhere, and we are in a world that has become totally horizontal, as if we could easily reach each other, but in fact, everything and everyone seems to be unavailable, in a narcissistic bubble. Today's communication is inconsistent: "Is like playing a guitar without strings- Players going through the motions with no sound- ". Presence is what reveals the nature of the relationship, in my opinion, as well as the essence of a human being. I wonder how many of us are still trying to see "beyond an obscured veil"... I'm thinking, but I don't know the answer.

Axilea

You have given me and others a superb word-picture of an issue in perception and assimilation that almost defies clarity. It is an issue that needs more light of day. You have done a remarkable job of pointing out the dangers of online emotions. Many thanks.

THIS POSTING, TO ME, IS FULL OF FRUSTRATION. MY SON, LET ME SAY THIS; ON THE WINDS OF HIS PERFECT 'PEACE'(IS 26:3) FLOWS THE 'LOVE OF GOD'. AND WITH THIS COMES THE EMBRACING OF THE FACT THAT 'EVERYTHING' WE EXPERIENCE IN OUR LIFE 'HE' HAS ALLOWED, FOR A PURPOSE...'HIS' GOOD PURPOSE(JER 19:11). AND SO, ONE BALANCES THE 'WEIGHT' OF THEIR OBVIOUS DISSATISFIED YEARNINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF 'HIS' SPIRIT;...LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS AND FAITH...MEEKNESS AND TEMPERANCE...AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW(GAL 5-22-23). NOW, RICHARD, YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT GOD DOESN'T MAKE MISTAKES. HE LEADS ONE TO THE PLACE WHERE HE WANTS THEM TO BE FOR A REASON. WHEN THERE IS NOT A 'CLARITY' OF THAT REASON...WE PRAY ABOUT IT TO UNDERSTAND THE 'DEEPER THINGS'. OF COURSE, THERE ARE SOME DEEPER THINGS THAT WILL NOT BE MADE CLEAR UNTIL WE SEE 'HIM' FACE TO FACE(IS 55:8-9).
YOU SEEM TO BE ASKING(CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG); 'WHY AM I HERE WHEN PEOPLE, WHO ENDEAR ME AS 'FRIENDS' DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO REALLY APPRECIATE OR UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING?'
BUT, CONSIDER, RICHARD; JESUS CHRIST, THE SCHOLAR OF ALL SCHOLARS...THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS CAME WITH A MESSAGE UPON WHICH RESTED 'ALL THE LAWS' OF HEAVEN! 'LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF'. HOW PRIMARY WAS THAT? HOW UTTERLY SIMPLE, AND YET IT ASTOUNDED AND CONFUSED THE GREATEST INTELLECTUAL MINDS OF THE TIMES...THEN AND NOW!
AND THAT'S MY GOAL... THAT'S WHY I DON'T 'SWEAT' IT. ON THE TRIANGLE OF MY LIFE JESUS IS AT THE PINNACLE. WHERE I LAND UNDER HIM, I DON'T EVEN CARE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT 'HIM', AND I KNOW WHEREVER I LAND IT WILL BE AT THE PLACE 'HE' WANTS ME TO BE. TO BE SATISFIED ON THE PLATEAU THAT GOD HAS US ON...TAKES THE 'LOAD OFF' INDEED. I AM ABLE TO ESTEEM ALL PEOPLE NOT FOR WHAT THEY ARE BUT FOR 'WHOSE' THEY ARE. AND ALL PEOPLE ARE NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN ...CHILDREN OF GOD. THERE'S A HYMN THAT GOES LIKE THIS; 'ALL THAT JESUS WANTS IS YOU. ALL THE SAVIOR WANTS IS YOU. NOT JUST A PART, HE WANTS ALL OF YOUR HEART. ALL THAT JESUS WANTS...ALL THE MASTER WANTS...ALL THAT JESUS WANTS IS YOU' THAT'S AS 'DEEP' AS I GO.

I AM GLAD THAT I'VE ENJOYED YOUR 'MEALS' RICHARD. CERTAINLY YOUR SUCCULENT(SOMETIMES GOURMET(SMILE)MEALS HAVE FILLED ME ABUNDANTLY. MANY TIMES. AND I DO HOPE HERE AND THERE, YOU HAVE ENJOYED MY SIMPLE, YET, STABLE 'MEALS' ALSO.

THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Richard,
Quite a deep realization in thought!

Lady Mary Ann

The real person whom we can see and fall in love with is always more practical than those ones online. Sometimes what we dream of the person behind the screen may differ in reality.

Sandie

Reaching out online is difficult because it lacks the visual and audio emotional contact that God has provided. Still, some have a gift that reaches out and helps us understand them deeply between the lines. A GREAT poem Richard! Some chords rang out but still, I don't know if I really understand it all. Peace be with you. John Michael

Much food for thought. All of my lifelong friends are now thousands of miles apart and we no longer spend time together. We touch base once over while with a brief email that doesn't convey much in most cases except a, "Hello, we're still alive, are you?"

On the other hand, I have daily discourse with some recent acquaintances who I resonate with and we share ideas and news. It's refreshing to know there are people out there who are willing to communicate primarily just by words.

I've also learned that online dating (and marriage) has been quite successful for those who engage in it (I don't.) Perhaps it is the distance and the ways that individuals can "check out" those that are dating/communicating with them, that makes these relationships for the ones you get married actually quite successful. At least as successful as all the other ways that people fall in love and marry.

Ron

I commend you for wanting to share yourself at that level. Many people today never scratch the surface of someone's reality, for they are too busy with their own. It is only when delving in the deep well of others that we come to understand our own. Well done Richard,
have a great evening. Just finished teaching a mediation class tonight, one young girl just lost her mom, and I realized how little I could comfort her , that chasm was deep, still, she found solace in the quietude of mediation and kinship .

You raise an important point in this poem, Richard. We tend to live such superficial lives, all caught up in ourselves and our problems and our daily routine. But what about "the deeper things" that you mention at the end. It takes consciousness and effort to bring them to the surface. Well stated and thought-provoking as your work usually is.

This is brilliant, Richard. 'Nuff said.

As you've so adroitly laid out in this poem of search and understand, the soul of another is a precious beacon that has the power, with the right explorer, to emanate beyond the body and truly touch another person. Hopefully, yours is being shared at this moment.