SAD, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF 'FAMILY'. THE VERY MOST ONE CAN DO IS FEED THEM WITH AN EXTRA LONG...LONG...LONG HANDLE OF PRAYER, WHILE STAYING AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE. GOD LOVES US ALL AND HE CAN DO WHAT WE CANNOT. AMEN. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

What a pitful situation in your very real and sad poem, Richard. Well penned as always.

Wow...I'm sorry I don't know anything of the person you wrote about.
I will try to learn more of him now.The passion in your poem really touched me and almost overwhelmed me.I also felt your anger mixed with the love and loss of someone you once really did admire, and from your poem I feel you still have that admiration of him and of what he gave. Your poem has inspired me to find out more and to read more of your awesome poetry.

Dom Frances reminds me of so many brilliant people that I've known who have fallen, including my nephew, through their inquisitive nature into dangerous territory like addictions, for some, unfortunately, to an early death and others, a life of debt and poverty from early gained wealth.

So sad to see such talent wasted. We must try to save them before they go over the edge.

Ron

As a famous rock singer once sang "Rhe Demon alcohol" It takes over and distorts. Well written about a tragedy.

Like you said some people only come in seasons and lessons..
And when it's a period of transformation and they are not bearing more fruit and weigh you down, it's long past time that river is dried up...I feel the passion so deeply profound in your sobering grief. The God of this world blinds, enslaves, lies, binds, kills, silences, passionately destroys the rest of what was good. I know so many and as the wheat chaff becomes sifted pronounced that it's clear who's who and it's extremely painful, sad and a death. God help us all in this fowl filthy cataclysmic storm. Will we come out of it? Yes but there will be sacrifice like never before even in times of harvest...Masks will come off of the ones who are not who they seem...... It's clear what your calling in righteousness and deep light is and that light and dark don't mix. Light shines in dark and darkness comprehends it not. Yes I'd like to scream from the roof tops all the injustice and the constrictor snake we battle with but I know God more powerful to do it. I have gone through much pruning and still need more refinement so I say that humbly only as a vessel servant always remembering I'm dust and nothing without Him...We maintain our fierce standing as vessels in this dark mass cyclone, many will not follow because they love darkness more than light. Many will not follow because they hate a watchman that prunes the masses, getting them ready for harvest. My heart breaks and mourns, especially for the false shepherds who were never called. It's time to put those mantles of His remnant oil and battle even if it cost you everything, even if your destroyed in reputation and loose al so called souls who were only there for a season upon the path of a watchman overseer that could have elevated with but chose darkness.... I mourn your loss but I know Richard the weight of that soul will be lighter on you now- Your bright light and righteousness will help many. Keep forging along bro....Shalom to you & Michelle , j

A view of what is well concealed by many. An interesting insight you have knowing that many a friend or acquaintance has left a circle not, as you say, out of hatred but self-respect and also self-preservation as one or more still in the circle behaves badly. Safe to say, the two of us have dealt with this aspect of surviving well enough to continue our quest to seek knowledge and excellence in expression. Thanks for posting. Well worth reading again.