About the author
I’m Michael Jay, from Kansas. I hold a M.A. from Friends University in ‘Christian Ministry’ but I’m not involved in ‘professional Ministry’ at the moment nor even making a living at creative work. I am of course open to changing this and am open to ideas. This ‘blog’ is intended to be a creative outlet so I can share my attempts at art.
Back before growing facial hair was even possible for me, I started writing down thoughts in a black notebook that I carried with me. I continued this habit while I filled, emptied, burned and started new notebooks. The original was called by two names: “Deep thoughts”, and “the black notebook full of stuff.” This blog is a digital transcription of that old notebook, along with the others that are extant. (In effect, I was blogging in 1992. Although the notebook was only handwritten notes, it was open to my friends.) These days, I often journal directly on the computer but I still carry a pen and paper with me. The first black notebook sits (with some of the others) on the bottom row of one of my bookshelves.
I love writing, and poetry is especially close to my heart. I hope you enjoy.
Published work:
“Humor and Vocal Ministry in Friends Worship” Quaker Life September/October 2009 page 46
Speaking itinerary:
August 30, 2009 Hutchinson Friends Church, 9:30 AM “God seeks what is lost — Three parables of Jesus.” A sermon on Luke 15.
September 13, 2009 Salvation Army, Hutchinson KS — 11:00 AM, last moment pulpit supply call.
You can contact me at michaeldavidjay@gmail.com I hope to add both speaking dates, and published work to the list.
I´ve read your poem about the cananite woman, I loved it.
It has been quite a chanllenging text.
I dare to send you mine to your comments, if it doesn´t bother you.
I have others at poemhunter.com
Thanks in advance.
Under the Master´s Table
by Obed R. Souza
It has been quite a short time
Since I have first realized
That palaces and king´s chambers
Are not good places for truth to hide
Because milk and honey
On their tables do not abide .
History has whispered that
Gold and silver vessels
Might not hold the meal taste
And savory dishes can be rejected
If not served by well dressed hired servants.
Where , then, can truth –
The food for the hungry
Be found?
Truth will never be clothed !
Truth accepts no bribe!
It is edible … served raw !
No flattery is accepted within the realms of this kingdom!
It carries neither scents nor spices
Of good deeds from those ones of royal descent.
It stands high in the skies , though reached only by the beggar´s empty stomach,
It might be offensive, therefore challenging
It unveils secret inner places where we feed our prejudices,
A disguise for our self-justice and pride.
It strips us off our royal rags, we cherish as ‘ ourselves’
Humility and sincerity wait on its banquet!
Offensive enough to proud lost children ,
Sharp and blunt to the scornful and disobedient,
Yet altogether gracious and tender to the humble .
Pilates turned his back to it,
The mob has sentenced it to death ,
Power has made it guilty of crimes against humanity ,
The non-believer calls it a liar and illusionist ,
Others say it kills… it poisons .
Where can truth be found , then ?
It is bred in the land of starvation
A far off underground world
Where comfort zones are not allowed
Under the master´s table, where the underdogs
Strive for food – celestial food.
It is sometimes seated on the ground, among the outcast …
Or in the dust of the earth, our next of kin
And where real life can be brought fourth
Where a dog lies as a dog
But rises a real son of the king of kings
Heir of the greatest of all gifts:
The honour of eating daily bread at the master´s table.