Proverbs in Anima Humanis or Vice, in Verse

I thought I'd try my hand at writing proverbs...those pithy aphorisms King Solomon and Ben Franklin were given to penning. These are liberally seasoned with simile and metaphor baked in savory verse.

Care fetters the mind
as shackles, the imprisoned bind
but expression frees the heart
as manacles, a goaler's key

Doubt sows tares in good intentions
and beats plowshares into swords
whilst faith tends the Gardener-given patch
gladly, gently, peaceably, and with love


Deception perverts truth
as a wasting sickness cripples and deforms
yet honesty gives wings to the earthbound
to take itself heavenward


Gloom wrenches the mind
like stones, causing the foot to stumble
but a smile clears the path
and helps the sojourner on her way

Loneliness corrodes the heart
like acid on a blooming jonquil
but friendship is heart's-ease and balm
soothing the sadness and meeting the need

Fear corrupts the soul
like mildew in rising damp
while trust dries up encroaching mold
blowing it nowhere to harm no one

Strife ignites the stomach and
heats the blood, like flame to tinder
laughter, also like conflagration,
spreads and warms without burning.

Anger charges the choleric to
take up arms and duel to death
but tolerance inspires the sanguine
to put passion to healing

Hatred impales, decapitates, silences
like a guillotine or pikestaff
while Love embraces, enfolds, protects

repairs, rebuilds, resurrects and renews

as Man, once dead, lives again

What was Christmas like for Mary, Our Blessed Mother?

What was Christmas like for Mary, Our Blessed Mother? I began this article in a more devotional vein, but found myself stuck on a part of Christmas that I had never given much thought to. What was Christmas like for Mary, mother or Jesus, our Blessed mother? I know that some Protestants are uncomfortable, even to the point of accusing blasphemy for calling Mary by her rightful titles: Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Our Blessed Mother. I, like St. Paul, was one of the accusers, 'in fact one of the worst' at one time. Being pretty smart and smart-mouthed, I could out argue anyone. Being born and raised in a protestant environment, I knew nothing little about Notre Dame and what I had been taught was protestant anti-Catholic apologetics. Consequently, I was pretty vehement in her criticism. But the I went and married this Catholic guy, had kids, went to the grotto of Lourdes and accidentally fell in love with 'the lady of sorrows'....but that's another story. Back to the Mary of Christmas. Now even if I could make a case that Mary was not immaculately conceived (which I would not do), there are some glaring points in the Christmas story which prove unequivocally that Mary was and is Regina, Queen of Heaven. Read on...

Ave Maria- Haiku

Ave Maria
A haiku from one mother to The Mother.
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