RonPrice
Oct4-04, 09:38 AM
VISION IN MID-STREAM
Most people have looked in vain to history for some explanation of themselves. It appears that meaning was not to be found in theology, the social sciences or indeed in the humanities. Some suggested we would be best to look within ourselves and that seemed to make sense, since the notion of the Real Me had been popular for some time. But this was fraught with problems of egotism, a radical subjectivity, a simplistic pragmatism that avoided serious thought and often resulted in a do-your-own-thing vacuity. Then someone talked about the dream of that city on the hill and that we should rivet the eyes of the world on that city. Having failed with so many other cities, secular and sacred, some of the people were skeptical. Was this city the genuine article? It involved the fulfillment of an ancient covenant. It just might be the real thing. -Ron Price, 1:25 pm, Tuesday, 23 January, Rivervale WA. :surprised
This hill is fit for pearls
and diamonds for young girls,
a freshness here, pristine loveliness,
although it is a place of thrones.
So, if your heart aches
with a numbness at what
the world makes, cast your eyes
to this melodious plot of apple green
with emerald sheen and enjoy
a full-throated ease
far removed from weariness,
fever and fret
and hearing humans groan.
I will fly to thee and climb your hill
on these viewless wings, these words,
however perplexed my brain may be;
in the tender night with the moon,
the stars for guides and in day
the firey sun will lead me straight
to thee, as if blown on breezes
sent across my wild and winding ways.
I have yet to see the flowers at your feet,
nor smell the soft fragrance from your boughs.
I have often tasted death along the way
and wished it take away my silent breath,
but now I wish to live beyond midnight
so that I may pour forth my soul and sing
but not in vain. For I was not born for death
but to hear, to see, to feel the sweet ecstacies
of the most beautiful gardens in the world
on the consecrated Spot where are arrayed
the trees of especial lives and a consecrated joy:
this is no dream; this is vision in mid-stream.
Ron Price
23 January 1996
Most people have looked in vain to history for some explanation of themselves. It appears that meaning was not to be found in theology, the social sciences or indeed in the humanities. Some suggested we would be best to look within ourselves and that seemed to make sense, since the notion of the Real Me had been popular for some time. But this was fraught with problems of egotism, a radical subjectivity, a simplistic pragmatism that avoided serious thought and often resulted in a do-your-own-thing vacuity. Then someone talked about the dream of that city on the hill and that we should rivet the eyes of the world on that city. Having failed with so many other cities, secular and sacred, some of the people were skeptical. Was this city the genuine article? It involved the fulfillment of an ancient covenant. It just might be the real thing. -Ron Price, 1:25 pm, Tuesday, 23 January, Rivervale WA. :surprised
This hill is fit for pearls
and diamonds for young girls,
a freshness here, pristine loveliness,
although it is a place of thrones.
So, if your heart aches
with a numbness at what
the world makes, cast your eyes
to this melodious plot of apple green
with emerald sheen and enjoy
a full-throated ease
far removed from weariness,
fever and fret
and hearing humans groan.
I will fly to thee and climb your hill
on these viewless wings, these words,
however perplexed my brain may be;
in the tender night with the moon,
the stars for guides and in day
the firey sun will lead me straight
to thee, as if blown on breezes
sent across my wild and winding ways.
I have yet to see the flowers at your feet,
nor smell the soft fragrance from your boughs.
I have often tasted death along the way
and wished it take away my silent breath,
but now I wish to live beyond midnight
so that I may pour forth my soul and sing
but not in vain. For I was not born for death
but to hear, to see, to feel the sweet ecstacies
of the most beautiful gardens in the world
on the consecrated Spot where are arrayed
the trees of especial lives and a consecrated joy:
this is no dream; this is vision in mid-stream.
Ron Price
23 January 1996