A Prayer, a Project, a Personal Message to Someone in England, and a Poem

First, a bit of Bad Poetry.

Texas freeways have electronic signs to inform drivers of traffic conditions, missing persons, and my favorite, 'Testing.' Lately things have been quiet on the roads I frequent, so the Department of Public Safety has made an effort to appeal to the reader to remain sober when behind the wheel. This advice is lost on me, because I can barely keep myself awake after just one or two sips of an alcoholic beverage. What was not lost on me is that the roadside signs are a great opportunity for an author to write one of my favorite types of poetry: the 3-5-3 Haiku.

Texas DPS almost has it with this message I saw today:

DRUNK DRIVING
OVER THE LIMIT
UNDER ARREST

The OVER/UNDER contrast is beautiful, but makes the last line exceed the limit of three syllables. My own rewrite sounds lame in comparison:

DRUNK DRIVING
OVER THE LIMIT
GO TO JAIL

Perhaps this will be better; at least it fits on the electronic board, and is has a sort of visceral punch to the ending:

A DRIVER
INTOXICATED
GONNA DIE






Enough of that....on to the Project:

Years ago, I read all of the Hobbitt/Lord of the Ring books so that I would know what my oldest son was reading. Now it is time to get in touch with the feminine side of the literary works in our house. Yes, I am starting to read Jane Austen. I am starting with 'Pride and Prejudice;' I even brought it to the hospital with me a few days ago, but never had a chance to touch the book.

I shall have to write some sort of review after I finish the book.




To Someone In England - and the Dallas/Fort Worth Area:

Thank you for what you have done.

I know you have struggled for a long time to make the decision you have made, and right now I am sure that you think that your life will be harder for it. Believe me when I tell you that it will be, and the world will look down upon you because of what you have decided. The world no longer holds the title 'Wife and Mother' in the highest esteem which it deserves. But to those whom you serve; namely, your husband and your children, the precious gift of yourself is one which is priceless in this world.

I cannot tell you how happy I was knowing that my wife was home, caring for my children and waiting for me, while I was away so much and so often.

God bless you, Someone in England, and God bless you, Wifeofdadwithnoisykids!



And last, the Prayer.

This prayer was recited by my brother after his private Mass recently. One of my sons and I were graced with the privilege of serving at his Mass. While we were making our thanksgiving, Father recited this prayer. It is one which should be recited by more than just priests, and so for that reason I wish to add it to the list of the '1,000 Prayers You Should Say Before You Die.'

Thanksgiving After Communion (St. Thomas Aquinas)

I give Thee thanks, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, that Thou hast vouchsafed,
for no merit of my own,but of the mere condescension of Thy mercy, to satisfy me, a sinner
and Thine unworthy servant, with the Precious Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

I implore Thee, let not this Holy Communion be to me an increase of guilt unto my punishment,

but an availing plea unto pardon and forgiveness.

Let it be to me the armor of faith and the shield of good will.

Grant that it may work the extinction of my vices, the rooting out of concupiscence and lust,

and the increase within me of charity and patience, of humility and obedience.

Let it be my strong defense against the snares of all my enemies, visible and invisible;

the stilling and the calm of all my impulses, carnal and spiritual; my indissoluble union with

Thee the one and true God, and a blessed consummation at my last end.

And I beseech thee that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring me, sinner as I am, to that

ineffable banquet where Thou, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, art to Thy saints true and unfailing light,

fullness and content, joy for evermore, gladness without alloy, consummate and everlasting bliss.

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.