Act of Faith

Loved the comparison of rancid oil and holy balm.

Ditto to what Sheila said. Good introspective poetics Mike.

TRUE Holy Balm Blessings ~
Rene

My fav part, Mike, was the image you bring to the table regarding the "truths" we inherit.

I like to think that social and scientific evolution springs from receiving these kernels of truth (which are not really truth--which are just The Previous Generation's belief systems.) We, the inheritors...their children, process their beliefs in a fashion that grows and challenges us to build better truths, to build stronger beliefs.

These new iterations of "truth," refined and purified, are passed to the next generation for their input, denial, and their processing.

Religion, science, and war are all alluded to here, and craftily done, sir, craftily done.
Exceedingly elegant, as always. (Had to look up phlogiston...LOL! NOT a science based background.)

Mike, enjoy your travels, bring us back new words and new images when you return, please.

Blessed Peace,
Wilka

Your lovely and most skillfully written poem is a lesson in kindness and self-awareness, Mike, most certainly needed for a close-up view and a world view.

Reminds me that Emerson left the pulpit because he couldn't see transubstantiation and so wouldn't preach it; but his Self-Reliance sets a demanding standard for the future: to be, in self-examination, more demanding about our inner truth than even the best creed could be.

Brilliantly written Mike!

Superb!

I really like this Mike, the poem sort of wears its own innovative language in a fascinating manner. I love, "The flaring phlogiston of the untenable!"

intense. Your wordsmithing never ceases to amaze and delight. I confess to looking up "phlogiston" - wonderful word, that. But I must say you had me at harvesting words. That image just stays with me.

every set of phrases and lines builds and layers and builds to the final lines; perfect impact; wonderful use of language. thanks

Wow, this is fantastic...a symphony that builds. Beautiful. Thanks.

Thanks to all for your comments and encouragement. Joseph Priestley believed there was such a thing as phlogiston to his dying day. He had a brilliant mind. But even the greatest minds see through a glass darkly. I think Wilka explains my thinking here perfectly.

Congrats on a well desrved win!

Mike as usual you use of words was wonderful. This is an awsome piece. I did have to look up phlogiston. Your use of it was skillful to say the least. Congratulations on your first place win.

--I like "to dress the salad of their joy or grief". --We alone feel our own discomfort or joy. We take it with us, as we walk out the door: our steps will bounce, or every step is an effort.
--Thanks for commenting on my Poem. (Also I'm the one who gave you the !0 stars, as if you need them!)

You dear poet
promote
a refinery
of exquisite
designery

Congratulations!

Congrats Mike !!!

Exell in truth of using Words profound !!!

tho lost my plight to prove on PPOW !

'Minds accumulate their own stores of belief
Harvesting words
To squeeze dry in the press'...
Amazing flow of words and vision, Mike.

Fantastic poem! I love reading your work!