by Esther IS Flesh and Blood S.
Member since:
May 8, 2007

Blind

January 28, 2008 08:40 AM EST
views: 87 | comments: 60

Ask a blind monk what God looks like.

This man is dedicated to God, he of all people would know what God looks like.

The blind monk had never dwelt on this question for long…

What if God wore a ski mask

With a gun raised high in his hand,

What would you think?

What if he had a turban, a suspicious smirk,

Wore a sweater that had a bulge?

What about that?

What about a leper,

Chest bleeding from the cruel whips

Collapsed in the dust of the blind monk's head?

Are you disgusted yet?

Why shouldn't God look like this?

Why shouldn't he look like one of us?

It is you that made him a thief, a terrorist, and a freak.

Maybe it's you that's

 

This poem was written by my 15 year old nephew John William McNamara who goes to St. Marks School of Dallas.  Would you please let Will know what you think of this poem?  It would mean so much to us for you to give us your critique.

Thank you!

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Comments: 60

Donna Hammett-Tooker Jan 28, 2008, 8:43am EST
Tell your nephew he has a future in writing because he is creative, imaginative and not afraid to write what others might think. He might also have a future in politics but hopefully he won't have to go there - too often clearer vision in a p;otician makes him/her a target for those who want to suppress or corrupt.
Juan J Martinez Jan 28, 2008, 8:44am EST
Pretty deep for a teen. This write does create some great imagry and does make the reader think about him or herself about the way he or she perceives themselves. A definite 10.
Landen Michaels Jan 28, 2008, 8:46am EST
Wow... interesting perspective and perception.
Apryl Just Apryl Jan 28, 2008, 8:48am EST
Very intense and again the imagery in this piece is vivid, living! I love his writing, it's Fresh!
JoAnne D. Jan 28, 2008, 8:54am EST
Interesting and I think it very good for a fifteen year old, thanks for sharing.
F. Jeanette c. Jan 28, 2008, 8:56am EST
A unique piece of work. God comes in many sizes shapes and colors to each human being, I'm sure. We all have to believe he is kind, forgiving and wants our world to be a better place.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Jan 28, 2008, 9:25am EST
It's rare to see creativity in schools of late . . . most seem to indoctrinate a specific mindset and actually tend to discourage uniquely creative work. Ernest Hemmingway, for example, writes in sentence fragments. Let's not even get into e.e. cummings' lack of proper capitalization. Here's someone who is refreshingly NOT politically correct. Kudos to him!

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
David S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:30am EST
I like how matter of fact it sounds. He's speaking of cosmic things in such a familiar voice.
Kimberly Ripley Jan 28, 2008, 9:37am EST
Will has hit the nail on the head...God would be more likely to manifest in a lowly human form. Beautifully written and wise beyond his years!
Warren Keating Jan 28, 2008, 9:45am EST
Great poem. Really intriguing and well written.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:45am EST
Donna - Will is a pretty intelligent young man. I believe he was influenced by our visit to Nepal last year and it left an indelible mark in his mind.

Will plans on studying to be a Pediatrician.

Thank you for your comments!
Karolyn Q. Jan 28, 2008, 9:46am EST
I thought it was very good.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:47am EST
Juan - You are so right. It does seem to make one think about life as a whole and who God is to all of us or some of us.

Thank you for your comments and for the 10!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:48am EST
Landen - I agree of course I'm partial. ;)

Thanks for the comment!
Michele Scercy Jan 28, 2008, 9:49am EST
Your nephew is very talented.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:49am EST
Apryl - I agree with the freshness of the piece, of course I really think it a bit intense for such a young man. Don't you??

Thanks my friend!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:50am EST
Joanne - Thank you for your comment!
Joseph H. Jan 28, 2008, 9:51am EST
wow...very good. I don't think I had those sorts of insights at 15. I do have a question...is it supposed to end abruptly or was something left off of the end?
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:51am EST
F. Jeanette - I believe that Will is at a place in his life where he sees all of the injustices in life religiously and his feelings and self discovery.

Thank you.
Cheryl W. Jan 28, 2008, 9:54am EST
I thought his poem was very powerful and I was surprised to learn it was written by a 15 year old. Awesome job!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:54am EST
Lady Raven Spirit - Will is pretty opinionated and rather gifted intellectually. I do believe that he will continue to write but as young as he is will probably change alot in his feelings and thinking as he matures.

Thank you as your opinion is always valued.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 9:59am EST
Doyle - I appreciate your comments and am so sure that Will can take with him some of what you have stated.

Will goes to St. Marks School in Dallas which is an all boys private school and one of the best in the nation with admission to only the upper echelon in IQ. We think Will to be a very gifted young man and has been all of his life; with a promising future, God will it.

Thank you!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:00am EST
David - When I read this poem by Will I thought it to be rather remarkable for someone so young to think this way as well.

Thank you!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:02am EST
Kimberly - I thought the exact same way you did in your comment! Very perceptive of you.

Thank you!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:03am EST
Warren - Coming from you I am so pleased by your comment. I will definately be sending him here to read all of your comments. I feel he will be more confidant and apt to writing more in the future.

Thank you!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:04am EST
Karolyn - Thank you Ms. Sweetness! ;)
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:05am EST
Michele - Thank you so much!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:07am EST
Joseph - I don't think I was thinking this way at 15 either of course I was a bit of a radical hippie (way before my years).

I didn't ask him about the ending but will today. I rather think he left it like that to leave the reader questioning their feelings.

Thanks!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:08am EST
Cheryl - Your comments were really nice. I am sure Will will probably be really flattered by all of this praise.

Thank you!

Love your new icon! ;)
Joseph H. Jan 28, 2008, 10:15am EST
I'm kind of guessing you are supposed to think "Blind"
penni d. Jan 28, 2008, 10:21am EST
I would think that your nephew has the right of it...GOD is LIGHT in HIS house, but wears many faces here.I would swear i saw him once as a cop, and again as a homeless man... :)
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:50am EST
Joseph - I think we may both be right. I am definately going to ask him tonight and find out for sure.

thanks!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 10:54am EST
Penni - You know I think of that often. I always think that if I turn someone away who is hungry or needy what if it is him? Like the people on the street corners asking for handouts -- I always give them whatever I have loose in my purse. A dollar or two, who knows some days I have no cash in my purse and constantly think what if that was God and I couldn't be there to give him some money to eat. When kids come to my house selling whatever, I buy thinking the same thing. I know God probably will never come knocking on my door but should he ever decided to do so, I shall not turn him away. I will have something for him whenever if ever.

Thanks Penni!
Ron B. Jan 28, 2008, 11:28am EST
Excellent.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 12:26pm EST
Ron - Thanks so much!
TK Rosevear Jan 28, 2008, 1:08pm EST
Your nephew definitely has a writing future...;)
Lisa Frost Jan 28, 2008, 1:36pm EST
creative, good imagery, excellent thoughts expressed.
Elaine A. Jan 28, 2008, 5:24pm EST
very nice
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:37pm EST
Ceena - Will really is a wiz kid as he has to be in his school because all the kids there are. Full of brilliant boys and young men with promising futures. We are very proud of Will's accomplishments thus far and feel there is no where to go but Up. ;)

Thanks sis, I appreciate your comments and know that Will will too!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:39pm EST
Ceena - You know how I feel about ratings. I have no room for them in my life. I'm not a number. The other reason is that since this is my nephews, I wouldn't want any drive by 1's messing up a young man's confidence. Better that he should hear constructive criticism than be rated (IMHO).

Thanks again hon!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:39pm EST
Lyla - Thank you for enjoying this poem.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:40pm EST
TK - Thank you! I know that he will appreciate hearing that!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:41pm EST
Lisa - Your comments were lovely and appreciated.

Thanks!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:43pm EST
Dan - You have given me another reason to love the person that you are. You are so kind and caring and so very talented!

I will look for that book for sure. I am overdue on my book shopping but because I still have so many books to read from my last book shopping spree that I have been putting this one off. I love reading and BOOKS!!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:44pm EST
Ceena - Dan has proven himself more times than I can count on the type of person and integrity that he has. I really admire him!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 28, 2008, 5:44pm EST
Elaine - Thank you!
Old Crow (straight, but not narrow) Jan 28, 2008, 8:27pm EST
Esther, tell him that I think it's interesting that he has a grasp of things a lot of adults never figure out....
Heather W. Jan 28, 2008, 10:10pm EST
This is really good. He has a lot of talent.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Jan 29, 2008, 3:38am EST
Your young nephew is very intense. And apparently very well versed. His language is powerful, his thoughts universal. Long story short: Very good.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 29, 2008, 6:02am EST
Old Crow - I am sending him the urls to his two poems that I have posted because I want him to read firsthand what all of you wonderful people have said about him and his writing.

Thank you!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 29, 2008, 6:02am EST
Heather - Thank you, I appreciate the compliment!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 29, 2008, 6:06am EST
Robert my dear friend, I appreciate your comments in regards to Will's poem. Will is very mature for his age and reads quite a bit. He is in advanced studies in all of his classes and especially Latin and Algebra/Geometry. He plans on studying to become a pediatrician. God willing he will succeed.

Thanks!!
CC Miranda the artrat (or am i?) Jan 29, 2008, 6:08am EST
it's nice to see such creativity in the younger people. and when it's peppered with intellect it's even better.

i'm not a writer, so i don't feel like i can properly critique this, but i very much enjoyed reading it.
El Toro Bravo de Amor Jan 29, 2008, 9:10am EST
Pretty thoughtful for a young mind. Reminds me of sisiter theresa's comment about seeing a leper as christ.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 29, 2008, 10:36am EST
CC - Thank you for your comments as they are valued.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jan 29, 2008, 10:43am EST
Bret - Funny you should say that as I was just saying a couple of days ago, how I never turn someone away that comes selling something at my door for fear that if I should turn them away if would be Christ. And how if I see someone panhandling, I always give even if its the last dollar in my purse for the same reason. Who would want to unknowingly be the one to turn him away? I live my life that way and wonder if I am the only one who thinks this way.

In regards to Will, he was raised Catholic but has the feelings about catholicism that so many of us have these days. Inspite of his feelings about the Catholic religion he is still a very spiritual young man and far mature for his young years. Thus this poem and other writing in this vein.

Thank you very much for reading. I appreciate you.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Jan 29, 2008, 10:47am EST
It is very profound. Good work.
Curt L. Feb 3, 2008, 5:33pm EST
Woah!
patrick m. Feb 16, 2008, 7:59pm EST
Clev-ar boy.....just don't get bitter and cynical....nihilism is no fun ;-) Check out this book to help out in that area:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Happiness
Krystal Harwell Mar 24, 2009, 8:48pm EDT
going thru your stuff to replay your kindness, even if i've seen it before!!

<3 Krystal

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