Difficult to Swallow

 

 

Occasionally I have a dream,

I find particularly strange,

I am trying to swallow but can’t

Though I strain.

 

My mouth appears full

For whatever reason

And though you may laugh,

This isn’t fun.

 

What is even stranger

Is that I do not think to spit,

This should give some ease

But I do think of it.

 

Fortunately, I would wake

Before I choke,

May I remind you, my friend,

This isn’t a joke.

 

It is like whatever it is

Is just lodged in your throat,

Sometimes it happens in real life

And we should take note.

 

There is the physical form

Similar to my dream

Only that in real life experience

It’s a terrifying scene.

 

 

Help is urgently required

To stop that one from choking

And again, I remind you,

I am not joking.

 

Then there is an argument

That just doesn’t wash

In which the opposer is adamant

That it should be squashed.

 

It is difficult to swallow

It just does not make sense

But when explained to the proposer,

He or she takes offence.

 

I will give you an example

Straight from the Bible

In which words mean the opposite

According to some people.

 

Take the book of Revelation

Where certain words are used

Then examine the interpretation

Which some people choose.

 

Must shortly come to pass

For some means 2000 years hence,

I do not mean to be ridiculous

Do not take offence.

 

For the time is at hand

Means a very long time off,

If I say it has already happened

I know some will scoff.

 

Then there is ‘quickly’

Found seven times in this book,

For your own satisfaction

Go and take a look.

 

 

Some interpret quickly

As how fast it will happen

But the context of each passage

Says when it will be done.

 

Which must shortly be done

Cannot mean how fast,

To make this phrase say such

Is a phenomenal task.

 

It is imminent

Even at the door!

Not two thousand year later

But two thousand before!

 

It is difficult to swallow

It was for me too

But I let the Word speak for itself,

You should do so too.

 

Don’t be too quick to interpret

Before noting what the Bible says,

Must shortly come to pass

Can’t be 2000 years.

 

Stewart Russell © September 10, 2023

 

Taking Offence

Please do not take offence

I do not mean any,

I just want to share with you

What I heard recently.

 

It seems people offend me

Only when I take offence

And I show I am taking offence

When I go on the defense.

 

Sounds highly spiritual

But this is difficult to swallow

And I will go even further to say

It is somewhat shallow.

 

Don’t use this I beg you

To excuse your bad behavior

Because to me it is false pretense

Under which you labour.

 

 

Few walk around, I'd argue,

Just looking to take offence,

Not if it does not concern them,

No, it doesn’t make sense.

 

I would agree, however,

That some are rather thin-skinned

And therefore, the slightest thing

Is treated as very grim.

A bounce could be major

And a harsh word, more severe,

Never mind serious infractions

That would be harder to bear.

 

Yes, I take offence,

When wrong is done to me

Even though I soon put it aside

Without an apology.

 

Apologies are meaningless

If not from the heart,

And demanding one of someone

Is playing a fool’s part.

 

It is only an offence

When one puts a meaning to it,

Yes, with certain things I do agree

But with others, not a bit.

 

 

It also gives you leverage

To treat me however you like

Since I should never take offence

However severe or slight.

 

I am all for conciliation

And a willingness to forgive

But to pretend not to take offence

Is likely to be short lived.

 

If you pass and do not speak,

That’s not a major worry

But please help me to understand

You are not just unmannerly.

 

If you are unmannerly

This is the behaviour I’d expect

But if something was on your mind

Unmannerly I’d reject.

 

 

Communication is important

And thus, having taken offence,

I would get the proverbial ball rolling

In this particular instance.

 

Hence, allow me to take offence

At least as a means of resolution

Rather than sending a false signal

That just creates confusion.

 

So, no offence meant

And I trust that none was taken

But if there were in any way,

I ask to be forgiven.

 

Stewart Russell © September 9, 2023