Thoughts of a Log
                   in a Carpenter Shop


Once I was part
  of a sturdy tree.
I felt the rain,
  wind, and sun.
Nature was a part of me,
  and I, a part of Nature.
I'm still very happy;
  for someday,
  I will become something beautiful.
Perhaps, a chair-
  a chair for my King!
Maybe, a part of his throne-
  yes, that's it!!
I'll be part of my King's throne.

The carpenter is picking me up.
As he cuts into my flesh
  I feel only joy,
  for I know
  I will be of service to my King.
Wait--
The carpenter is using the wrong tools!
Stop! Stop!
What is he making of me?
Stop! Stop!
What is he making of me?
What a disgrace!
The carpenter has turned me
  into a feeding box for animals.
Now, I will never be able to serve my King.
The carpenter has made me
  a lowly manger.

        -James Irving Mann-
        copyright 2006

        jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

                              A Trucker's Last Prayer


O Lord,
   Thanks for the ride.  Your road signs
were a big help; they kept me going in the
right direction.  And, since You were
riding "shotgun", You were able to show
me the lane changes I needed to make.

Yes Lord,
   I got a little tired at times; but You
 pointed me to still waters where I could
 rest a while.  And, although I did have
 an occasional detour, You guided me
 to where I could continue my run.

Now Lord,
   I'm on my last run.  I'm not as strong
as I used to be, but, I think I can make it
Home in one piece.  At the moment, I'm
coming around the last curve.  I'll be
seeing you shortly.

                              Your child,
                               Trucker Jim

               -James Irving Mann-
                copyright 2012
                 jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

                              A Prayer for Mary


O Lord God of Israel,
     Please be with my friend Mary for she is in distress.
Her oldest son is causing her sadness and shame.  He does
not obey the Law of Moses nor does he respect the tradition
of the elders; he eats unclean food and sits at the tables of
tax collectors and sinners.
   Wherever he goes, he seems to stir up controversy.
He continually argues with, and criticizes the scribes
and the Pharisees.  He believes Samaritans are our neighbor
and speaks of them as if they are worthy of your presence.
Last week, I heard he healed the daughter of a Syrian woman.
He has even started a gang; it has been rumored he is
attracting a small group of women as well.
     Mary's son, the one they call "Jesus", even compares
himself with you.  For, when he heals on the Sabbath,
he speaks such words as, "My father is always at his work to
this very day, and I, too, am working".

O Lord God of Israel,
     Again, I pray-please be with my friend Mary for she is in
distress.


                         -James Irving Mann-
                         copyright 2012

                         jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

"A Prayer for Mary" was first published in HALO, January, 2013

                    Immortality


When I die
   may my ashes
   be spread
   over a garden.

As I turn
   to dust and dirt
   may carrots and beets
   and lettuce and beans
   and onions

grow....


Through the years
   may I become
   warmth to beetles,
   a pillow for ants,
   and food for worms.

And my soul
   in Heaven
   or in Hell
   shall rejoice
   and be

at peace....


          -James Irving Mann-
          copyright 1998

          jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

 

When You become One with Creation

 

 

a blade of grass

will be

as an orchard

 

a raindrop

will be

as the ocean

 

a dandelion

will be

as the sun

 

a grain of sand

will be

as a mountain

 

a speck of dirt

will be

as a star

 

a robin's song

will be

as a symphony

 

and everyday

will be

a miracle!

 

 

-James Irving Mann-

copyright 2012

 

jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

 

 



                    Bethlehem


In a small stable....
   prayers of a father
   a young mother gives birth
   soft cries from a manger

In the night stillness....
   a star shines in the sky
   shepherds watch over their flocks
   angels sing in the heavens

The promises of Isaiah....
   "Wonderful, Counselor,"
   "The mighty God,"
   "The Prince of Peace"

                    Joy to the world!
                  Halleluiah!  Amen....


                         -James Irving Mann-
                          copyright 2012

                    jamesirvingmann@yahoo.com

Wondering....

 

 

Is a star

that shines unnoticed

still a star?

 

Is a rose

that blooms unseen

still a rose?

 

Is a word

that goes unspoken

still a word?

 

Is a song

that stays unsung

still a song?

 

Is a gift

that sits unopened

still a gift?

 

All forms

of

Art, Matter, and Thought

are created to be shared;

if not,

do they really exist at all?

 

-James Irving Mann-

copyright 2012