The Perceiver

It's not about living or dying, it's more about living or dead;
I heard you say things about living, more gestures than words that you said.
I'm not very good selling problems, to those unconvinced by my words;
You flinched when I said "Fare thee well, sir" – in that lay the truth that I heard.

"Pull out's" what you said with a flourish, "for either it's living or dead";
There's no ‘in between’ in your thinking – so true if it's you that's 'the head';
Paul said we are not, we're the body – we're hand, or an eye, or an ear –
And noted it's bad for the body, if that little truth we don't hear.

For years I have sought for an answer – "In hell, what's the part that we miss?"
I found it (or them, for it's complex – yet simple, and touches on this);
In Paul's words it's clear as a crystal – we've not comprehended his lines;
His words sum it up in a nutshell, describe why we're not doing fine:

"To think you're the head, you're just crazy – you're not", that's the essence of it;
Most folks get that part of his message, there's more, so just listen a bit –
For most folks say "yes" to Paul's message, (or "no" if that's more what they see);
Then think that's the end to the issue – it's not, as I hope you will see..

Both "yes" and a "no" as an answer, can pay if you listen a spell
To Paul in the Scripture – his meaning – in midst of your desperate hell;
His image is all about living, the part that we're failing to see;
(I speak not from theory but living – his words were what happened to me).

"If you cannot see it's a body" [‘Discern' was the term that he used –
That's more than just ‘seeing’ – ‘distinction’ – that said so you'll not be confused]
"You're sick, then you're weak, then you're dying, as sure as I'm speaking to you;
So look to the depth of my image, it might open living to you.

"An eye, and an ear – each have functions" (that's also a part which we hear –
Affirming for each our uniqueness, empowers to the paths which we steer);
But stop here and ponder a moment – we differ from carrots and such
Cut carrots in pieces, we’ve carrot – but not when what’s sliced up is us –

We've arm, or a leg, or a torso; an ear, or an eye, or a hand –
Unique – for each differs in function, and essence, so please understand;
(‘Discern’ – here's the part, for it’s central, and subtle – the part which I missed)
We're not like the carrot, we're human – get that and we're heavenly kissed –

As eye, I can't walk, but my seeing, is awesome as far as it goes;
As foot I can't see, but make motion – I run, jump, and wiggle my toes;
As ear I can't see, but my hearing, brings pleasure and warning and peace;
As hand it's quite hard to do walking, but fingers do well at a feast.

Apart from the body I'm nothing – though exquisite, well formed, unique;
Not carrot, tomato, or cabbage – as part of the whole, I'm discreet;
A piece of a carrot needs nothing in essence to be what it is,
A piece of a body has problems – needs others connected to live.

With eye hooked to foot we don't stumble – walk over to get to what we see;
With ear we hear shouts ‘you be careful’, ‘go 'round, use the door – here's the key’;
With hand we take food in our fingers, use fork with a knife, or a spoon,
And feed all the parts of our body, through mouth – eat some more when there's room.

"Discern other parts of the body – you're best when you're part of a set;
Alone you're unique and quite pretty – you haven't seen half of it yet –
Alone you'll be sick, weak, then ‘dying’ describes life in hell while you live;
Draw life as a part of the body – it needs the perceptions you give:

You've insights, perceptions, bring laughter; give warnings, clear fog from our view;
Decisive, incisive, and forthright; in swamps show us pathways quite new;
Lead charges, discern all our errors; lift people to God in your prayers;
We need you as part of the body, so do not succumb to despair.

It's not about living or dying – we're all in a process of death;
It's more about life while we're living, ’bout what happens while we draw breath;
Discern – you're part of a body – it's bigger than edge of your skin –
Get healthy, get strong, go on living – see body is what you are in.

"I hope it works out for you, buddy" – my feelings as we wrapped it up;
What else could I say? Your decision – I know chemotherapy's rough;
Those words hit you hard like a hammer, I saw you react with a flinch –
"Wrong answer", I sensed in a heartbeat – there's hope underneath – that's a cinch –

I knew, this is not about "dying", it's more about "living or dead" –
You've no life in chemical limbo, "Pull plug the best option", you said;
But I don't believe for a moment, that's what's lying deep in your heart –
Release from your tomb while you're living, like Lazarus back at the start.

That's nothing to do with the doctors, the chemicals, x-rays, and scans;
It speaks to the life you're not living, and giving up hope that you can;
Okay, here's my gift in our parting, if parting is what you desire:
"My doubt that you see the big picture; belief that your life can catch fire".

For I'm also a part of the body – draw life from perceivers like you;
My pom-poms bring hope in despairing (more being than actions I do) –
If you'd like to talk with me further ’bout hope of your calling within,
Why, just give a shout and I'll be there – Paul said, “It's one body we’re in”.

navigation