Several poems

Hello, y'all

I have to submit a one-sentence poem for my AP Literature class, for a contest. I would like to know, which one of these one-sentence poems do you prefer. Your opinions, votes, and constructive criticism please.

The hedgehog is safe
but he cannot hug,
While the rabbit loves freely,
and watches her children die
and die
and die.

So much for depressing poem number one.
Here is semi-depressing poem number two.

I gamble my heart at a casino called love,
where the rich bring their diamonds,
the strong bring their clubs,
and the spades dig the graves of those fools, much like me, who had only their hearts;

outside, the abstainers call us all enslaved,
and yet I have no diamonds,
and I have no clubs,
but I hold to the hope that I will find a love, before spade comes to bury my bankrupt old soul.

Last one.

Eyes ablaze,
the revolutionary youth and life and spirit march to meet the status quo in glorious battle;
Eyes of glaze,
they're dead.

So yes, most of these are depressing. Don't ask. I just came up with them on the spot. They reflect nothing of my character or current mood...I think. So your comments please. Thanks!

A reflection on Valentine's Day

For all those who saw the video in my last blog post...that's not really how I feel about Valentine's Day. I should certainly hope it's not.

A lot of strange and wonderful things have happened lately, some of which may have something to do with Valentine's Day.

And no, people, I have not fallen in love. Sorry to disappoint you.

This past weekend, I was at a high school retreat with some of my very good friends, and some friends that I am only just getting to know.
The retreat itself was a very different experience from the norm. Rather than have a very emotional speaker, who would get everyone in tears, and then live on an emotional high for a week, after which we would all drop into the depths of depression...rather than that, the speaker and the messages in general were a much quieter affair. The entire atmosphere was one of peace, and respect, and reverence. It was a lot less about feelings, and a lot more about God.

This, I feel, is how any relationship, romantic or otherwise, ought to be. A relationship is not made of feelings. It does not subsist solely on that fluttery feeling in your chest, the heady sense of well-being, or even the joyous excitement. All these are only symptoms, not source. In fact, in many cases, a relationship must subsist on sheer will power, and it flourishes in the very absence of its feelings. Humans, dependent on emotion as we are, often let our feelings get in the way of a truly fulfilling relationship.

Also at retreat, I learned a great deal about my friends. I saw some of them in a new light, in a more vulnerable state. I see them flawed, and broken, and not the put-together, everything-under-control person they normally are. And somehow, my love for them is increased.

Some people, when they see that someone is not as perfect as they once thought, would abandon him or her, and find someone else to attach themselves to. After all, it is only logical to connect yourself with someone who is stronger. However, the love of the Father defies logic. And the love of the Father dwells in the hearts of His children. Thus, we too can defy the logic.

Another thing that struck me was my own inability to help those who are hurting. Those of you who know me will know that I have led a charmed (I guess I should say "blessed") life. I have not had very major crises in my life, and if I have, I am probably refusing to acknowledge them. Thus, when I see other people hurting, I want so much to help and comfort, and yet have trouble finding the words to do so. I spent a good ten minutes staring out a window, praying about this.

And I have realized, not without some pain, that I am unable to love people as they should be loved. I am unable to speak their love language so that they can understand completely, and I am incapable of showing them the love that they deserve from me. Only Christ can truly commiserate, in the truest sense of the word, (look it up in a Latin roots dictionary), with people. I am helpless to sympathize or empathize. Only by letting Christ love through me, will I be able to show the love my friends and family deserve.

Ultimately, we, as fallen humans, are incapable of showing complete and perfect love for another, and thus, we should not expect perfect love from another human being, either. We are terrible communicators, easily distracted, and very, very selfish. Human love will always be marred with imperfection, never mind what the poets say. However, love, imperfect or not, is still love - hence, it is a reflection of God's nature. Our love is God's love, reflected through a broken mirror.

And one day, that mirror will be repaired.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. The day where people all over the world celebrate romantic love - and, if they can't celebrate that, the stoning of nauseatingly happy couples.

Annual Valentine's Day Stoning Of Happy Couple Held

I have more to say, but I am currently on urgent business (meaning a voice lesson), so I must be off. I'll post again sometime later today. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Love

Love is not...
a fancy birthday cake from Carlo's.
Love is...
your mom waiting in line for half an hour to buy you a cake from Carlo's, and then keeping the whole thing a secret so she can surprise you with it.

Love is not...
reading Jurassic Park together.
Love is...
reading Jurassic Park with your dad, and then discussing how to fix their security system flaws.

Love is not...
a secret handshake.
Love is...
You and your sister designing a secret handshake together, to be performed every evening before bed.

Love is not...
a hug.
Love is...
your brother insisting on giving you a hug at least once a day.

Love is not...
sharing your friend's fascination with Doctor Who.
Love is...
discussing and sharing Biblical applications of Doctor Who with your friend.

Love is not...
109 facebook notifications telling you "happy birthday."
Love is...
1 facebook notification telling you that your friend is praying for you.

Love is not...
a church building.
Love is...
the people of the church.

Love is not...
being in the same debate club together.
Love is...
having detailed discussions, both in and out of club, concerning both club-related and non-club-related tangents.

Love is not...
a story you wrote with a friend.
Love is...
your friend talking with you on voice chat for seven hours straight, as you write.

Love is not...
the adult who helps you with youth group.
Love is...
the adult who goes out of her way to help you and mentor you as you start the youth group.

Love is not...
complaining about the problems of Christianity with your friend.
Love is...
carefully dissecting and going through each problem with your friend, and then trying to apply to them to life.

Love is not...
the person who "follows" you on deviantart.
Love is...
the person who asks you why you stopped drawing, and encourages you to continue.

Love is not...
debating Protestantism vs. Orthodoxy.
Love is...
debating Protestantism vs. Orthodoxy, and then praying for one another afterward.

Love is not...
hanging out during speech and debate tournaments.
Love is...
watching each others' speeches and debate rounds, and giving one another detailed feedback and encouragement.

Love is not...
going skiing with your friends.
Love is...
your friend escorting you back to the lodge when you twist your knee, and then staying there to keep you company for the rest of the day.


Love is not...
a distant deity.
Love is...
a man on a cross, saying, "It is finished."

Thank you, Mom, Dad, Jiajia, PJ, Michael, Grace, Markian, Josh and Aaron, my church, Mrs. Sandy, Priscilla, Joel, Brandon, Chad, Ryan, and God. 16 people, or groups of people, that have made my 16th year of life the adventure that it has been.