Author: carlfmaulbeck

In the movie "Harvey", Elwood P Dowd, played by Jimmy Stewart, explains coping with the world this way: "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' - she always called me Elwood - 'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." Well, for years I was smart, oh so very smart, I too recommend pleasant - Trust the harmony

… with the eyes of God

On By carlfmaulbeckIn VirtueLeave a comment

Seeing with the eyes of God,
I peer through my own façade.

Accepting my personal role,
I wonder what does God see
through the window of my soul.

Listening without deflection,
I shudder in realizing,
I am divine reflection.

The beauty of the flower
is its awesome blossoming,
standing tall in a shower.

While watching without winking,
God’s eyes gleam with gentleness.
So, I stare without blinking.

God’s eyes focus the blurry.
With eyes wide shut, God says,
be happy and don’t worry.

With God’s eyes, love is not blind.
With God’s eyes, mercy is kind.

Joy and Sadness

On By carlfmaulbeckIn VirtueLeave a comment

Joy and Sadness go hand in hand.
Sadness without Joy is despair.
Joy without Sadness is cheeky.

Sadness is vital to Joy’s joy,
adversity provides comfort,
loss increases happiness.

Joy is vital to Sad’s sadness,
confidence overcomes distress,
gain often only comes through pain.

Sadness makes Joy’s joy real,
hope listens with an open heart,
rosy lenses shield helpless eyes.

Joy makes Sad’s sadness real,
teary eyes are gently dabbed dry,
furrowed foreheads are unwrinkled.

Joy and Sadness go hand in hand,
Sadness with Joy is complete,
Joy with Sadness is total.

What

On By carlfmaulbeckIn SensesLeave a comment

Have ears to hear
eyes to see
and the heart to listen

‘Daddy”
“What?”
Young eyes are guileless
Sincere questions
get
sincere answers

“Dad”
“What!”
Her eyes were wide open
Surprise, surprise
means
shock and awe

“Pops”
“Whaaat!?”
His eyes were glaring
raging outrage
needs
measured response

“Papa”
“Whattt?!”
Older eyes stare intently
Inciting incites
make
authentic truth

“Old man”
“what”
The mirror reflects tired eyes
Looking back
shows
what’s looking back

The heart that listens
has ears that see
and eyes that hear.

Happiness

On By carlfmaulbeckIn WeatherLeave a comment

It was a harsh winter
record snows
record lows

I absorb the sun’s warmth
enjoying the kindness
I am content

It was a harsh winter
money woes
money blows

I bask in the sun’s brightness
peacefully enlightened
I am at peace

It was a harsh winter
wrinkled toes
wrinkled nose

I rest with the sun
embracing the stillness
I have mercy

It was harsh winter
ruined clothes
ruined goes

I sit still for the sun
calm and relaxed
I am happy

Washing the Dishes

On By carlfmaulbeckIn VirtueLeave a comment

The dishes lay there –
left to languish –
frustrated from their purpose.

Left there in the sink –
disrespected –
the stainless steel bowl besmirched.

Sudsing up is good –
reincarnates –
they so want to be useful.

Then too, soiled is good –
real fulfilling –
unsullied is not service.

Cleaning is for them-
Redemption –
as for me it is Practice.

Hear with Heart

On By carlfmaulbeckIn Heart2 Comments

My hardened heart must hear the cry of distress
my neighbor is in need, I have-to respond,
it does not take an earth-shaking miracle

“Pray to be filled with compassion, with pity,
with charity for all… come down quickly
from the mountain of conceit”

The marginalized just want to be heard,
I must say, “I am willing” with my whole heart
the healing is in Listening

The abandoned are voiceless from screaming
I realize to change I must be willing to be changed
the miracle is in Acceptance

To get home, we must lean on each other,
and walk together as companions,
inseparable union begins with Trust

Be

On By carlfmaulbeckIn Life and Death2 Comments

No good becomes it; “to be or not to be”
Before befallen belittles, be still

Behaving because besmirches benignity
Besides bemuses, beneath betrays
Befitting bewails belongs behind

Bewitched beheading befuddles bewilderment
Begin believing beyond betwixt
Behest begets being befriended

Behalf beseeching bestows beauty
Between beloved behold be loved
Bemoan bereavement, beckon bequeathing

Begonias blooming be begonia’s bloom
“Let it be,” and “all will be well”, – It’s all good