Partial Observer

An Advent Prayer

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

New lyrics to an ancient Advent hymn

O come Befriender of the lonely soul
and fill their emptiness until it’s full.
Stand by the grieving as they weep
and walk with them although their path is steep.
Rejoice, rejoice, our Friend who knows our plight
and be to us a candle in the night.

O come Defender of the working poor
and give them what they need (and then some more).
Provide them with the means and way
to give their children toys with which to play.
Rejoice, rejoice, our only sure defense
and comfort those whose burdens are intense.

O come Redeemer of our nation’s wrongs
and fill our hearts with plaintiff, hopeful songs.
Confront the demons that divide
especially hateful prejudice and pride.
Rejoice, rejoice, Redemption’s Child, rejoice
and give all those who worship You one voice.

O come Fulfillment of what God has deemed
and satisfy creation’s deepest dreams.
Accomplish all that love demands
and bring about the peace that You have planned.
Rejoice, rejoice, Fulfiller of God’s heart
as we rejoice and sing “How Great Thou Art.”

tune: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

A Day of Infamy (Revisited)

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Pondering Pearl Harbor 75 years later

On that Sunday in December,
morning broke and shattered peace
as the Japanese attacked our anchored fleet.
Might you know someone who witnessed
that grim day of infamy?
It’s a day our nation contemplates this week.

The pearl of Honolulu
(like a gemstone of the sea)
gleamed with beauty while reflecting Nature’s light.
But that jewel became the target
of a nation bent on war
that would bomb the living daylights into night.

We still grieve for those who perished
in Pearl Harbor’s bloody bay
as we listen to survivors tell their tale.
In their well-rehearsed descriptions
of the Hell that they observed
you can see the flames and hear the victims wail.

Let the images recounted
animate our firm resolve
to defuse the threat of war at any cost.
May that nightmare that still haunts us
find us praying for world peace
as we take some time to honor those we lost.

*This poem is dedicated to Lois Dusenbery. At the time of this post, at 104 years of age, she was the oldest resident at Covenant Shores Retirement Community and was an eyewitness to the attack at Pearl Harbor.

A Farewell to Fidel

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Saying so-long to a short-sighted bully

A suburb of Miami
(separated by a sea)
is an island sniffing freedom
that with Castro couldn’t be.

While that bearded man smoked stogies,
Cuba limped along quite lame.
Communism was his mantra.
Marxist doctrine was his aim.

Among Cubans tears are flowing
born of joy and born of grief.
Is democracy forthcoming?
Or just more tobacco leaves?

Well, the answer is uncertain.
Cuba’s future’s up for grabs
now that death has claimed a victory
o’er the man in olive drabs.

Thanksgiving Memories

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Remembering my mom and dad

I’m thankful for my mom and dad,
for all the special times we had
around a table playing games
and watching Lawrence Welk.

I’m grateful for those times of prayer
and godly wisdom they would share
to guide me on the path of life
as I pursued my dreams.

Their discipline was tough to take
when I would pound a willful stake.
But I, in time, could clearly see
they had my good in mind.

I’m in their debt for what they did
when I was quite a clumsy kid.
They recognized where I excelled
and heralded my worth.

I’m guessing you had folks like me
who took the time to help you see
how much they loved you (warts and all)
because of who you are.

So on this day for gratitude,
embrace a melancholy mood
and thank God for the folks you had
imperfect as they were.

And even though they may be gone,
the shoulders you are standing on
will always be a cause for thanks.
God bless their memory!

More Than the White House

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

What happens inside our houses is what matters most

Our eyes have been focused on that place in D.C.
where the head of our nation resides.
That mansion with pillars near Capitol Hill
is a place some fear tyranny hides.

We’ve come to believe what takes place there is huge.
That the President takes precedent
over every day doings and choices we make
and the dollars we’ve saved or we’ve spent.

But it’s more than the White House, it’s also your home.
Who lives there determines much more
than Trump or Obama or Clinton or Bush,
McCain, Edwards, Romney or Gore.

The hope of our country cannot be defined
by one President’s goodness or sin.
What dictates our future are those in our house
and the values we nurture within.

Our attitudes, actions, reactions and talk
reveal what exists in our hearts.
The Savior insisted the fruit of a tree
is the proof if it’s sweet or it’s tart.

And if we are seeking to live as God asks,
the impact is sure to be known.
The virtues and righteousness practiced by most
can’t be trumped by one leader alone.

The strength of our nation consists (as it were)
through the prayers and the faith of its folk.
The gauge of a people is not in one man
or the promises candidates spoke.

We’re called to contend on our knees for the one
who’s elected, appointed or crowned.
The prayers of God’s people will prompt those who lead
to remember they’re on holy ground.

And more than just praying God calls us to live
in such a way so as to love
the ones who disgust us (who bully and boast)
whose tactics we’re embarrassed of.

We are called to be loving, forgiving and kind
and model what Jesus would do.
Giving our enemies chances to change
in spite of the goals they eschew.

We’re invited to practice the presence of God
every day and in every place.
We serve Him by helping the lost and the least
and extending “unlovables” grace.

And though not elected, we’re ambassadors
and our homes are the Lord’s embassy.
The Kingdom of Heaven is modeled on earth
in a way that our neighbors can see.

We’re creating a culture that can’t be contained
by the walls of the homes where we live.
It’s a culture of kindness where peace is pursued
and where those who have plenty will give.

And yet in the meantime, let’s pray for the one
who has just been elected to lead.
Let’s ask God Almighty to bless Donald Trump
and provide him the help that he needs.

*based on these words from St. Paul: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people? 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people…” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)