Poetry

Suicide or Homo-cide?

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A gay student’s death births outrage

You know Ty Clementi who took his own life.
He jumped to his death (so some say).
But those who know better insist he was pushed
by bullies convinced Ty was gay.

That gifted violinist in search of a beau
was shamed by his roommate and friend.
Through Skype and through Facebook Ty’s closet was bugged
which prompted his premature end.

Regardless of how you explain same-sex love,
all persons are precious to God.
We’re shaped in His image. He formed us with care
while breathing His life into sod.

Gay people are people. And whether you think
that nurture or nature’s the cause,
Christ calls us to love them convinced of this truth:
no one measures up to God’s laws.

God, bless Tyler’s parents. Please give them the means
to deal with their heartbreaking loss.
And give us the courage to stand up to hate
because we’ve been loved through the cross.

Tea Party Ponderings

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

What began one night in Boston still continues in our day

In Beantown in the days of Paul
not all revered King George.
His government was deemed unjust,
inflated and engorged.

And so began a party
(in the harbor) bailing tea
to protest too-much government
from sea to shining sea.

This party of Republicans,
of Democrats and more
just find it hard to swallow
what the liberals tend to pour.

It’s a party of more simple tastes
where herb tea’s plenty strong,
where what is brewed and steeped at home
can’t be considered wrong.

Both iced and hot, it’s tea they crave.
It is their drink of choice.
The “we the people” party want
each state to have their voice.

Facebook: The Original Version

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

The Bible is God’s attempt to “friend” us

It’s a book of faces (leatherbound)
in which I’ve looked and where I’ve found
profiles in courage, downcast eyes
and blemished skin like mine.

Adam’s wrinkled face is old
and Moses’ face is fierce and bold,
while David’s ruddy countenance
suggests a poet’s soul.

In Esther I see bravery.
In Ruth I see true loyalty.
But in poor Job’s revealing brow
I see the scars of pain.

The Virgin Mary has a glow
while Judas’ head is hanging low.
The way each person faces up
to truth is clearly seen.

In Peter, Paul and Timothy
each face reveals the likes of me…
afraid and flawed yet claiming faith
reflected in their eyes.

But most of all there is a face
in whom I see amazing grace.
His smile pictures haunting love
that seeks until it finds.

This Facebook finds God friending me
just as I am without one plea.
It’s bound to be the means by which
I recognize His face.

Yom Kippur Confessions

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A Christian’s thoughts about a Jewish holiday;
America’s Got Talent! So Do You!

Yom Kippur Confessions
A Christian’s thoughts about a Jewish holiday

The Jews around the world are one
with prayers that they will be at-one
with Him who flung the stars in space
and breathed His breath in man.

To be at-one means no divide
between two parties side-by-side.
At-one-ment is a sign that peace
is not a prayer but fact.

At-one-ment was made possible
(not by a ram or goat or bull
but) by a spotless, sinless Lamb
that shed His blood for all.

At-one-ment on this holy day
means there is One who paved the way
by bridging sinful, selfish us
to a most holy God.

* Yom Kippur is the “Day of Atonement” celebrated by Jews the world over.


America’s Got Talent? So Do You!
So what do you do well?

The little girl with the grown-up voice
was not our nation’s final choice.
With gifts and poise beyond her years,
she fell a wee bit short.

Through Broadway tunes young Jackie showed
she knew success’s narrow road.
And though that journey yet awaits,
at ten she’s still a star.

When all the votes were finally in,
the winner was one Michael Grimm
who plans to share his million bucks
with kin down in the Gulf.

America’s Got Talent! True?
Aren’t you amazed at what folks do?
From opera singers dressed in drag
to pint-sized Fred Astaires.

And what’s that thing at which you’re good?
You need to share it. Yes, you should!
For when you do what you do well
both you and we find joy!
 

* Check out the amazing voice of Jackie Evancho (the runner-up of America’s Got Talent)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPITHzdUUDk

Mosque Feelings Can’t Be Masked

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Coming to terms with an emotional issue;
From Newark to Shanksville;
Don’t Burn the Koran! Read It!

Mosque Feelings Can’t Be Masked
Coming to terms with an emotional issue

That’s holy ground where towers fell
where hate-inspired infidels
inflicted wounds upon our land
that never will quite heal.

Ground Zero we have called that space
where terror showed its ugly face
and still haunts blocks where offices
have yet to be rebuilt.

Within this graveyard of great grief
we’re called to exercise belief
that evil will in time give way
to good and love and peace.

But what of plans to build a mosque?
Do those who want it know the cost?
The price tag of religious rights
is far more than they think.


From Newark to Shanksville
Remembering United Flight #93

From Newark to Shanksville.

It was a one-way flight
those aboard United #93 had not booked.
San Francisco was their intended destination.
But the nation would soon learn
of a revision to the itinerary
arranged against their will.

From Newark to Shanksville.

It was a surreal nightmare
of apocalyptic proportions
for the forty innocent victims
aboard Flight 93.
Less than 93 minutes after take-off
their hopes went up in smoke
as their dreams crashed and burned.

From Newark to Shanksville.

It really wasn’t that long of a journey,
but the journey of grief that continues
nine years after is far beyond
what any surviving family member
could have expected.

From Newark to Shanksville
from so-long to goodbye.
From weekend plans to buying plots
and asking “Why, God, why?”

Why did the hijackers succeed?
Why did the towers fall?
Why did so many die that day
beneath a tragic pall?

Why is Ground Zero still a hole?
Why do “heart holes” remain?
Why do they take so long to heal?
Why do they cause such pain?

Why does this anniversary
tear at emotion’s scabs?
Why does this day seem dagger sharp
as memories slice and stab?

Oh God, please buffer all who mourn
from that which haunts the soul.
Inspire them as they recall
the one who said “Let’s roll!”

* Shortly after Todd Beamer and the other passengers and crew of United Flight #93 perished on September 11, 2001, I got to know Todd’s parents. My poem a year ago on this website was dedicated to them.

http://partialobserver.com/article.cfm?id=3326

Don’t Burn the Koran! Read It!
A case for building bridges (not blowing them up)

A minister in Florida
who’s known as Pastor Jones
is not reflecting Jesus’ love.
About that there’s no bones.

Why burn a book considered “blessed”
by those we hope to reach.
Does such a vengeful act of hate
ring true with what we preach?

Are we not called to follow peace
and love in Jesus’ name?
How dare we mock a holy book
by setting it aflame?
 
To burn a book that teaches hate
flies in the face of love.
Are we not called to turn a cheek
when others push and shove?

Within the Muslim book’s a key
that likely will unlock
a door of friendship and the chance
to meaningfully talk.

Instead of burning the Koran,
how ’bout we take a look
at what it says that corresponds
with what’s within “our Book”?

* A fellow Covenant pastor here in Seattle wrote an enlightening post on his blog. In it Eugene Cho contemplates how Jesus would interact with the opportunity to burn a Koran.

http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/what-would-jesus-do-burn-the-koran-or-eat-with-his-muslim-neighbors/