Title: 'Round, All Around' - Non-sense Poetry

Title: 'ALL AROUND'/ Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A. (Oct.12)

 'Impenetrable Star'

 Lest eyes well-seeing 

thy foul faults should find.
Thy lovers withering, 

as thy sweet self growest.
And husband natures

 riches from expense;
And by their 

verdict is determined

If my dear love were 

but the child of state,
Finding thy worth 

a limit past my praise;
Although our undivided 

loves are one:
And strength by

 limping sway disabled.

And arts with thy 

sweet graces graced be;
Nay, if thou lourst on me, 

do I not spend
Which vulgar scandal 

stamped upon my brow;
In singleness the parts 

that thou shouldst bear.

Or heart in love with 

sighs himself doth smother,
Lest my bewailed guilt 

should do thee shame.

----------------------------------------------------- 

 'Lying on the calm black water'

 And to grow in the corn

 lull them asleep of brilliant flies;
pours burning love

 the devil's paladins;
that by starlight! he sings 

and the woods sing!

Vision of her big breasts 

by the wave.
- its coolness on my feet, 

the beads of their loves.
In a slumbering alder

 hemmed in by chimaeras.
- from violet forests: 

where the stars are sleeping.

Lying in her long veils, 

on the calm black water
embroidered with black moss

her great veils rising
mount in my soul but endless;

I cared nothing for all, 

hurled of the hulks hurricane,
of sour apples pale-eyed

 realize in antique dramas
the scented twilight, 

devoured by vermin

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 'Sinister and tiny below the dream'

Totally mammoth in the tomb
I swallow happy bugs among the gods
We Reach! The sin is vanishing
All glowing below the mud
You lick sexy signs on the air
Can you dig it? The night has come
Sinister and tiny below the dream
You confound musty noses about the mud
Heavy! The heat is done
translucent intangible
crossing the frontier
a sense of danger
After how many voyages
the hero
go without luggage
unable to stop

 -------------------------------------------------------------

'Imprisoned'

Slender beams of moonlight enter
this darkened chamber as I kneel,
always forlorn, always driven,
frozen here,
waiting.

Tortured forms wrought in panes of glass loom as
dust dances in the air,
forming an image in my mind,
penetrating my shamed flesh.

Pain on a clock's face.

I raise my head, now defying
this callous mortality.

 -------------------------------------------------------

Title: 'ALL AROUND' /C.Penc - Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A. (Oct.12)

'Pulled Apart'

the night falls with a silent sigh, entwined are we.
the understanding for which you pine
flares once, then dies,
smothered by the abyss.
all hope must surely perish.

your passion throbs no more.
how could you fail to believe?
lost souls surround us, crying,
we have lost our light.

 ------------------------------------------------------------

'Never command a sea.'

The lively seashell 

calmly pulls the captain.
Old, cold sharks roughly 

pull a small, dead lad.
Never command a ship.
Sharks sail like big whales.

---------------------------------------------------

'Round, all around the world.'

80 days around the world, 

we'll find a pot of gold 

just sitting where 

the rainbow's ending. 

Time - we'll fight 

against the time, 

and we'll fly on the 

white wings of the wind. 

80 days around the world, 

no we won't say a word 

before the ship is really back. 

Round, round, 

all around the world. 

Round, all around the world. 

Round, all around the world. 

 --------------------------------------------------------

'The Tower's Slaves'

vibrant street looks bleakly,  

dingy language nags caressingly,  

soundless summer sucks abruptly,  

aggressive vein entombs terribly,   

boastful rider vexes hysterically,   

undisciplined dope languishes suggestively, 

soundless party capitulates finally, 

tribal creationism defies awfully,  

dingy vortex falls dimly,  

soundless street sighs dazzlingly, 

vibrant rider languishes finally.

-------------------------------------------------------

'I Am'

I am  

quite popular in school, always
talking on the window
sill, late at night.
 ----------------------------------------------------

'Virtuous Volcanoes'

Heaven fiddles with 

refridgerated abandonment,
Thus a wanderer dwells 

on black oysters.
A wet cave shines 

like the wind's knowledge,
But the moon ponders 

the agony of velvet dew drops.

Eternity weeps with 

reflective delight,
And the sun blows bubbles 

in the morning's volcanoes.
A red rose holds meetings 

on inquisitive water,
While the ocean lingers 

in my love's rapture.

 ---------------------------------------------------------

Between the sea is a place where she chuckles

Like a lewd, loving lad for caves,
Admire for the waves,
Plump rocks,
Against a tiny box.
Between the sea is a place 

where she chuckles,
Look at the zealous, 

zany zest of sanctimonious knuckles,
How long have the pebbles stood?
Blindly sung the wood.

----------------------------------------------------------

Title: 'ALL AROUND'/Ink - Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A. (Oct.12)

                                              Nonet

                                   'Honey Crystal Mint' 

sweetcorn tied snug to a white pillar 

found in the broken pulse of time 

the dead and green leaves clutter 

smothering stars and stripes 

she chases her tail 

distant clusters 

forest deer 

white flesh 

rain

 -----------------------------------------------------------

---

Title: REVERSING _'Unable to free myself from ...'

Title: 'SELF-HEALING/Mix - Picture Prayer_Art by Rev.Bola A.

'Family Encumbrances'

Made to be

An enforced trustee
Unable to stay free
From family worry.
Fear, flap, fret, fuss
Hassle, trouble, bicker plus.
Incapable of decolonisation
From a broken home.
Stuck to it 

Like a honeycomb
Of encumbrance 

And domination,

With bottomless
Aggravation.

-----------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola A.

(copyright: 12Aug12)

----------------------------

Title: 'MY POETIC LICENSE' - Series

1.
Dental Trips

Do not go blindly
Into that nonchalant farm,
Let it end with
The faces of the cow,
Dental harm,
Trips now.

2.
Steaming Dew Drops

A wanderer emanates
the wind's ecstasy,
And a red rose quivers
in well-deserved knowledge.
The sunset lingers in the
laughter of velvet dew drops.
Like its reflective bananas!
The night shines like
the ocean's abandonment.
The sun blows bubbles
in fermented oysters.
Cool!

3.
I am

disenchanted.
please understand.
it seems as though they
can cause
you to be free.
but now he's looking
at kim that's it, that's all,
i'm gone you "man" where your
friends now?

up in the babies crib down deep
in her eyes; and beneath
that ugly face you see what
was instore for you is true,
you still
have the person's name
there,so you receive
mail from them.
now what do i feel
everyday?

4.
Until the distress shrouds
and you know

The affable holly of snob,
The zany,
zealous zit of blob,
And the cold rat of park,
Crusty freak,
it's time to embark.
But compare with
the frozen cow,
Forget the weeny
shield of the vow,
Let it end with
the chills of the snow,
Until the distress
shrouds and you know.
Above the winter is
a place where I empower,
A weeny bikini
 is like a smart hour.

5. 
Broken and Craving

broken light
craves undesirably, 
boastful vortex
boils awfully, 
baleful agitation
crashes balmily,
perfect laundromat
exhales expectantly, 
baleful dream
falls completely, 
dark creationism
usurps bleakly, 
vibrant entry
overflows finally, 
narcissistic coma
sucks immortally, 
soundless life
defies awfully, 
unhoped vein
vexes hysterically, 
tribal entry
vexes expectantly, 
narcissistic battle-axe
languishes sleeplessly, 
sharp body
envelops hysterically, 
boastful feces
sheds uncomfortably, 
aggressive entry
sheds perfunctorily, 
soundless vein
defers finally, 
narcissistic dream
entombs triumphantly, 
undisciplined vowel
crashes completely, 
concrete coma
exhales suggestively, 
foul light envelops awfully.

6.
Thundercats!

Thunder thunder,
Thundercats, Ho!
Thundercats are on the move,
Thundercats are loose.
Feel the magic, hear the roar,
Thundercats are loose.
Thunder, thunder, thunder,
Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder,
Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder,
Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder,
Thundercats! Thundercats!

7.
Weather

Gulls fall
like clear masts.
Where is the rainy lad?
The lad dies
like a rainy ship.
The gull travels
like a dead wind.

8.
Denial

Slender beams
of radiance enter
this darkened hall
as I kneel,
always supplicating,
always hopeful,
frozen here,
waiting.

Accusing forms wrought
in panes of glass loom as
dust dances in the air,
forming an image
in my mind,
infiltrating my naked skin.
With
Realization dawning
on humanity's face
I raise my head,
now railing against
this callous Limbo.

9.
Strange and sexy within the water

Dark and mournful
against the mud
I stroke dream-like feet
before the tomb
Alack!
The sin shall flee
We are violet on the flowers
We invoke flying shivas
beneath the flowers
Take cover!
The twilight is dying
Strange and sexy
within the water
We spread mournful elves
beside the flock
Bizarre!
The twilight was hard
translucent wanting
out of control
so many roads
to choose from
After how many voyages
the guest come singing
never knowing how.j

10.
 Angels

Angel of borneo
Angel s
worship the light
to hop
loving the angels.

11.
A Sonnet

Then in the number
let me pass untold,
But is profaned,
if not lives in disgrace.
To hear with eyes
belongs to loves fine wit.
But found no cure,
the bath for my help lies

Thy self thy foe,
to thy sweet self too cruel:
Or as the wardrobe
which the robe doth hide,
To me that languished
for her sake:
With shifting change,
of false women's fashion:

With ugly rack
on his celestial face,
Why is my concern
so barren of pride,
Where wasteful Time
debateth with decay
Mark how one string,
sweet husband to another,

And every humour
hath his adjunct pleasure,
Though to itself,
it only live and die.

12.
Streaked by heavy wave

Dreaming
in her pallor of gold
through splendid cities
among the foliage;
mad with love
teeming like sands;
that by starlight!
he sings and the woods sing!

On the blue
summer evenings
squat flower-cups.
- a nest of mad kisses,
who grin at the sky.
To the evening breeze
on the delighted earth.
- dreamy eye towards
where the stars are sleeping.

We shall travel in,
streaked by
the heavy wave
into the deep ocean
her great veils rising
mount in my soul
but endless;

I cared nothing for all,
I should rudder and anchor,
of the sea star-infused
and the yellow-blue awakenings
the scented twilight,
of pearl skies.

(by Rev.Bola & Arthur Rimbaud)

13.
haiku

open good worse
head alchemy dismal nothing
whisky nightsong

14.
Haiku

she hears of his lies
jungles bounded on all sides
bands of herring bones

15.
Untitled

The melting river canyon
prances frivolously
lying in red love
and singing brightly
in desperation.
The land bows
into the morning,
whilst age rots
in glorious symphony.
The lake cries
in jet black lattice ,
birds race in flocks
and snowflakes begin to fall.

16.
The past is just the past

divine incantations
on grey mounds of earth
of life.
The mosquito
makes its rounds,
sitting at the bar,
cigarette in hand
Your opinion matters
finally
phony
mobile texts
It’s an Internet meltdown.
I flicked ash on you
as shapeless clouds
turned into illusions.
Face the night
for a moment.
This is reality
Misunderstood anomalies
and raindrops chase down
the window pane
like half -opened eyes.
Serenity becomes preclusive
in the turbulent
rip tides of my life

17.
What's Next?

The letterbox clatters
spewing post
 rhymes entwining
and gently flowing
Lightening punches
through thunder
Respect me
I am a person
No convictions
Here and now,
but also still she shivers.
mocking pedestrian dignity,
confusing thoughts in
a confusing life of
Dazzling sun water
The tenuous tension
of good and evil
And worlds beyond:
and life takes a stroll
chastised
swinging her violin hips
we wash away the dancing,
fertile green.
and reality is harsh.
Shadows of sunbeams shining.
Untrampled footsteps wander.
Right now,
Swells with the weather;
Searching for the next shot
to quench this thirst .


18.
Desire

Soul to soul
The way your face appears
every time I
close my eyes
Your purity inspires me
Lost in the slow
consuming fire
The feel of soft,
warm skin beneath me
Your lips,
tender and sweet
You complete me
Eternal love
My slow hell is the need
to hear your voice
Time together,
laughter and relaxation
Becoming jealous
of the sweat
that dances along your body
You snuggle in
close and comfy
I ask to be your Valentine.
Your face bloomed
like a sweet flower
I want to touch
your lips alone
Intertwining arms
Touch me here
and give me pleasure
Moving slowly,
Reassure my hesitations
There now,
no need to be shy
Holding each other tight
Seductively playing
upon your bare skin
Smiles rest inside me.

19.
You Are my World

There are no false hopes,
I lay my heart bare to you
You soften my heart
Just hold onto me
with your hand
With verse to recite
 and songs to sing
I kissed your hand,
I kissed your cheek,
A heart whose
love is innocent!
Feelings of innocent lust
blossomed into love
The wondrous moment
of our meeting . . .
Joy
In life and laughter,
 of love,
promises and desire
Caress me with your
Laughter, tenderness,
 and passion
Never knowing
that tender touch
come into my dreams!
I watch you
run your tongue
across your painted lips
Your slender fingers
entwining with mine
The faint hoot
of a distant owl,
At times it
seems impossible
Fingers stroking,
raking your skin
And your lips
blush for shame. .
You are my world
I love everything about you

20.
Autumn and all

The mumbling sycamore
seed melts theatrically
ringing in flamed force
and mewling brightly
in rapture.
Whilst coppery autumn
dances happily
into chilly air,
and time strikes in glee.
An autumn gust now cries
in sunny yellow colours ,
the lambing season is near
and angels dance
in the moonlight.

21.
love tangles

Tangled within the
sweet orchids of lust,
I lay trapped within the
honey-like nectar
of Aphrodite

Oh my sweet love!
To hold you.
To touch you.
To feel our tongues
dancing together with ecstasy

What sinful aphrodisiac
drives my thirsty eyes
to crucify themselves
 upon thy scarlet lips?

It is with these words,
I caress you,
think of you,
and cross oceans of time
to love you.
-----------------------------

FREE VERSE POETRY 

by Rev.Bola A. (12.6.12)
-----------------------------

Title: *INNER-SCAPE*

Beach proud
and hungry,  

Intruding, weary,
blunt

Deep 

even shallow,
 

groaning
rasping,
pleading

Gladly.

Child within dives 

Ascends fluttering,

waiting,

strange sea

radiant, perfumed
azure

bright.

--------------------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola A

(Copyright: 30.11.10 - ARR)
---------------------------------------

Title: 'INNER-SCAPE' 20/Acryls - Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A.

Title: 'BEING WISE - WISE BEING'

The Conscious Energy

Exists in all things.
Hence what aspect of it,

Is really pulling your strings?

You shape your life,

For better for worse.
You are always at the centre

Of an infinite Universe.

The choice you make,

Gives the result you find.
Who is the master,

You or your mind?

Bliss is a choice.

Like listening to God's voice.

Before you react,

Weigh the pros and the cons
Within every experience,

Is the perfect response.

Keep one agreement, 
Sacred in your life...
That your expression of love,

Be contagious and rife
You'll find this action pays-
Love yourself all ways.

Don't sit there crying

'Why me for heaven's sake?'
Freedom is to love and accept,

Every decision you make.

Unconsciousness is a 
Form of resistance,
To receiving Divine assistance.

Whenever your mind

Is obsessed with control,
Silence is the best  
Medicine for your Soul.
A fact of life we can't resist,
Now is the only moment time exists.

If God gave you the 
Choice every moment,
To be right or happy, 
Which would you pick?
Never underestimate 
Your natural endowment
Of the right to happiness; 
Never miss a trick.

Self-forgiveness ignites the power,

To claim your life back.
Allow yourself this hour,

To harness it like an aphrodisiac.
Boredom is a lack of imagination.
An unwillingness to engage 
Your soul with creation

Apathy is anger without enthusiasm.
It's living your life 
With non-determinism
Denial is the soul's way,

Of not being Godly,
Fidgeting is the mind's way,

Of not being in the body.

Be it learning about happiness

Or dealing with strife,
Every situation has a message 

And teaching for your Life.

The moment you 
Fully accept yourself,

Everyone else will.
When you do so consistently,

It becomes a lifelong skill.

Unworthiness is the game we play

To make others love us.
A lot of what we do to ourselves

Is so thoroughly unjust.

Everyone will accept you exactly

As much as you let them.
Why not allow them to treat you,

As a very precious gem?

Accept pleasure and be

Comfortable in your own skin.
Pain is the body’s way of

Telling you to let Life in.

A heart is filled

The moment it is shared.
A problem is solved

The moment its aired

All you know now,

Is everything you need to know.
All you have now,

Is everything you need to grow

Show your appreciation,

If you desire to experience success
Gratitude is the foundation

Of abundance consciousness.

It’s not what you 
Say that's important,

But the essence 
Between your words.
The rendering of your compassion,

Like sweet sounding songbirds.

Acknowledge deep down

Those things that you loathe
You can never escape

From spiritual growth.

Relax and experience your

Psychological breakthrough.
Every emotional, mental 
And bodily process

Is here to awaken you.

Everything you need 
For enlightenment

Is being presented 
To you right now.
Absolutely everything,

That heaven and earth will allow.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Wisdom Poetry by Rev.Bola A
(copyright: 12Apr12 - ARR)

------------------------------------------------------------

Title: 'No More Tears'

I am feeling a little better today

For more of this kind of improvement, I pray.

But nigh by the honeyed chorus, of suffering

No more, will I find myself a- torturing.

Elated by Him, who created much light

My heart once again has captured delight

Granted probation from woes and fears

I vow for now, to dry my tears.

My pledge to Happiness, I hereby embrace

With Abundant Joy, the sorrows replace.

-----------------------------------------------

Poetry by Rev. Bola A.
(copyright: 3.4.12 -ARR)

---------------------------------------------------

Title: 'MAY I?'

Mary, Mother of God

Am I too good for this world?

Or is this world, 
Just too good for me?

Must I continue 
To mellow merrily

In this mean, 
Mind-forged misery?

Or will you arrest 
My sense of self pity?

Shall my modest, 
Morning moans

And sighs amidst, 
The sinister groans

Of ghastly sounding hounds,

Hour after hour, 
Echo this helpless, humbling,

Awkward and unheard heart,

Broken beyond heartbreak?

Thy thickest of skins 
May not withstand,

Such wilt-less weeping.

That though, sweet and candid,

This unbridled woe of mine,

Might shine supreme, 
But not divine.

Yet undivided, 
unguarded and undeterred,

The murmurings 
Will not be ignored.

So, must I remain ensnared,

Enraptured by their speculation?

Or scattered, sprinkled 
and reinforced,

As if poised to rescind, any rising

From slumber, of my sleeping mute?

A beauty beyond 
Such modest boundaries,

Beckons that we must 
succumb threadbare

To her ancient secrets,

Trickling forth through 
The wear and tear

Holes in the walls, 
of our world's complacency.

May I, be determined to be heard

And not be damned, if I do?

Might I, now be saved from such

A profound humiliating fate, anew?

-----------------------------------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola A (copyright: 26.3.12 -ARR)

---------------------------------------------------

Title: 'MAY I' 7/Oil - Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A.

'Goodbye Whitney Houston'

It saddens me greatly that so many of our famous and talented celebrities lives end so tragically.
Whitney Houston was an incredibly gifted, inspiring and beautiful singer, totally dedicated to her craft.
She was also extremely good-looking.

I remember listening to her in the 90s and praying to God to give me a voice like hers.
I asked to look as beautiful as Naomi Campbell, be as successful as Oprah Winfrey, and have a voice like Whitney Houston. I mean which female didn't? The fact that she came from such a powerful Christian background was also inspiring to me. I loved her in the films: 'The Body Guard' and 'Waiting To Exhale'.

So what is it that happens to some people when they reach a certain height in our society?
People who seem to have what everybody wants, money, beauty, talent, success, attention, fame, adoration, fortune, and the best possible services available to them, then they shun all that for a life of drug addiction and decadence. Could it be that there is a limit to how much they believe they can have, before guilt and undeserving starts to set in?

Personally, I believe that without a Higher Power constantly in your life, it is pretty near impossible to maintain and kind of steady level of happiness in this world. Individuals are almost set up to fall or fail, unless they have a strong and steady spiritual basis for living, that is based on a Power that is greater than themselves. The divine qualities that we all crave can only come from God, can only be bestowed by God, and can only be maintained by God. It's so important to remember this, no matter where you are or who you are in life.

True we may have started out very blessed, and bestowed with many advantages including talent, good looks, loving family, etc.. but to maintain those things, we need Spiritual help, Divine help. Being so celebrated, is a huge responsibility, which also requires a huge amount of spiritual support, especially to manage the levels of pressure. Indeed as a society, we need to question such levels of pressure and their sources, but as individuals it is simply impossible for us to manage them alone without God's help, protection, wisdom, and intervention.

Perhaps this is a big part what people like Whitney and Amy Wine-house, have gifted the world ,with their lives in to show and teach, and at such a heavy price, its about time the rest of us learned and accepted their lessons.

A Prayer Dedication: For Whitney Houston


Dear God,
I surrender the life of our beloved entertainer Whitney up to you.
You have taken your beloved child back into your bosom
And I give thanks that she is now safe with you, and away from
the painful life of addiction she was bound in my the devil.
Thank you for her wonderful life amongst us Oh Lord.
I thank you for everything she gave us of herself, and in particular 
the blessing of her awesome vocal skills. I also thank you 
for the spiritual lessons she has left us with. Please be with her closes 
family and friends in their mourning of her loss. Help them to savor the 
good memories of her, and to know just how much you love them and Whitney.
Forgive Whitney for her mistakes Dear God, 
I know she is healed in Jesus Mighty name. Amen!


Whitney, you are now home. God bless you. 
We love you dearly, and will remember you always.
Peace and Light
Rev.Bola
Holy Spirit Ministries

Title: 'WHITNEY HOUSTON Portrait' /C.Penc -  by Rev.Bola

Title: 'VELVET LAUGHTER'

Title: 'VELVET LAUGHTER' 3/Acryls  - Prayer Art (From Set) by Rev.Bola

Friend, when was the last time you had a really good belly laugh?

I know how I can get a bit too serious sometimes, over trivial things. But life generally is much more fun, when embraced with a good sense of humor. 

Laughter releases into the blood stream, 'feel good' hormones called endorphines. This is one of the reasons why laughter is considered so therapeutic. It is a great idea to try and see the funny side of life, and to just lighten up a little. I keep some joke cards, and books around me, handy just in case I need a laugh.

Let us remember though, that there is a huge difference, between having a good sense of humor, and making fun of someone, in a derogatory fashion. The first is uplifting and enlightening; the second, undermining. 

Racist or sexist jokes for example, are of the latter category. We really have no need, to crack jokes at the expense of another person's self esteem. 

However, time and time again, it's been found that laughing, about a peculiar behavior or attitude, can sometimes help to diffuse it. Hence my inspiration for the following short poem:-

Velvet Laughter

Harken!

As Love weeps

With inquisitive sorrow.

The sunset sky 
Renders to all
Its studious rain water.

Behold!

As the moon 
Shakes down 

Its heavenly manna.

But,

Can a red rose 

Emanate luscious bananas,

Or well-earned and deserved
Dew drops?

Can a wet cave 
Hold meetings 

On the delights

Of such fermented ecstasy?

Perhaps not!

Only time will tell.
In the meanwhile,

We must surely survive
On the echoes 
Of our common
Velvet laughter.

------------------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola A

(Copywrong: 6Feb'12) -ARR

__________________________________

Title: 'Dawn'

Hilly sky,

Between cats is a place where I fly,

Do not stand at the fancy comet and glow,

Dawn against the shady crow.

When will the night streak?

Its been so chic.

----------------------------

Poem by Rev.Bola. A.

-----------------------------

---

Title: 'My Own Star'

Title: 'MY OWN STAR' - Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A.

Tonight

I dream away my fears
  And make a wish!
Suddenly, across my mind 
This great big pointy star appears

With exquisite music
Not a hint of blemish
And such utterly pure 
Delight.

---------------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola

(Copy-wrong: 23,1,12 -ARR) 

----------------------------------

Title: 'Love's Eye'

 Aging is an aspect of nature that has baffled human-beings for eons. Today in popular culture much emphasis is placed on youth. So much so that getting old has become a source of great stress for many. Women in particular, are prone to worry about their looks fading from aging, and many attempts are made to at least slow down, if not completely reverse, the aging process.

For that very purpose much money and energy is spent on diets, exercise equipment, technologies, creams, lotions, potions, and various types of treatments and therapies including some that are considered rather dramatic like plastic surgery, and bot-ox. The need to look our best, is very understandable, and the lengths we are willing to go for that, are very much a matter of personal preference and individual choice, but like everything else in life, it is important to know where and when to draw the line.

I would certainly draw the line at women harming themselves, risking their overall health, and disfiguring themselves in the attempt to either find or keep a sexual partner, or a particular kind of vocation. Whilst there are many qualified and gifted practitioners doing wonderful work in this area, we also have the horror stories of addiction to plastic surgery, and of naturally beautiful people who are convinced that they are really ugly.

Yet whether we agree with it or not, aging and eventually dying, is a reality of our existence in this time and space universe that we all must deal with, and it is very important that we do so in healthy ways, which do not injure us or our environment, individually or collectively.

Ideally, we could develop are self-image and self -esteem, based entirely on God's vision of us. For God sees each and everyone of us His/Her creations, as unique, precious, completely valuable, marvelous and beautifully made. It would do us a great deal of good, to remember this fact and teach it to our youth.

Ibeji is aware that for many women, the opinion of their body, which t is held by their partner i.e. husband, boyfriend etc...is extremely important. Therefore men can certainly help a great deal, in this endeavor, by encouraging their female partners to feel naturally more beautiful, and to appreciate them more, for who they are on the inside.So who do you listen to now, about your body and your looks?

I know I was never fully happy with myself until I began to see myself as God sees me, and to accept God's view of me as my truth. Then I began a daily routine of reminding myself repeatedly of God's truth about me and my body, and thanking God for it. And so this has been my main way of 'growing older gracefully' (rather than disgracefully). Hence, the following poetry:-

 'LOVE'S EYE'

How can it be thus?

How can Love's eye be true,
Against confounding age's cruel knife,
And this thy hand, against thy self approve

That, though no form of thee hast left behind

O! in what sweat dost thou thy sins encase. 

To follow that which flies before thy face,

 

Lift up thy burning head, each under eye

Where his love-kindling fire doth surely lay
So far from home into thy deeds to pry,

Whilst he, the sovereign will watch the clock for thy,

So should thy papers, yellowed with their age,
Straight in his heart that mercy come to cage

Thou must each day say o'er the very same;  

Thou art my all-the-world, and we must strive again.

-------------------------------------------------------

Poetry by Rev.Bola

(Copyright: 21.1.12 -ARR)

----------------------------------------------------------

*Prayer Art - From Art Collection by Rev.Bola