With such longings
With much strife
My heart mutters lies,

Take my belongings
Take my life
My soul flutters... flies!

Here's something you don't see everyday. Although I've seen it a few times before on my street... A homeless man pulling a bicycle which is attached to the most astounding construct! Made of bicycle wheels and plastic webbing, chicken wire and aluminum piping, this huge mobile container for tin cans, and whatever this homeless individual can scrounge to resell, is almost the size of a garbage truck! And carries probably hundreds of pounds of aluminum cans.

In constant danger from cars and trucks, this is an outstanding testament to human ingenuity and dogged determination. The man marches on, stopping occasionally to take a container to dumpsters looking for cans. Whatever he can find.

I asked him if he needed something to eat or drink. He just smiled and shook his head. "I need to move on." And I realized he probably takes advantage of the nighttime to do his searching, as it is too hot during the day to do so. I smile and wave and wish him blessings.

If I ever feel like I am put upon in this life, I should feel ashamed. This man has shamed me utterly. I've invited him up to my porch in the past. Giving him food and drink. He is a believer. And I've never met a more cheerful brother in the Lord Jesus Christ! But he doesn't take any credit for his outstanding ingenuity and Drive. He gives the glory to God. I have tears in my eyes as I write this. He was also an addict and finds it very difficult to find a place to live due to his past. So he sleeps on the streets and does what he needs to do to survive. And survive he does!

I say a prayer for this stalwart. His name is Ben. Will you join me in my prayers (good thoughts)? I think he deserves them, don't you?

♡ Catherine

A guy walks into a bar
In a posh high rise hotel.
He doesn't look the part,
He is not a swell.

He's in an off-rack suit
It's not tailored silk.
Orders up a drink,
A tall.glass of milk.

He's tall, dark and handsome,
But his tie is just absurd!
He's got heavy glasses,
And looks just like a nerd!

Along the bar he heard a snort,
And a drunkard gave a sneer,
"Well, hey there kid,
The school's next door,
You're not allowed in here!"

He laughed aloud at his own joke,
And began to walk and sway,
A gap appeared as nervous folk
All slowly back away...

The drunkard called out to the nerd,
"What's wrong, kid, beer too fizzy?
Or is the truth just what I heard,
You're a no-good, yellow *****!!!

The handsome man was cool,
He didn't break his stride.
He pushed his glasses up his nose
And took the drunk aside.

The enebriated idiot
Looked him up and down,
But followed him to the window
Said, "Watchoo wan' here clown?

The dark man smiled coolly.
Said, "I'd like to make a wager.
Just a couple thousand bucks.
You know. Nothing major.

I'll bet you, my drunken friend,
I can jump out - but then
After I'm out this window,
I'll come back in again!!

The drunkard looked
him up and down,
And grinned an evil grin,
"If you wanna JUMP,  go right ahead,
This bet, I'm gonna WIN!

The handsome man just
Gave a wink,
And jumped out on the ledge.
He took one look o'r the brink,
And leapt over the edge!

The drunkard gasped
In total shock!
"My god, he must have died!!"
When in a flash there came a knock
The man climbed back inside!

The handsome man
Straightend his tie
"It's time to pay your dues!
Unless, of course, you'd like to try,
Or are you scared you'll lose...

"Scared!?!!" The drunk was livid!
"Well! I'm no chicken, friend!
I accept! " And so he lept!!!

And promptly met his end.....

The tall, dark handsome person
Went back to his drink.
He finished his milk quietly,
And tipped the keep a wink.

The barkeep, looking sour,
Said, "Well. More cleanup work.
Superman, I like you,

But sometimes you're a ****.


(C) Tryst
(C) SoulSurvivor

This song, it won't berate you
It won't, the Bible, beat
It's only a reminder
It's not meant to defeat.

It won't put you down at all
Once I was where you sit
It won't proselytize at all
(Well, maybe just a bit).

We enjoy the holidays, right?
With friends & family round!
We await the "Jolly Elf"
And happiness abounds!

RIGHT?

Deck the halls and celebrate!
Put on festive togs!
Put the roast beast in the oven
Burn those yuletide logs!

Christmas or Winter Solstice?
Does it matter, folks?
We're having FUN this time of year...
Laughing! Telling jokes!

RIGHT?

That's true of many people
But do ALL withstand the test?
There are those who have no family
Not all of us so blessed.

Those of us who have our friends
May not understand
But when you have nobody
Holidays ain't so grand.

(Chorus)

Those of us despondent
At this time of year
When everything seems gloomy
A light CAN, in us, appear!

No. Holidays aren't for everyone
No Christmas cards to send
But when you know a Savior

YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE A FRIEND.

(BRIDGE)
So let's light a candle
It is NOT THE END
Once you accept Jesus Christ
You'll always have a friend!

Catherine Jarvis
(C) 12/23/2019

a lighter shade of blue am I
looking up at the bowl of the sky
I wonder when, I wonder why
your love has gone, your love has died

I look out upon the sea
it's color reflects the heart in me
it's waves drift from aft to lea
I've cut the cord, and set you free

away you go upon the tide
I can't stop the hurt inside

you'll always be within my heart
and it's tearing me apart

it's all in what you say and do
I'm now a lighter shade of blue


SoulSurvivor
(C) 1/19/2016

HANNAH ROSE HAS ARISEN!!!

Alive by the Water
The River of Life
I wish it to fill me
Come goodness or strife
I want it to flow from me
I want it to well
I want it to heal me
Tale to tell!

God in His mercy
Won't keep us in jail
Jesus, our ransom
Provided the bail
The creature's been groaning
Since Adam's Fall
Jesus Christ saves us
O please heed His call!

All the king's horses
And all the king's gold
Can't stop a man's sickness
Can't stop growing old
Only God's Spirit
Brings life to the flesh
We can be healed
Our bodies refreshed!

I sit by this River
I put in my feet
Immerse my body
The Spirit to greet!
Then when Life's Water
Comes with an art
The Water saves lives

As it flows from my heart!


SoulSurvivor
(C) 4/13/2017

My car is on the fritz
My girlfriend has the flu
My boyfriend can't talk to me
What am I to do?

I don't want marihuana
I don't want to drink
It's dead on Hello Poetry
What am I to think?

I'd listen to some music
Or maybe just chill out
I don't want to know
What the heck it's all about

Why should I be bored?
There are still the stars
I can play connect-the-dots
From Jupiter to Mars!

My lil 'magination
Is just like kodakrome
I can leave my body
Let my spirit roam...

But I'm just too lazy
It's all too much to take
So I guess I'll raid the fridge

And eat left-over cake.

https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1249895/all-my-tears/

My apologies!
I can't figure out how to cut & paste.

be washed away

(with spoken word inserts
by soulsurvivor)

When I die don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world
left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole
Sun and moon will be replaced
By the light of Jesus Face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

- chorus -
It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be Home and I'll be FREE
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

SS insert -
Persecution I'll expect.
It's not surprising. Folks reject.
Still I LOVE my Lord so dear
I'll forgive and have no fear
Faced with evil on all sides
In the Lord I will abide
No force of hell can remove Thee
It don't matter where you bury me

---

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store
Come and drink and thirst no more
So weep not for me my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again

- chorus -

SS insert -
I will pass. That much is clear.
I'll leave my tabernacle here
Life is short, the time doth fly
So I'll go to kiss the sky
Then I'll know all mysteries
It don't matter where you bury me


A song written by Julie Miller
Performed by Emmy Lou Harris
and Selah (this version is below)
With inserts by SoulSurvivor

We all have flesh and bone
We have a spine that stands *****
10 fingers and 10 toes.
What difference does our color make?
Our plethora of tones?
How often do we cross the street
When a black one comes?
Ignore the coming thunder clouds
Ignore the coming storm?
Ignore those shot upon the street
Can you hear their groans?
How often do we look on race?
How can we atone?

When will we come out of sleep!
Wake up and see the sight!
You think you're kind... but you are blind!
In ignorance... in night!
Black lives matter! ALL LIVES MATTER!
Why do we have to fight?!!
Just because you wear a badge
Doesn't mean you're right!
What's all this that I hear about
A broken tail light?
I am named... I am ashamed

BECAUSE MY SKIN IS WHITE!!!


SoulSurvivor
(C) 7/11/2016

is like biting into
a scrumptious bar of chocolate
and tasting the wrapper.


soulsurvivor
(C) 11/19/2015

All you people on the street
Going through hard times
You don't have enough to eat
You see, and yet you're blind

America, America 🇺🇸
Once beautiful and strong
America, America
What is going wrong?

All you people filled with fear
Stricken by disease
You're now aware.it is clear
You're dying by degrees.

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you know you're ruled?
America, America
You're vaccinated fools

On your dark and dangerous trip
You try to find a way
But your golden crown has slipped
It's time for you to pray!

America, America 🇺🇸
You have lost your might
America, America
You had better fight!

With your nostalgic memories
You live in the past
Your great time is history
You knew is couldn't last.

America, America 🇺🇸
How you loved your gold.
America, America
Now you're getting old.

America,  America 🇺🇸
You've gone to the left
America, America
You will be bereft.

America, America 🇺🇸
You have played the part
America, America
You have lost your heart.

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you  know I live?
America, America
I can still forgive!

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you think it's odd?
America, America
You must again seek God.


Write of Passage aka
SoulSurvivor
Written 2007
Rewritten 2022

All you people on the street
Going through hard times
You don't have enough to eat
You see, and yet you're blind

America, America 🇺🇸
Once beautiful and strong
America, America
What is going wrong?

All you people filled with fear
Stricken by disease
You're now aware.it is clear
You're dying by degrees.

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you know you're ruled?
America, America
You're vaccinated fools

On your dark and dangerous trip
You try to find a way
But your golden crown has slipped
It's time for you to pray!

America, America 🇺🇸
You have lost your might
America, America
You had better fight!

With your nostalgic memories
You live in the past
Your great time is history
You knew is couldn't last.

America, America 🇺🇸
How you loved your gold.
America, America
Now you're getting old.

America,  America 🇺🇸
You've gone to the left
America, America
You will be bereft.

America, America 🇺🇸
You have played the part
America, America
You have lost your heart.

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you  know I live?
America, America
I can still forgive!

America, America 🇺🇸
Don't you think it's odd?
America, America
You must again seek God.


Write of Passage aka
SoulSurvivor
Written 2007
Rewritten 2022

---

i'm going to be off the site
there is something I must write

while i may seem to be gone
i won't be able to be on long

don't be saddened. I'm not bereft.
i've not been hurt. I have not left.

there's a story to be conveyed
a friend who has a lot to say

i'm writing series for her right now
i have to research to learn how

my mom is better, which is good
but I'm still caregiving as i should

i've been in a sort of daze
because i've been off site for days

talking with people on the phone
doing all the work alone

I'm writing this post as i am
don't want to be the source of spam

i just want to let you know
'cause some folks felt the need to go

but I'm not under troll attack
i'll be gone *but i'll be back

... he's made himself at home.
he's been a real ******
keeping me alone.

an alien moved in...
... he's eating all my food.
he's calling me all kinds of names
and being really RUDE.

an alien.moved in...
... he wants to remain.
he wants to tease and torment
take over my brain.

take over my brain
take over my heart
take over my body...
... and that is just a start.

he wants me to listen
to every thing he's said
he wants me to **** myself...
... yep... he wants me DEAD.

I'll pretend that i don't hear him
be the gracious host i am
then when he's not looking
I'll kick him in the can!

he'll be evicted!
I'll read my Word and PRAY
He is not EVER welcome here
I'm doing it... TODAY.

I am getting him out of here
This is not just talk
I'm getting ready now...

... THIS SUCKER'S GONNA WALK!!!

♥ Catherine

Not a poem. Repost please.

First I'd like to thank all the poets
who are so faithful to follow me.
You are wonderful!
I'm afraid I have been lax in doing
the same. There are many reasons for this. Some of which you already know. My mom is quite ill and my
father just had two operations on his
eyes. They are both disabled. As I am. I have stage four arthritis in both knees. So I'm helpful, but slow.
The reason why I am not able to comment on some poetry/repost/add to sites is due to my perfectionist nature. I feel like I'm not giving each poem the attention it is due. So I read and reread the poetry you write. I truly enjoy reading your work. But this also makes me SLOW. Plus I am a hunt n peck typist.

I am also behind the scene on the site message system. I truly want to respond to and help all who message me and request such. I'm not a minister or pastor. But I believe in God. And I want to truly emulate the Lord Jesus Christ. When people came to Him for help He didn't *send them AWAY. I want to apologize to all I have NOT responded to. I pray for you and sincerely wish you all the best! I hope that this is of
some comfort....

I know that these are a lot of excuses. But I'm leading up to a point. From now on all I have time to do is like and repost. I know that this has not been my practice in the past. But I want you to know that you are READ. And appreciated!

If you have any ideas about how I can make the most of my time on site please contact me via the site message system or comment. I'm relatively new to these sites and want suggestions.

Thank you! I love you ALL! ♡♥♡♥**

Catherine

Every letter we write
is a muscle. Every syllable
a bone. Every word a
vital *****. Every sentence
a sinew. Every paragraph
or stanza a skin...

Every poem a limb.

EVERY BODY OF WORK...

*US!

A heart resplendent
With hands raised
A heart that's joyfully
Singing praise!

A heart that's burdened
By all the pain
Yet still knows Jehovah reigns.

The first is happy, then will sigh.
The sorrowful will reach
And touch the sky!
Both will know that by & by
That in the end all in graves lie.

Those in sorrow
Need hands raised!
They've knelt in prayer
Now need to praise!

Those who are happy
In their way
Should bow a knee...
Begin to pray.

Life ain't easy. It ain't fair.
We all need...

An attitude of prayer.

SoulSurvivor
Catherine Jarvis
10/9/2020

creeps o'r the hills
golden honey
from clouds spills
rain that soothes
the heart and eye
the former broken
the latter cries

all at once
the morning star
doesn't seem
so very far
the peacock color
of velvet crush
hold its gem
in its soft clutch
the ghost of moon
a crescent be
to smile above
just for me

Thank You God
I only pray
You reveal

Your will today

in this game
I'm just a pawn
but the Sun rules
and now the
dawn


SoulSurvivor
(C)1/17/2016

---

quoth the raven...
                NEVER MORE
and the wind replied ...
                restore.... restore.

a waterbird
on a lonely lake
cried... whip-poor-will.....
and the wind said... take.

a snowy owl
in a gnarled tree
cried... who? who?
and the wind replied... THEE.


SoulSurvivor
(C) 12/13/2015

I'm not getting ANY emails from Hello Poetry. So if you respond to one of my comments I'm not going to know...

Thanks!

♡ Catherine

For reasons I won't go into
I can no longer get email.
Therefore, I cannot answer back to some of your comments in response to my commentary. Please forgive me!

Thanks!
Catherine

I will be off site for a while.
I must sort out some
personal problems.
Nothing life threatening.
Just aggravating.

I will be back soon.

♡Catherine

---


the Man
sat crosslegged
on a mat of
green reeds

the woman
gulped and
wept as she
broke the
beautiful bottle
and poured out the
oil of spikenard
(worth a year's wages)
onto the head
of the Man

grumbling from
the thief as he
saw the chance
for his fortune
running
down
the
beard
of
the
Man
he
valued
less
than
dust

but i set
these words
down in
rememberance
of this deed

for her

she valued Him
more than
her most prized
possession

more than her
own temple of flesh
she had perfumed

and so
she
prepared
the
Man
for
leaving
His
own.



in DEATH


soulsurvivor
(C) 8/17/2015

Imagine a high robotic voice
while reading this...
I WORK FOR THE MACHINE

HI!!! I'm a computer chip.
Yes! My brother's H.A.L.
Satan downloads to my brain,
But I am in control.

I am working for The B.E.A.S.T.
Big Brother's database.
Watch me take my orders.
Watch me interface.

I cannot get away now.
Hooked to the terminal.
I have lost all sense of self
And all my hope as well.

I am just a microchip
With no will of my own.
I am just a barcode
Made of flesh and bone.
Yes, I have been branded
On my forehead and my hand.
I gave my soul to Lucifer
I didn't understand...

I work for the anthill.
The anthill is my home.
I am the collective mind
I am just a drone.
I work for the anthill
Things aren't as they seem...
I work for the anthill.

I work for the Machine.


I will live much longer, yes.
I'm healthy, I'm not shy.
I will do as I am told
Although its all a lie.

The B.E.A.S.T. will take care of me
I will never want
I will follow to my death
Because I wear the MARK.

I will starve and persecute.
I will do it blind.
I hate all Believers
'Cause I don't have a mind.


I work for the anthill.
The anthill is my home.
I am the collective mind.
I am just a drone.
I work for the anthill.
I have lost my dream.
I work for the anthill...

I WORK FOR THE MACHINE.

The story Clinton Jarvis - my father.

Isle La Motte Roots

There's a place of quiet peace
In beautiful Vermont
It is filled with history
It beckons you, and haunts
In pacific Lake Champlain
It's called Isle La Motte

The lake is long and narrow
A lovely gem-like blue
The Island lies within its shores
It is a jewel, too.
Emerald in the summer
In fall a topaz hue

Old style houses charm us
With plain stone quarry frames
There are many maple trees
In fall these become flame
Churches with tall steeples
All barns look much the same.

From Blanchard's Point to The Head
North to south we go
Clark's & Reynolds to Fisk & Scott's
These east/west points we know
From The Lighthouse & Fort Stann
To the marble quarries low.

It seems the rock on Isle La Motte
Was formed from glacial ice
Which pressed the clay beneath it
As if it were a vice
The marble from the quarries
Is especially nice!

Samuel Fisk founded some of these
Marble blue, black, and grey
Many used the sturdy stones
Solid houses in the way
They can be found everywhere
And still stand to this day.

There was an ingenious sawmill
Powered by a boat!
A large and hearty steamer
By The Dock would float
The "Utica" by name
As sawmill founders wrote.

The taverns and inns
Had distinctive place
It would be so heartening
To see a merry face
There the weary travellers
Could find warmth and grace.

Famous for its apples
There are many orchards found
John Bowman & William Yale
Planted in the ground
My father was one who picked from them
Folks came from miles around.

The Fleury Store had merchandise
Sold to people from their stock
Carson's Store and Naylor's
Store to store the folks would walk
Often a place of meeting
Where people stood to talk.

Elizabeth Fisk. Creative.
She had looms, and linen wrought
This fabric so very fine
Much of it was bought
There were also boats and ferries
On an island... used *a lot!

Nelson Fisk secured the Post Office
James Ritchie built in stone
His relation, Cynthia
Maintained the library alone
Succeeded by M. LaBombard
For faithfulness much known.

Both Methodist and Catholic
Worship the Divine
The faithful go to churches
No matter what the clime
A place of fame on Isle La Motte
Is lovely St Anne's Shrine.

The original schools on Isle La Motte
We're founded by strong men
Independent. Intelligent.
Created they back then.
Back in 1782 they had discerning ken.

The school my father went to
Only had one room.
He graduated the 8th grade
For his future groomed
But went to High School elsewhere
Back then quite a boon!

The Jarvis' were tennent farmers
Not much to be made
But the beauty of the place
Embraced them in its shade
T'was in this environment
Where young Clinton played.

Amongst the leaves - jade and fire
Honey'd amber caught
He found a love of nature
He was reared and taught
Here his story started

A place called Isle La Motte.


SoulSurvivor
Catherine Jarvis
(C)1/11/2017

Look, there goes the Alley cat
Hear her strangled meowing
It don't beguile, for it is vile
Much like a sewer flowing

Ladies of the evening
Women of the street
Would blush and be embarrassed
To hear such trick or treat!
I'm upset, cuz I don't get
How that foul mouth can EAT!

But there's a strange compulsion
Which comes like a deluge
Her smiles gay, but don't defray
The Battle of the BULGE

Like felines she vocalizes,
Is her life like that?
If she's raw, and long of claw,
Is she like a cat?

How far will she let you?
How far will she GO?
Perhaps she battles demons
No-one else can KNOW

Myself, I can't condemn her
She had substance abuse
But she's not free, cuz she can't see
That SCINO'S not the TRUTH!

And she's a Public Figure!
Little girls look up to her!
She doesn't seem to know this
Did it not occur?

She cusses like longshoremen
Refuses to see
That she's made a grave mistake
In Scientology.

Does she believe they're helping?
This Science of the Mind?
Lord above! If she does
Then she's completely BLIND!

You're responsible, my lady.
Do you know that you teach?
The modern young, and they become
The little slaves you PREACH!

Miscavige isn't awesome
Scientology's NOT "COOL".
It's wicked beyond belief!
You're being played the FOOL!

Whatcha gonna do, girl?
You're an ingenue no more.
Do you doubt? Gigs DO RUN OUT
Will you play the *****?

"Ah, NO!" You may be thinking
From my stance I shant tumult!
A cow, I'll graze, I'll be unfazed!
There's always the CULT!

But, dear, a storm's a'brewin
A tsunami of greatsize
They pamper you and praise you
But it's a web of LIES!

What will you do when flooded?
Will you weep and cower?
David's boat won't stay afloat!
It ain't no IVORY TOWER!

Baby, don't you get it?
Or are you just that THICK?
You will die, and then you'll FRY
A moth unto a WICK.

God has a sense of humor
Yep. He surely DOES!
AND YOU WON'T BE PROTECTED.
He don't help folks "just because...

My advice? For what it's worth?
I'll put in my two cents.
Leave that God forsaken CULT!
GET HUMBLE AND REPENT!!!

Sugar, whatcha stay there for?
Their ratings goin' SOUTH
Just believe and you'll receive...

Then, clean up your MOUTH!


Catherine Jarvis
aka SoulSurvivor
(C) 3/20/2017

by James M Vines*

I am weary from my journey
and the lights have grown dim
around me.
My cross is heavy and the
mountain is steep.
Often times I fall,
but only to my knees.
That is where the Lord catches me.
When I think i can go no further,
He takes my hand.
He tells me,

"Child, we walk together
down the straight and narrow path."

Though i bear the scars of
many battles, and there are a
few more I must fight,
I know that soon I will be
over the mountain into a land
of eternal light.
At the chilly banks of the Jordan,
that is where I will
put my cross down,
I will wade into the water and
come out to claim my crown.
In a new body free from sorrow,
I will walk straight and upright.
In the Lord's divine presence
I shall praise Him 10, 000 years
for taking the time
to be my guide.

Posted by SoulSurvivor
5/24/2015

~~《♡》~~

may your penship be worthy
may your heart be bold
may the parchment that beckons
be edged with pure gold.

may your sails be caught
by a breeze off the sea
may the coasts where you sail
be nations free.

may your mast be lofty
a pen full of might
may your skies be scarlet
only at night

may your stars be bright
as you sail where you will
may ink flow like a river
from an angel's quill.

may dimensions make music
may your muse scream
may you dream your life

may you live your dream.

~~《♡》~~

soulsurvivor
2/3/2015

I want to thank my poetfriends  
for all of their support
I thought of all the things I'd do...
We'd go to a resort!

I'd take them out to dinner
at some five star hotel!
I would buy them flowers
and chocolates as well!

I'd give them the moon!
Lasso the sun and stars!
we would tour the UNIVERSE!
JUPITER and MARS!

But I know a poet's heart
and it is agreed
the best way to thank you all

is simply *to READ.

Whether s/he be
In chains & fetters
Lazy or a
Real go-getter
Using pen
Or tech typesetters
Staid & proper
Or upsetter
A Poet remains
A wo/man of letters.

Ugly or quite
Fair of face
Present.
Gone without a trace
In polyester
Or fine lace
Sure of pen
Prone to erase
Poets ALL
We bestow grace.

Well read or
Quite ignorant
Cogent or
Lacking in sense
Wealthy or
Don't have one cent
Nostalgia or
The present tense
Poets have their
Eloquence.

Wo/man! We the
Letters make!
It is all a
Give & take!
Get going
For goodness sake!
Whether you are
Real or fake
Heck! We ALL
make our mistakes!
Whether we are
Gent or rake
We leave MENSAs
In our wake!

So on it goes
We laugh or sigh
We celebrate
Or weep & cry
We struggle on
We try the rye
We are awake
Or bleary eyed
Life can't stop
It will pass by
It will pass

UNTIL WE DIE.


Catherine Jarvis
(C)12/22/2019