Quote: Lost in the velvet of your heart I am
none else but, your Valentine !

Finding my way back to the days when you and I were  young
I flip back the pages of our youth and smile  
Two wide eyes juveniles meeting at the altar of love
ready to meet each other soul to soul ...
Enraptured in this moment of sweet remembrance
I recall the young man I once married.  
How he always stayed by my side and never tarried
when it came to loving me,
he was always, right on time..

Before I down my cuppa, before I brush me teeth
let me go down on one knee and pray to thee
Before the sun arises and before the world rises
let me close my eyes so you can hear my cries

Lord, may you always be my guiding light and friend
so I can live beside you until the very end  
Lord, teach me how to be  brave in a world full of fear
so I can be truthful to myself no matter whom I draw near

Before I put on my makeup on and leave the house
let me walk towards your oceanic penthouse
Before I dip into the sea or walk onto encrusted earth
let me slip into my minion wings, the ones you gifted me at birth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn-_xr3uCEQ

WHEN THE WORLD AT LARGE GIVES US LOUD SOUNDS AND OVERSTIMULI
OF NEWS AND DRAMA, WE NEED TO STOP AND RECENTER THE  UNIVERSE,
INSIDE OF US .   THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO FIND REFUGE IN OUR LAIR ,
AND LIVE IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUR THOUGHTS FOR A LITTLE  WHILE.
LOSING THE CROWD DOES NOT ME WE DO NOT CARE , IT MEANS WE
NEED TO PRACTICE SELF CARE, REALIGN OUR CHAKRAS AND RECENTER
OUR BEAUTIFUL MINDS . FOCUSING ON HOPE, ENDURANCE AND STABILITY
HELPS US ACCOMPLISH ALL THAT WE HAVE SET OUT TO DO.
(BREATHE IN AND OUT SLOWLY )
HOPE IS A FEELING OF TRUST, WE CAN ILL AFFORT TO LOSE IT
WE CAN WIN EACH DAY, IF WE TAKE THE TIME TO EMBRACE IT.  
WHEN DARKNESS THREATENS, IT IS THE LIGHT OF HOPE THAT BECKONS
WHEN WE FACE OUR DEMONS,  IT IS ANGELS THAT LOVE US WITHOUT TREASON
IF WISHES ARE MADE OF PAPER AND CREPE, AND PROMISES ARE MADE OF AIR
THEN THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONCRETE IN OUR HEARTS , IS    "HOPE "
WHEN THE WORLD AT LARGE GIVES US TOO MUCH TO BEAR, THE ONLY THING
THAT CAN KEEP US ALIVE AND CENTERED IS TO BELIEVE IN HOPE ,
THROUGH SOLIDARITY OF FAITH, FOR EACH OTHER, AND THROUGH EACH OTHER
WE BECOME BOTH PEACEFUL AND STRONG,  LIVING TOGETEHR AS ONE.
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPpyZaZd6Y

May you be illuminated by your intellect and lead along the path of righteousness
may you be lifted up, a lantern onto the heavens with spherical love and compassion
Light, shall be cast upon your path as you walk towards life with heart wide open...
Energy rays of warm will reach your solitary state of mind and infuse you with joy
creating in you the diamond halo of eternal life...
Come journey through your thoughts and quiet the still of your voice.  Inside of you
chains are being loosed.  You are being freed from every illusion and pre-concept.
May the Universal Mother embrace you and bless you her waters of anoint  
and bring you to the font of healing, as you shine and live.  
Only you own the key to your inner Kingdom, only you can open the
time belt of knowledge.  Allow your sacral energy and color to vibrate and change
until its a lovely shade of sapphire blue. Pierce the veil of confusion, enter into communion with your clear self.   A world of magic awaits, reconstruct the
way you perceive things.  Do not be afraid of change, you have the effulgent
beams of stars and moon at your side. They will show you how light your travel
can be, allow them to take you gently home.
May the benefactor of your body, mind and soul, infuse you with Hope, as you
walk through this valley called earth. You have been given the knowledge of
true self, so drop your false illusions and climb up the ladder of contentment.
Thank you for listening , this is Mystic Rose ,  until we meet again, Be Well.

She was beautiful in a way that only nature understood
walking out into the sunlight she turned sunlight into Hyde  
raven black hair that fanned, two eyes of mesquite wood
no taller then four feet guided with a partnered girl guide

Little did I know she belonged to the day camp next door
recovering from trauma she'd been matched and supervised
all I said to her was,  " your beautiful" no less,  no more,
she froze turned around and ran, all I saw was her backside

Later I was told she had been burned and scarred by an Uncle
I assumed the word beautiful was a Stanley knife to fear  
she reminded me of a meteor rock, a magnificent Runkle
that burned very brightly as she re-entered earth's atmosphere

Oh she was beautiful  in ways only nature could not misconstrue  
truth be told I sat on a bench and cried, deep inside I felt her pain
so I painted her a butterfly so she could put it on her window pane
and at the bottom I inscribed the words, "Rolla, I love you "

July 15, 2021

Have you ever given thought on how language  impacts you,  
good or bad it all depends on the words you ruminate & chew
be careful what you choose to expel when your mouth spews
for it can either bless someone or wound,  bet you never knew
  
that one can learn to ponder words and usher without blurt
do not speak on angry terms for all it does is bring more hurt  
when the sun go down, tuck away hostility and don't be curt  
make sure you  care enough not to pill, rampage, or blurt

words can be a sanctuary to go to when no one seems to care
they can be a respite from that cruel world, your Lancelot dare
don't let the light of the stars cease to shine because of a flare
be slow to roll that pearly tongue, even slower to make it blare

not everyone thinks like you, wrong and right is only a concept
so don't bully your opinions on others and make them feel inept
please don't yank words out, it would be best if they overslept
good bedside  manners are essential, it cannot be windswept.  

July 10, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQ85UbZolA

As November arrives with her golden colors of russet and auburn,  
she tips her hat to the eagerness of December sighs ,
and fills our days with sunshine and beautiful breezy love.  
Let us walk down the path of deep serenity, and listen to  
the swaying trees,  telling us that all is well within  (breathe )  
There is a field full of golden light, and as the sunlight arrows
through the branches of a  barren tree, we get lost in the bonfire-reds
and sun flamed remnants of yesteryear, .  
The memories of days gone by become golden moments

and as the soul yearns , it reaches its invigorated space (breathe)
We watch as a deer caresses the waters by the river
as November invites us in, It says to us in whispers and sighs,    
"I am only making way for winter  dear soul, "
and as we huddle in our warm homes,  we begin to realize ,
that every season loves us as it should (breathe )
As November arrives with her golden colors of russet and auburn,
we know Christmas is arriving and soon, we can delight in a new
rebirth.      In Love and Light,    Your Mystic Rose

Quote: Put on the dauntless spirit of resolution.  
By William Shakespeare *
Dauntless
Fearless as the moon on a non lit night
this old warrior soul of mine keeps on
Settled within this omnipresent light
I feel safe here and I can do no harm
Undaunted in a sky filled with promise
a brave soldier both bold and valiant
is spirited through an Angel's dromos
by a catadromous hour, of fragment
Audacious as the stars that light the way
this former fighter willful as the rain
will search for his relief then seize the day
as even dregs of pain will soon refrain
This restlessness fighter soon will cease his roam,  
then he will finally know, he reached His Home

One day we'll all go to the other side of the world
where the moon is launched near the stars unfurled  
We will assemble in the hubble of the milky way
and find no trace of earthly bodies in this mainstay;
We will hover inside the palindrome of heaven's loft
restructure like dancing orbs of light, bouncing off
the walls of the sky, born to never be born or die;
One day we will escape this crusty earth of touch
and leave for a place where we don't need a thing
No surgical headlights to see the cavity of man
no scalpel to fix a little girl named, Marianne
We will find our loved ones smiling on the other side
they will be the hinges on the door that leads inside
Exhilarated and free we will shine softly in the night.
as if we were the only light aglow, far and out of site .

Our God is bountiful because he knows no measure to the love He has for us  
doting in the wings like a Father  regardless of our Faith in Him or not
He endeavors to protect us from above
as if we were the only stars in His galaxy;
There are days when we feel like we ate the paupers last meal
and there are times when we don't have the strength to rise above
Still, He is a God of continuance and doesn't ask much from us
pouring out every drop of compassion and mercy upon our souls  
he fills our empty cup and breaks bread, for  the sake of nurturance ;  
Regardless of our vision or lack of it, he sees us through
Our God is bountiful because,  
He created the earth and filled it with un-barren fruit  
so we could have life on earth  
and live in His abundance, until our sweet homecoming.  

November 14, 2020

After a long sojourn away I returned to God
attending mass every day and visiting the chapel
betwixt a quiet interlude, blessed silence;  
Sick and broken lost and afraid
I sat there in my pew and opened my heart
It wasn't long before my eyes found Him
and when they did, the tears flowed freely
I opened my green covered journal
with the embossed letterings  "Better days ahead "
and I began to write the words that Jesus spoke,
as He watched me sitting there, broken and alone.

Lose yourself in the ocean of my love
Come to the light and hold me as your
vessel of Sanctity...
I am your redeemer, your healer, your friend
Place your finger in the wound of my heart
and I will feed you the fire of my great sacrifice
Anoint your eyes with my presence
and know that I am who I say I am
Your only One, Son of God and Mary alike !

Let us stretch our stillness with a moment of meditation
reach our true potential, by calming the mind's  queries
Find a place where you belong and build your cradle
into the creases of time , rock forward into motion;
Send the noises over to the other side of the room
then invite silence in to soak your senses for a while
Place your instinct in the doorway of procreation
and leave your beliefs ajar, there is always a maybe?
When we think that life has closed its passage on us
we are mistaken, it is only gearing us to higher ground
to a better place where we can discover hidden strength  
Hear the song of the heart it is  yours all yours my dear
Stretch your stillness beyond your imagination and
find a concrete thought that will tell you the truth
you are not alone, you live in communion with others
here on earth, and in heaven, both contain,  YOU !

Streams I follow
            down memory lane
chasing my own tail
until I go
                           half insane
Trying to stitch a moment
             to my brain
like granny did while darning,  
                                 papa's socks !
Tales I once told
           lost in a slippery *****
having a hard time remembering,    
                               and I can't cope.

Please, pass me a rope.

I walked into a curiosity shop and found a packet of seeds
be careful how you plant them said the guy with an eye piece
The instructions were clear, plant to the light of the moon
When the wolves are a howling and the sun goes a hiding.
Wait until the rays of the crescent moon splays not a moment,
to soon.  So I did what it said and then readied for bed....
There came a knock at me window like a rap on my noggin.  
I awoke with a shatter, what do I see climbing up like huge matter,  
a pyramid of light full of arms and legs and a mouth made of gold.
Take a sample of me with your sippy tea, & you'll never grow old
so I scooped up the gold from the side of its cheek and drank up,
like a child who was dying to grow, but can never let go...
All my hair turned from silver to gold like the sun,  
and my skin was so smooth like a peach on the run;
but when I tried to make sense all I got was gabble and babble,
drivel and piddle, with no sense in the middle not even a riddle.
I went to the curiosity shop that day and found a packet of seeds.

( If you want to be in their heart tomorrow, be in their life today.)  

Touch the cornerstone of parenthood, love them with fervent  
Open hearted dedication.  As a mother or father, only you can give them the      
Upbringing they need, the understanding of themselves. Just love them and
Caress their souls with inspiration.  Help them to achieve their dreams ,
Holding nothing back.  Live for them and enjoy the contentment of parenthood;

And when they grow up and are ready to spread their wings and fly, don't
Negate their desires.  Love is all about letting go, share space, then
Do the right thing by them.  Do not raise them co-dependent but sane    

Guide them and teach them self assurance and self acceptance  
Only you can guide them lovingly, so bless them, everyday.

"Professor Scarpnell  you are wanted on the phone" says an automated voice coming out of the message system. He slips the disk into the back of his neck and listens carefully to the instructions he is about to input  
Twenty four hours later all over the world  there are  people diving into water  searching for something that will change the world for good.
In a circular library sits an old librarian who has never left the City since the day she was born. "Off to pack my little bag" she says as she re-aligns a bobby pin gone askew.  At home she eats her modest egg then goes to the bedroom to search for her overnight bag.  
In another corner of the world Jim a retired fireman is peeled to the television watching the news. It appears that the virus has mutated and spread across the land faster than  the speed  of light. For the umpteenth time he wishes the department hadn't served him his papers and retired him like an old dog. At the age of fifty he is still fit as a fiddle. The phone rings at cutting edge and a green horizontal line appears.  Jack hears 'four' imprinted words....
                                     " IT'S IN THE WATER " .
He packs his shrapnel bullets in the lined compartment of his bunker gear then offers up a diluted prayer to the Gods of Technology for their systematic and safe state of weaponry.
Its a cool evening in Venice and the October wind has twined itself around the gondolas like an old friend.  Autumn  is a time for customary dishes and as the staff works diligently  in the kitchen, Chef Marco Battalione  catches up on paper work.  He opens an email from an unknown source asking for a reservation for seven on October 18,  7pm . Included is an e-transfer of $5,000 euros.
"I will need a private room where we can talk in absolute privacy  without the threat of being overheard.  The menu I leave entirely to your discretion.  I will arrive shortly after diner to introduce myself to the guests at hand.   Please do not try to contact me at this email address.  It is now obsolete for  reasons of confidentiality and for the  safety of all persons involved. "
Marco is stumped by the audacity of this person. When he realizes that  because of the restrictions on restaurants caused by COVID, he has
lost most of his income. He knows that he can ill afford to refuse such a generous offer. Setting aside a stack  of  bills, he begins to plan a menu fit for a King and Queen. With a red felt pen he  circles the date on the calendar, then pours himself a drink.  He raises a glass to the neon lights echoing over labyrinth streets and canals, and says "Salute"  

to be continued...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIoleidZAiQ

Miles away from home where the sun is on fire with yesterdays dreams
an Indian sari gown of silk and bead arrives  bending the wind to its  will
warm rain and saffron tinted skies caress gold eyelids and irises of old
Miles away from home the strings of my guitar recall Indian streams
and warm walks on the beach. A faint song  clings to her ghostly figure
like a lyrical refrain, while a fading light begins to lose its shine ....
August smiles still simmer on my mind ,  I was a young man in love  
with a Princess who cradled my heart to the rocking motion of the moon;
She took me to Saffron Hill, then flowered me with poetry, oh what a thrill
to be so close to the sun and not to burn from the throws of her quill ...
Miles away from home I felt the power of her light and then she was gone,
like the monsoon rains of India, she disappeared in September leaving me
to strum my sitar in a Cincinnati bar, watching neon lights light up,  
I told it to old Fred , but he just smiled at me and handed me
a saving thread , "Son,  you'll always have your memories"      
and then, he handed me another Sangria, the color of her swiveling dress

August 3, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn-_xr3uCEQ

DRAW IN YOUR BREATH AND THEN INHALE THE ENERGY
OF OLD THAT ONCE BROUGHT YOU LIFE  AND AWAKENED PROMISE  OF VIGOROUS GOOD .
STAND AT THE EDGE OF THE SUN AND WARM YOUR SOUL WITH THE RAYS OF LIGHT THAT BRING YOU ONLY HEALTH AND PROSPERITY. SIT WITH THE MOON AND THE STARS AT NIGHT, ALLOW THEM to SOAK YOU WITH SYSTEMATIC  BEAMS OF BEAUTY AND GRACE
(breathe in and out slowly )
WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND THE AMPLE CLOUDS, AND FEEL THE COMFORT OF A DIVINE MAJESTIC PROVIDENTIAL ONE.  GLORIOUS AND FRUITFUL AS A FIG TREE IN FULL BLOOM, BENIGNLY CUT FROM THE CLOTH OF LOVE AND MERCY, EVERY FIG LEAF IS AS PERFECT AS YOU ARE DEAR ONE.
(breathe in and out slowly )
PLACE YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF UNITY AND LET YOUR HEART BE THE GENUINE PRAYER  FOR UNIVERSAL HEALING AND GOOD WILL TO ALL.
DRAW IN YOUR BREATH AND INHALE COMMUNITY SPIRIT,  KNOWING THAT TOGETHERNESS BRINGS POSITIVITY AND ETERNAL BLISS.  BE SOFT AS A KISS AND STURDY AS THE GENTLY WIND WHEN IT BRUSHES THROUGH THE PINES
ALLOW YOURSELF A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HEAR YOUR SOUL SPEAK.  FOR MEDITATION WAS THE LANGUAGE OF SAINTS , SINNERS AND MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS ALIKE. NO MATTER WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE, KNOW THAT YOU BELONG TO THIS HUMAN RACE. YOU ARE ONE OF MANY AND YOU ARE SPEICAL. REJOICE BELOVED ONE.
(breathe in and out slowly )

Whom of you have never felt the pinch and pain
when inebriated thoughts begin to fall like rain
whom of you have ever poured it down the drain
when a loved one says, " this is insane"

Whom of you have peeled the mask of hidden truth
pushed beyond the shove, and talked up your youth ?
Whom of you worn down by life has whipped the scourge  
sobered up and restrained the urge...

Whom of you at a ripe old age still cry for your mother
when times get tough, do you have a sister or a brother
Whom of you **** faced and ****** don't give a ****
when a child cries out like an angry ram

Whom of you have ever been perfect before you were broken
when the hourglass of time says you had enough here take a token
Whom of you grasped it with both shaking hands and said yes
I'm gonna rise up and be counted, for I have made such a mess.

Whom of you like me still cry for the love that refuses to die,  
when the stars of heaven split open their light, do you cry ?

Halloween is never an alien moment for those who love to trick or treat
a caricature face painted in caked blood and fangs is an aim to scare
Donning superman capes they go door to door with cautionary meet
masked like vampires, a closed mouthed muffle in gist says, we care

Trickery can be fatal done in mindless chatter and spittle of BOO  
we don't want to face abduction of childhood thrills, so better not ignore
Paralyzed by fear can be good or bad this is a circumstance of new Halloween it up partners in crime but keep a distance don't abhor

Feasting on candy day succeeding all good, but wear a mask for me      
diabolical ways are subtle a masked bandit is a welcome sight to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrgU23IkC9w

Tick tock the stop watch goes round without a sound
counting the minutes and seconds that surround us
We live our lives quietly turning hours into making
while our dreams  wait, whether realized or not they
stay within the realm of our life's lifetime, tick tock...
There are years of building up there are years of
paring down,.  There are years of joyful giving,
then there are years , we don't count as living.
Some of us hold on to the golden ring until the end
and some of us give up long before the diner bell
Some of us rehash the same old things and habits
some of us make changes that will last a lifetime
Tick tock, the stop watch has a mind of its own .
Sometimes we live as two, and other times alone,
We cannot measure the quality of a lifetime by
just one hour. It has to be measured in the end  
of ones lifetime. Either way it  will always arrive on
time, according to our internal clocks.  Tick tock...

He holds his own heart in his hands but doesn't feel it
the tin feels cold to the touch I think he was hurt too much
wearing a funnel over his head he smokes away his dreams
he wants to be loved but, you can't give what you don't get  
To anyone who feels unloved today the sun says, "I Love You "
as it lands on the vessel  but not the man whos lonesome and  gray
he tilts his shadow towards the big forest feeling all hollow inside
no he doesn't remember the last time he suddenly, cried...
Rain begins to drum against his breastplate armor he begins to rust
he hears a tiny whisper a seedling in the morning dawn, " heh you"
"me?" he says, as little fires start, in his impassive eyes of gold
"yes you" says the voice, you're more then just tin, I LOVE YOU!
he opens the little trap door and feels a gush of red, Achew !
For the first time in his life he feels the cold, the sun, the rain, its insane
he can walk without a creak, he's been oiled with love and he
feels right as rain.

Its the end of summer and the flowers are readying for fall
guess its just September's way of putting in her hooting call

London trees are sighing and the city folks are buying mohair
the sun is raying softer shades as we put away our lawn chairs

Writers tuck their hats and trade their benches for a cozy home
poetizing about Italian memories they pen about a trip to Rome

Here he comes Mr. Freezie by morning, Mrs. Warm by afternoon
I really did enjoy this happy summer but I think it left too soon  

its the end of summer and the flowers are finally waving goodbye,
funny how people cling more to life, when their making ready to die.

A silver moon arrives to bathe me with her moonlight
sending me into a dream state of beauty and respire
With feet of  feather weight I never touch the ground
as I gaze at the beauty  that surrounds this  gauzy lake
Accustomed to the shadows of the night I gather long
around the hem of stars that shine down on my estate
I watch the flowers in my garden lay withered at me feet
while I trundle by the angels, one thousand more to keep
Some earthlings like to babble in their little cafes at night
but its all Greek to me for I rather lay between two clouds
swinging from a hammock, woolgathering, until dawn .

Wrapping him in  a blue blanket he hands him over to me
outside the snow is falling, as I gaze at him my hearts about to burst
all the pushing is over, now its time to receive his glee
bluest eyes I'd ever seen suckling at my breast with a quenching thirst  

Yesterday was Debussy and Bach
lullabies of sweet by a morning dawn
Today  a baby cradle and a gentle rock    
"Oh my God, did you see that Ron !"

We named him Joseph, after his grandfather who was a great artist
homilies of love spoken truthfully,  I cannot contain the joy
just given birth to a special boy and it feels like I've been kissed  
my love leans in and whispers " we'll give him every toy!"

With a sacral dimple you can't miss  
he looks like an Angel  
so I draw him close and feather him a kiss    
he gurgles as if to say, "I'm your Angel"    

October 8, 2020

My heart is made of lace held fast by Holy fabric strings  
its red like a  pomegranate warm like my Father's love
my heart is open like a rose in summer when it sings  
and when I meet a stranger,... it chances it thereof

My heart is volatile like a bird  through an open door
it beats to pulsed emotions living deep inside my chest  
finding favor with my soul loving me with sweet adore,  
it pumps blood inside my chambers, never taking rest  

This heart of mine is made of love and Holiest of things
I spend my time giving true support to those in need
if I were Angel my heart would own two feathered wing
but Angel I am not, though I love to plant the seed,

Its only God that can turn a heart into Holy fabric strings
Its only God that can turn a heart into a heart that sings.

We have come to meet again after all these years
and in your eyes I see the young girl I once knew
no words are needed when two hearts are glued
to the worth of our last words
to the life that we once knew
Yes after all these years you have finally returned
to that special place where we first began, as two.

There are days when all you need
is a good ending to a story
a strong cup of tea or
the right pair of arms to hold you
There are days when you wish
for less small talk phrases
and more  precious words
There are days when you want
nothing more then to stay up
and count the stars of night  
even if it means sleeping in  
There                 are              days.

As I quiet my mind
and press my ear softly to your pillow
my heart recalls
the lovely tune you once made up for me;
While the crickets
trill against my window
I recall ,  
The sonant sound of your voice
and those sweet kisses,
beneath the willow tree  .

Faith is like wifi invisible to the eye but connects you to what you need.

Faith is the cornerstone of wholesome living
it brings you to a fearless place of love
Faith is a friend you will never lose
as long as you speak to it often

Faith is a pair of wings in full flight
or a light at the end of the tunnel
Faith is a gift given at birth
it takes us there, time and time again

Faith is a delicate egg ready to hatch
a seedling in the ground needing water
Faith is a rose in full bloom
a giant in an amphitheater room

F   A    I   T   H

Adoring eyes in the morning breeze
the water hypnotizes and the trees hold out their arms
sunshine rays of beauty fall like a water cascade
in the morning dawn
A fawn arrives breaking the spell of day
with her spotted body lean, alert and spry
by the edge of the lake its not time to die  
over by the shore...
Air is music it fills my lungs, wind picks up
playing an old melody that reminds me of,  
Adoring eyes in the morning breeze
The water hypnotizes and brings me to my knees,
one more time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DitEAtjrWg

WE ARE GOING ON A JOURNEY FOR TWO
FAR AWAY FROM THE LAND
FLYING TO THE STARS WHERE THE MOON
RESIDES
WE ARE GOING TO HEAR VIOLINS PLAYING
IN THE CAVES OF ALBERNON
SOAR WITH THE EAGLES IN THE SKY
AND FLY WITH BUTTERFLIES

WE ARE GOING TO LIVE FREELY AS TWO
LIKE TWO TURTLE DOVES IN THE HEAVENS
UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF JUST ONE GOD...