in payment for the torment

by vincent van gogh 
I'm not sure what he called this painting
but I call it 'manky old boots'

heaven wears the face of a pig 

            and the hat of a sailor 

jesus has a kissing booth 

            just outside of the entrance to hell 

for an american dollar you can be kissed by jesus 

            before you burn 

a man on a downtown streetcorner has been whispering to 

            people passing by that to be a good christian 

            you need a good credit rating

a blue sun rose this morning but it's ok

            because the air force shot it down 

and tomorrow 

            what then 

-----

the child is chained to a wall in the basement 

and has been down there so long 

            that the tears no longer come 

so it is that the eyes of this child 

            are the most beautiful on earth 

as if in payment for the torment and suffering 

of course you and I know 

            that there is no way repay a person 

            for such an evil as this 

not even justice is enough 

------

I know that there is no heaven 

            no life after this one 

so I go on just for the sake of living 

            and that's enough

-----

For all the things I seek through prayer, may I remember to be thankful for all that is already here, around me, with me; the beauty of existence.

james lee jobe 

Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom.

Henepola Gunaratana

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Thanks, jlj