Just some thoughts. Stored here for eternity.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Book Review: The Good Man Jesus And The Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman

9:16 PM Posted by Fonzie No comments



Pullman presents a retelling of the central narrative of the bible that questions the foundations of the beliefs of all the devout Christians. So if you're a devout believer and easily offended, you might want to steer clear of this. If you do have an open mind and a capacity to entertain alternate thoughts, you might like this.

Pullman uses the simple device of there being twins born that night in Bethlehem. One called Jesus. And one called Christ. He proceeds to tell the events leading up to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.

Pullman's Jesus is a passionate man who does good and preaches kindness and believes in basic humanity. He firmly believes that the Kingdom of God will soon be on earth. He's more like the version presented in the gospels.

Pullman's Christ on the other hand is the one who follows Jesus around and records (and embellishes) all that Jesus does, his words, teachings and his supposed miracles.

The conflict between the two is about the idea of an organization here on earth that would do God's work till the Kingdom comes. As a guide. As a spiritual advisor to the masses.

The writing is brilliant as expected from Pullman. He does a great job of presenting this version. Pullman is not questioning faith but his target is organized religion that acts as the purveyor or spirituality and morality.

Rating: 4/5
3.5/5 for the overall book. Another half star for THAT Jesus soliloquy in the garden.
(less)

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Hope Kills

11:22 PM Posted by Fonzie No comments
It's the hope that kills.

Hope, that in the morning
As you wake up all dreamy
A ray of sunlight will glint
in your eyes and it will click.
Like Magic.

Sunshine will travel through
your thoughts like a tide
and touch that dark room
in which I reside.
All ball and chains.

The warmth will melt all
my chains and set me free.
I will rise and course through
your veins, you'll see.
A new me.

Alas, I know it's just a dream.
For that room doesn't exist.
The dream is mine, not yours
The ball and chains are mine,
not yours.

But, it's the hope that kills.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

The Fall

10:05 PM Posted by Fonzie No comments
The problem with the fall?
It ends. Splat!
Broken. Pieces everywhere.
Down! Squat!
Pick them all.
One by one.

They're all in my hand.
Together! Again!
Do you have a band?
I need to splice these
Pieces of my heart
One by one.

Everybody is looking.
Hide! Smile!
Gonna be okay in a while.
She won't notice
Years will go by
One by one.

What kind of love is this?
Unspoken! Unrequited!
Smells of rotten flesh.
The wounds fester.
The pieces fall.
One by one.

Monday, May 2, 2016

In Trouble

9:05 PM Posted by Fonzie 1 comment
Here in Dublin with all its sights to see
The streets, the bars, the music
And all I wanted was to be with you
I knew I was in trouble

When the cold wind made you shudder
And all I wanted to hold you close to me
To give you all my warmth
I knew I was in trouble

When the girls of Dublin passed us by
And I couldn't help but think that the
Most beautiful one is right by my side
I knew I was in trouble

When you left for the airport that day
I wanted to tell you how I feel
Instead, here I am, alone in my room
And I know, I am in trouble

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Smitten

11:28 PM Posted by Fonzie No comments
When I close my eyes and try to think
Dublin passes me by in a blink

But these few things I'll never forget
Memories etched in my mind's net

How your face lit up
when you heard the bagpipes.

How your eyes tried to take in
the bright Galway sky.

How your body moved and swayed,
to the sweet notes of the guitar,
that the buskers played.

How you hummed with laughter,
at the smallest of things,
so effortlessly.

How the wind made your hair fly,
You didn't need to straighten them up
You looked beautiful that way.

How you walked without a care,
as if the world had a beautiful score,
that only you could hear.

These are the things I'll remember
even if everything else fades away.

And another thing, before I forget,
I think I am smitten with you,
if that wasn't clear enough yet.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Happy Birthday - Memories

11:42 AM Posted by Fonzie No comments
Oh the memories attached to this day
Do you remember them all?
Or have new ones replaced them
And has time taken its toll?

Don't let them fade away
Try to remember once in a while
Have a Happy Birthday year after year
Remember us, our time, with a smile.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Book Review: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

3:21 AM Posted by Fonzie No comments
The Old Man and the SeaThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed 
but not defeated.

This quote sums up the book perfectly.

For a few hours, I was there on the skiff sitting right beside the old man, egging him on as the great fish kept moving.



I was sad but at the same time I couldn't help but admire the old man for the perseverance, the skill and the courage he showed. He refused to be defeated. But...

And what beat you, he thought. 'Nothing,' he said aloud. 
'I went out too far.'

This truly is one of the simplest and the deepest books ever written.



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