Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

Part 1 - Inside: This Morning's Alluring Proposition

"Welcome, everyone!
Sit back and relax.
Try our new, homespun

Paraphrased extracts!

Loosen up, let go!

We've got a great show!

Back pew or ringside,

It's worth every dime!

Truth demystified!

Entertainment time!

At home? Great! Feet up!

Or...mask and meetup.

Instructions on-screen!

No eye-straining page--

That's too Byzantine!

Check out our big stage!

We sing all the hits

In tight l'il outfits!

You're done! Now return

To the daily grind.

What's that word? "Discern"?

Ignore it; unwind.

You've done your duty;

Let's not get snooty.

You're overthinking

This faith thing--hang ten!

Why are you linking

Faith and works again?

You're called to be what?

Salt? You're in a rut!"

Part 2 - Outside: This Evening's Enterprising Decision

"Road to Emmaus?

Travel back? Explore?

Think like Zacchaeus?

Find a sycamore?

If I could I'd climb.

Read on: I've got time.

His love is no myth!

Find Galilee's shores.

See him hanging with

Publicans and whores.

He blesses the cursed!

The last shall be first!

Buildings? Meetings? Yes,

But there's so much more!

If we're blessed, let's bless;

What's the calling for?

Seek the dying ones!

New daughters and sons!

Do they not matter?

How can we not care?

Love's a harsh clatter,

A Pharisee's prayer,

Till we say, 'Alright,

Let's be salt and light.'

I too am to blame;

Why should I grandstand?

I've hidden the flame;

My salt has been bland.

Lord, let my light shine!

My flavor refine!"

© 2021 David Acosta

"You are the salt of the earth,

but if the salt has lost its taste,

how shall its saltiness be restored?

It is no longer good for anything

except to be thrown out

and trampled under people's feet.

You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do people light a lamp

and put it under a basket,

but on a stand, and it gives light

to all in the house. In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works

and give glory to your Father

who is in heaven." —— Jesus †

The Static Dance

Sometimes...leaving is the only reasonable option. . .

No wild dance moves; they like it nice and neat.
Just do-si-do, sit down, repeat, repeat.

This dance floor was designed for cautious feet.

You might as well forget it; have a seat.

Your Nureyev ideas they'll rebuff;

Your choreography's not needed here.

They're just not into that outlandish stuff.

Relax; sit down; don't try to interfere. 

Yeah, it's the latest version of the same old song,

The trite tradition and the trippy trance.

Forget originality and you'll belong.

Easy does it now--do the static dance!

Have all your efforts really been in vain?

Do you think you've overstayed your welcome?

What's the point? No one bothers to explain.

You could stay, but it won't change the outcome.

Stick around if you're not tired of the same old song,

The trite tradition and the trippy trance.

Forget originality and you'll belong.

Easy does it now--do the static dance!

To everything there is a season and a time:

A time to dance, a time to say "no more."

So if the dance floor feels like an uphill climb,

Just Fred-Astaire your way to the exit door!

Yeah, it's the latest version of the same old song,

The trite tradition and the trippy trance.

Forget originality and you'll belong.

Easy does it now--do the static dance!

Drink the mediocri-tea and you'll belong.

Or finally say goodbye to the static dance!

Static...
Static...
Static...dance...

Static...

Static...

Static...dance...

© 2021 David Acosta

Yours Everlastingly

Let me convey it;
Let me explain it to you.

No need to worry because

It's something you can't undo.

It's a love like no other, believe it.

It's all yours, you know, if you'll receive it.

Has anyone ever promised to die for you,

Then come back to life for you,

Fly beyond the sky for you,

And yet never leave you?

I have; it's true:

I love you.

Yes, you!

This love is timeless

It's ancient; it's brand new.

No need to doubt it because

My words are faithful and true.

Take it with you wherever you're going;

It exceeds feeling, wond'ring and knowing.

Has anyone ever promised to die for you,

Then come back to life for you,

Fly beyond the sky for you,

And yet never leave you?

I have; it's true:

I love you.

Yes, you!

Why are you hiding?

Why are you running?

When will you trust me?

What will it take for you to see?

This love is not like any other, you'll see.

Say you'll be mine; I'll be yours everlastingly.

Has anyone ever promised to die for you,

Then come back to life for you,

Fly beyond the sky for you,

And yet never leave you?

I have; it's true:

I love you.

Yes, you!

This love is not like any other, you'll see.

Say you'll be mine; I'll be yours everlastingly.

 © 2021 David Acosta