Chalkboard

Posted by Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017

Posted in: Free Form, Free Verse, POETRY. Tagged: Reflection, Self-Reflection, Soul, Worth. 25 Comments

$math-formula-vectors$

Image from pinterest.com

chalk the slate

angry strokes

brutal honesty

marking out

actual moments

real pieces of days

this last ledger

a reckoning done

by the numbers

inscribed upon

hard matte black

skin of forever

with dusty white

graceless graffiti

the sums of a

traceable life

starkly rendered

unvarnished by

memory’s lies

and mistakes

all those choices

those exercised

free will events

now come to their

sharp tabulation

a final appraisal

establishing

worth of a soul

25 comments on “Chalkboard”

chris jensen on April 12, 2017 at 11:58 am said:

Reblogged this on crjen1958.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017 at 10:30 pm said:
  
  thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
  
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  - chris jensen on April 13, 2017 at 9:24 am said:
    
    Yeah….
    
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grumpygorman on April 12, 2017 at 12:02 pm said:

excellent poem Paul, your poetry acts as inspiration and kicking reminder of how far I have to go as a writer 😉

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017 at 10:34 pm said:
  
  we writers are all on that same journey, anthony – not toward becoming like anyone else, but becoming our more fully developed selves
  
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  - grumpygorman on April 12, 2017 at 11:04 pm said:
    
    It’s not so much aspiring to “be” someone else. It’s more about aspiring to have as strong a command of language, style and nuance, as other writers… but in my own voice. 🙂
    
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Peter Notehelfer on April 12, 2017 at 4:55 pm said:

If the final calculation of our worth rests on an algorithm I’m afraid we’re both in big trouble . . . Life begins with grace, runs on grace, and ends with grace; or not . . .

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017 at 10:40 pm said:
  
  I think I’ve been in trouble for a long time
  
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R L Cadillac on April 12, 2017 at 8:42 pm said:

Wow, this has a harsh feel to it–as Peter has already noted, God’s grace is the only way any of us comes up with a good score at the end of the day, or life. May He cover you with His blessings.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:
  
  thank you, dear friend – I meant it to be harsh, as in the truth can be harsh – I believe God chooses to grant or withhold grace based on his judgment of a souls merit – I often feel that I fall short
  
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  - R L Cadillac on April 12, 2017 at 11:13 pm said:
    
    Yes, the truth can be very harsh… I agree that God’s grace is conditional–in that it is reserved for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, accept by faith His provision for our salvation. If we’re in that camp, we’re secure–regardless that many days we’d not make it on “merit”. Pretty much daily I fall short of what I desire to be, as a reflection of Him–but I’m persuaded that God looks at me through the blood of Christ shed for me, which covers me 24/7. That is the confidence of my faith which I cling to–on days when I mess up terribly, disappointing myself and others, if not Him.
    
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    - Paul F. Lenzi on April 13, 2017 at 9:34 am said:
      
      thanks for the heartening words
      
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      - R L Cadillac on April 13, 2017 at 7:47 pm said:
        
        Oh good, I’m glad I can be heartening some days 🙂
        
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R L Cadillac on April 12, 2017 at 8:43 pm said:

My comment is not meant to diminish the quality of the poem–Brilliant, Exceptional writing as always 🙂

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 12, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:
  
  oh dear – no need to explain – but thank you, thank you, thank you
  
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  - R L Cadillac on April 12, 2017 at 11:04 pm said:
    
    And you’re most welcome x 3! 🙂
    
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saynotoclowns on April 13, 2017 at 6:56 am said:

Oh Paul, I believe you are being hard on yourself too! I second and third the sentiments about God’s grace. At the end of the day, it is the only reliable thing. I hope you will have peace of mind. And I agree, another amazing piece.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 13, 2017 at 9:33 am said:
  
  you are very kind to say so – thank you, vanessa
  
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scottishmomus on April 13, 2017 at 8:28 am said:

Mercy. I depend on it as the prodigal. ‘Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and my soul shall be yours.’

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 13, 2017 at 9:30 am said:
  
  in response to this plea, there are those who receive only silence
  
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  - scottishmomus on April 13, 2017 at 10:04 am said:
    
    I take silence as an affirmative sometimes.
    
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vivachange77 on April 13, 2017 at 3:37 pm said:

Amazing images in black and white on the chalkboard and in your poem. Striking message.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 13, 2017 at 10:41 pm said:
  
  my slate seems about full
  
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mikesteeden on April 17, 2017 at 10:34 am said:

I suspect few possess the desire and/or honesty to dare reflect as you do here. Supreme stuff, Paul

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- Paul F. Lenzi on April 17, 2017 at 11:05 pm said:
  
  it’s too much work to be dishonest
  
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