Ode To Facebook

I didn't go to sleep at all last night, 

That's why today I have bags under my eyes,

But you know it's all right, it's all right. 

Because I 

Was discovering myself by the light

Of the computer screen that shone so bright,

I was taking that quiz

"Which Beatles Song Describes Your Life?"

It's on Facebook 

With all of my twenty million friends

Your daily connections never have to end

Even though you don't know half of them

And wouldn't care if you never saw them again,

Hey hey, let's be Facebook friends. 

We all know getting together is so last year,

If you see my face you might see my fear

But you know it's all right, it's all right. 

So you 

Check your inbox for the fortieth time

When it's empty (again!) you sigh

You update your status

To some mysterious quip or music line. 

We're on Facebook

With all of my fifty zillion friends

You're daily connections never have to end

Even though you don't know three-fourths of them

And don't care if you never saw them again

Hey hey, let's be Facebook friends. 

Oh,

I think I'll check out everyone's photos,

Where does the time go?

I can't believe I've been on here for

Three hours straight, it's getting so late. 

Oh,

I barely know who you are,

I've seen your profile eight times so far

Your "About Me" sections says

That your seventeen, 

Prom queen,

And I shouldn't assume by your car

That you are a snob. 

So get on Facebook!

With all your hundred trillion friends,

Search for the perfect bumper sticker

Man, the fun never ends!

It doesn't matter that your Friend Wheel 

Can't display everyone, 

Or that your Super Wall is covered with

All sorts of forward junk,

And even though you don't remember

Who you've accepted or denied,

Or just don't care about them 'cause

You couldn't remember if you tried,

HEY HEY, let's be Facebook friends. 

Vine (Grape, Tomato, and Relationship)

Tonight convinced me. 

Most of you know by now that when I observe my relationships with people I see a vine connecting us. The thicker and shorter the vine, the closer I am to you; likewise, visa versa. And it has occurred to me that, after numerous observations, shortcomings, and experiences, this is the root of almost any and every given heart disease. 

Let's go back to the beginning; that is, the very beginning. All the way back to Eve. When she, and in turn Adam, ate the apple (or pomegranate, whatever), God separated them from Himself. It was the ultimate severance of the first and strongest vine in history. The result was heartbreaking, and Adam and Eve found themselves with a limp, gnarled knot of what used to be a fruitful, life-giving thread between them and the Creator. And I believe that as a result of this, because God and the first humans He lovingly made suffered this first tragedy before any other suffering, it is the seat of all present discomfort and anguish. Our relationships are the things that will affect us most in life, and those is discord will cause the greatest pain (and I use that term flexibly). 

Did God not feel such pain because He loved Adam, because He loved Eve? Did Jesus not submit to crucifixion because of the relationship He desired with us, because He loved us? And we in turn have the same burden and desire. The same flame resides in us, longing to have deep and intimate bonds with those surrounding us. Is it not the truth, then, to say that the hardest thing to do is put out a fire, and try to rekindle the saturated wood? 

On the other hand, why do we allow ourselves to go through such anguish at our own expense for the sake of another? Why is it that we continue to stumble, reaching out helplessly to clasp one another's hands, striving for understanding and compassion when we know we will be let down repeatedly? Why do we put ourselves through it? God, you made us creatures of love. There must be nothing else like it, judging by what we subject ourselves to. 

If there was ever anything I could ask for, give me understanding. Let this love you have created throttle through my veins like liquid fire, illuminating the dark in me, emanating out into the lives of others even if it returns to be no more than a spark and I am left gasping for oxygen. Water these vines of mine and multiply them; nourish them so that they may become like tree trunks; let them bear the fruits of the Spirit. 

What does our vine look like? Tell me. What can I do to nurture it? 

d3L3r!uM

You were kept close to my chest. 

I thought it was best to finally free this unrest

That I didn't even realize was

Keeping me so depressed, the situation

This relation

Made me doubt, my every hesitation

Swelled upon me like the ocean

Creating unbearable commotion

I couldn't see

But couldn't leave,

I had made you a part of me

Until you unwittingly chained me

And caused all of this debris. 

Oh! But it's so hard to say farewell,

And tell this boat to set sail

Into the rising of the waves, oncoming gales 

I watch you shrinking on the shore

Your face a blur and nothing more

But I think, could have sworn

That your body line was ridged

Your demeanor so frigid

And I long to run back to you

But you've already diminished. 

Now the silence falls like fine, thin dust

I'm so afraid that the past will start to rust

And my bubbled future will bust

But I must

Keep my head above the water

Though temptation's getting strong

To turn, to turn

But I spurn, this desire

You have to lead me through this fire

Though I'm toeing the wire, 

You've got my soul lifting higher.

Outfit me for this struggle

So I may no longer stumble

I can hear the thunder rumble

And I'm nervous, start to fumble

I'll never be comfortable, no,

Not until this worlds final show

When the stage is set

I've got my bet

On who gets the fatal blow,

You got my faith, 

As far as that goes. 

Now, we shall begin.