Aphorism 1. We can know a man's idolatry through the sins he imparts on Jesus. Aphorism 2. If your image of Christ isn't wholly unblemished, than neither can you be. Aphorism 3. I once saw a fool boast, "Jesus loves me". Their sin caused a great fall, but then they continued to say, "Jesus would never cause me to fall." Aphorism 4. I saw a shrine to a wicked man destroyed by a thunder bolt. Aphorism 5. If one understood Einstein, it wouldn't be impressive that light is both a wave and particle---measured, it will be a particle, yet moves at the fastest speed allowable; therefore, those particles will be waves when not slowed down in a lab. Aphorism 6. I'm skeptical that merely observing something changes its quantum reaction---I think like light, it makes more sense that it will just behave different when isolated. I'm skeptical of New Age mysticism because I do, Mr. Dawkins, understand science. Aphorism 7. Choosing a mate ought to be as comfortable a decision as settling into a drawn bath. If love doesn't come that easy, then don't make the mistake of sleeping with them. Aphorism 8. If love comes naturally, make the mistake of marrying before making the mistake of getting into bed. Aphorism 9. I've seen so many with good intentions fail to do good. That is why faith is a prerequisite for good works. Aphorism 10. The planets, sun, moon and stars move exactly how they will. It can be calculated out to infinity. Every body in the universe interacts with time according to its own gravity. Yet, from wherever you stand, all other bodies move relative to your world, keeping all within the same breadth. Aphorism 11. The sin we are most outraged about in others, is a sin we ourselves have tasted and feared. Aphorism 12. Prison is the most unforgiving environment. That's how I know guilt is the root cause of all moral outrage. Aphorism 13. A fool once said, "If you don't sin, Jesus died for nothing." I know she has sin. It's just society is more forgiving toward hers. Aphorism 14. If a society accepted rape, no one would be ashamed of it. I'm glad I live in a society that understands its gravity. However, all other sins of a carnal nature are just as serious. Aphorism 15. Adultery, Divorce, Sodomy, Transsexuality, Premarital Sex, Polyamory, Serial Monogamy, Bitterness, Judgment, Hatred, Self-Conceit, Self-Righteousness, Self Centeredness, Ingratitude, and Dishonoring the Sabbath are all carnal sins which our culture deems are noble. Aphorism 16. To know why our culture is so unhappy, just look at all the sin it calls good. Aphorism 17. Not all modern inventions are bad. Just like not all old customs are good. Aphorism 18. Some people desire there to be no meaning. Aphorism 19. Life is a struggle between Meaning and Nonentity; Good and Evil; Right and Wrong; Kindness and Cruelty; Love and Self-Love... Truth and Aught. Aphorism 20. The biggest decision in life, is to believe in something or nothing at all. Aphorism 21. A Rational Moralist has more in common with me than a Christian Fundamentalist. Aphorism 22. Do not mistake my skepticism. I am fully convinced of the Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Aphorism 23. The Bible is true, but not literally. Aphorism 24. I'm 100% certain God exists, and He is the God of the Bible; but, I have a different way of understanding Him than most people. Aphorism 25. Saul died in two different ways. Yet, I'm more skeptical of the Bible's skeptics, than I am of Childlike faith. Aphorism 26. Jesus, bear our contagion. Aphorism 27. It is because I sinned---and know you have too---that I believe in the redemptive grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Aphorism 28. I believe all of Genesis literally happened, just not in the literal sense Creationists do. Aphorism 29. In my mind, prophecy refers to Catholics as Judah, Protestants as Israel, and Orthodox as Ephraim. That is how I understand it, and I've made many true predictions that way. Aphorism 30. Prophecy is the best medicine. It is continually applicable, based on our actions, thoughts and deeds. Aphorism 31. Every story in the Bible is true. Very miniscule errors appear to remind us not to worship it, over what we already knew was right. Aphorism 32. It's not true that history disproves the Bible. Rather, some very curious details corroborate scripture, rather than obscure it. Aphorism 33. Materialism is its own proof of why belief is valid. In all its wisdom, its greatest attribution to moral philosophy is a work called the "Selfish Gene." 1. Muse; A True Tanka A muse---for those who Chase the Beautiful Naiads--- Is a thought from Christ; Or, it is a thought from hell, Whichever the poet serves. 2. The Conqueror The two greatest men in history died at thirty-three. One, like Satan himself, conquered the unconquerable. He laid the stones of Tyre into causeways, and his armies Passed upon them into the isle,---it fulfilled prophecy As a wise, good hearted preacher once said. Years before, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to it by the Trojan Horse. Yet this, this conqueror scraped the town to the foundations And built causeways out to the inner island. It's been said before. The other, Christ, none truly believe will bear a sword. They say of Him, "He is gentle, soft, like a blanket "Which a toddler carries upon his arm, and suckles his fingers "And cries to." I say, yes, a toddler does this, yet a mature Christian ought to feed upon more than milk and honey. The mature Christian ought to look upon the nations And see war, that this is what Christ will bring at the end. A sword, which many tens of thousands, a greater Army than Alexander's, shall purge the seas And lay the valleys with blood to the coasts. He will, in one day, accomplish justice, while the saints Are huddled like Noah in their mystical arks--- They shall never see it, nor taste of it. They shall huddle together with love When Daniel's vision shall be accomplished. We shall look up, and see our bless'ed conqueror--- And we shalt then be carried up, before The great and mighty battle; where those rotting corpses Shall remain in the marshes of hell for eternity. Those who remain, The small remnant we are, shall inherit the Earth, Never having tasted wrath; but like Jeremiah, Shall bear our burdens, when we warn Men not to ask, "What is the Burden of the LORD?" We will say to you, "It is thou, o foolish man!" 3. Elvis Sings to Me Elvis sings a song I wrote... Yet he sings the words Better than my words. It is like angels singing. I published in a journal--- The journal was called Something, but on the barcode The name was misspelled. A dubious journal that I had to pay to publish. The Elvis song was Like my Hail Britannica Recording. Some words Were sung for their lyrical Flow, differently than the page. It left some questions In my mind, whether my work's Quality were true. Yet, dreams of music mean I Feel peace and accomplishment. It seems Elvis' Song,---the true meaning had come,--- Is God's word. And my Paltry poetry is a Close likeness, but not scripture. 4. Self Reflection I sit. I think about Micah 7. But, I cannot sit for long. In the Black Screen of the TV, turned off, I see my reflection. I get nervous--- Anxious--- I even hate it. I see an arrogance. I understand what my family is seeing in me. Inwardly, I feel peace. Like I'm accomplishing my goals, little by little. That I'm winning my battles. That my silence, my inaction, is not contrary to what I'm supposed to be doing right now. Like Micah 7. I sit in darkness. I do not know what else I can do. I say to myself, "I have sinned." Seeing myself from the outside, I can see how it drives my family crazy. To see the me perceived by others, it is hateful, arrogant, slovenly, lazy, prideful... That is how I appear when reflected in the TV. I see myself like I am seen by others. Inwardly, I am not a ravenous wolf. Inwardly, I am calm, reticent, without fear, forming more understanding on the nature of being kindhearted, forgiving and able to trust. I see in my reflection someone else. Like I saw in my mother a sort of nonchalance reflected which wasn't her true feelings. Appearances can be deceiving. It seems like I am not at rest. It seems like I am unwise, lazy, prideful, vain, arrogant... inwardly, I know all of that is the opposite. I am trying my best to see the world through other's eyes, to draw from wisdom a cup of salvation. To understand. I see what I look like to the outside world. I even am close to hating myself. But, that is not me. Like my mother's mien, I misread it for nonchalance when it was simply her playfulness. We put on an outward display which is not reflecting what is inward. I see myself from the perspective of others. It looks vain... Inwardly, I am contemplating the truths which are foundational to the world. I can see why people hate me. But, I can tell you, what you see in appearance is not who I am underneath. Outwardly, I am a ravenous wolf, but inwardly I am a lamb with a lion's courage and a serpent's wisdom. I look vain, stupid, insecure, lazy, prideful, arrogant,---like I am continually not at ease. But, I know from my reflection that what I seem is not what I am. Inwardly, I am at peace, readying myself to flee and lay aside this world's cares. 5. Writer not a Gamer You were always better than me at games. I'd fight my way to Great Tiger And you'd fight your arch nemesis Mr. Sandman. I remember at Stratego, you placed Your troops in illogical order. No bombs surrounded your flag. I'd send my rows in columns, My massive armies, And you'd take one little guy And decimate an entire force. Haphazardly, the guy would walk An eight getting blown up with a bomb. My generals would defend, but the damage was already done. Star Wars, Donkey Kong, and Punch Out Mario, That game we borrowed from Meredith, You were always better than me. I play my cards... but lose. I can see the strategy to win the game at Risk, But I refuse to conquer the world. You were a hero to me, Able to get to Mr. Sand Man And beat Soda Popinski. Your epic foe, Mr. Sandman. Once, I think I saw you get to the guy Right before Mike Tyson. We were never a gaming family... My scrabble skills are par excellence. I am able to score above three hundred and seventy In a two player match regularly. But, that just gets to my real talent. Words---I love them. Meaning. My childhood obsessions With gemstones, coins, rocks, plants, birds, Animals, Alcohols---I wanted to know every kind. I wanted to know all the different things. I was very curious... always compiling facts Data, in encyclopedic form. Stories I loved, art... I still gorge myself on art. The more fantastic, the more I loved it. A part of me would like to be good at games. But, I am not good at them. I never was. I'd get to Great Tiger At about the age of seven. I showed no prodigiousness at games. I can understand the rules... I'm good at memorizing specific details And remembering after a long time how games ought to be played. But, even chess, I didn't know about En Passant Until I was about twenty-four. When John played a trick on me, and I thought he lost his mind. I thought I could get one past him By jumping my pawn past his. And that's when I learned it. Our family, loving games, were not top quality gamers. You could just barely beat Soda Popinksi. He was a rival of ours And I'd watch you, with starry eyes, Sometimes get to the Sandman... And he, he was our arch nemesis. And once you beat him. Only once. And you got knocked out in one punch By Macho Man. I guess I'm saying I ought to be a writer. As, the only other thing I could be is a gamer. And I'm not very good at games. Love you, Mom. 6. Uncle Don A cherry Chevy in the Apartment's garage Sits with a lock and a yellow sign with a handgun on it, Warning not to enter. A laborer of Caterpillar A father to two, a good husband... His PA Dutch accent was thick. He was simply spoken, a hard worker Wore suspenders... He was Blue Collar Pennsylvania. I already miss him. He dated a black woman. This came as a surprise to us. He was soft spoken, and once told me That on an occasion where corporal punishment Was being used, he took the belt from Pap-pap And told him, "That's enough of that." He owned my Great Grandmother's apartment Which housed her nicely through her life--- That apartment was in our family for generations. Later he would rent it out and tell us about the tenants. Some were good, some were bad. He was salt of the Earth. There was a twinkle in his eye When I would tell him about my jobs as a Tree Trimmer. I never made it at that job,--- A friend always "accidentally" sabotaged my work; But, I don't remember Don making me feel inadequate. Rather, I think he was just proud that I put in a day's real work. He'd always tell me, "You staying out of trouble?" I'd say, "Always." We'd talk, while he would smoke his cigarette. Cigarettes into his seventies--- He and his son would talk mechanic talk Smoke cigarettes, And I felt welcomed into the conversation. He never judged me. Probably because he and I thought a lot alike. Mostly alike. That generation I have a lot more in common with Than my own. My Big Black Lab was---for a time--- Not a nice dog. Uncle Don walked through our front door And kneed him in the chest and literally scarred the shit out of him. He was not a guy you wanted to be on the bad side of. He was strong, muscular even into his old age. My Mom said of an old picture of him, that he was a "Hottie". He was strong, forgiving, righteous, And I remember him driving me home from my Aunt's We had a long talk. We both agreed that our cousins From out of town were... well... a little bit too liberal. I don't know if I talked about Jesus with him in that car ride, But I lived and talked about Jesus a lot. I only hope somewhere, through osmosis, He gained a confession. Yesterday, there was a light in the sky. My dad and I thought it was a planet. I went in, and brought out my farmer's Almanac Which I had just bought, seeing if it were Venus. It wasn't. Rather, it was a light in the sky, And I'd like to think that it was his soul passing onto heaven Checking up on us one last time. I know he found Jesus. 7. The Robins in February Two robins fly on a branch in February... The naturalists lie through their ignorance. "It's not uncommon to see the bird "In winter time." Yet, I never have until today. Never once, in thirty-two years Have I seen a robin in February. The Blackbirds had I seen, And in one week, the Robin? A sure sign of spring, Should the Robin tarry in winter It means eternal spring. It means, unfortunately, the climate Is changing. There is no way A half-millennia's worth of wisdom is wrong. 8. Charcuterie Three cheeses, Smoked Gouda, Drunken Goat Cheese, And a third orange one with some fruitiness. Strawberries, and succulent grapes--- It's a good season for grapes. Conversation swings to metaphor. Everyone is trying to understand what is a metaphor. Ask the poet in the room... But Aunt M________ was right Yet was scolded. I offer to the semi-curious onlookers "Dead Metaphor." None ever heard of that. There is also complex metaphor. There is negative capability--- When a poem has doubtful interpretations Or perhaps two or three. Some also call that Wit, When you can draw out two or three meanings for a poem. A simile uses "Like" or "As". I didn't dare get into Ekphrasis or something more complex. Though, I did get to a dead metaphor, And this pleased A____. He'd never heard of it before. A way to explain it, Is a metaphor so commonly applied to an object That it became a part of the lexicon. A "Tailgate" is a dead metaphor. Emphasis on the "Tail" That it applies to the "Tail" Of the truck. Others are "Causeway" Or "Parkway" which are different a little As those entail also oxymoronic statements. I learned that these concepts are difficult For even an intelligent person to understand; My family is not stupid. As a lawyer struggled to understand them. Apparently an entire argument erupted at his office Over their specific meanings. You just got to kind of feel them out... Like with all literature. Some can be applied two or three different ways. Idiom was understood. We agreed that "A watched pot never boils" Was proverbial. I do agree it is difficult to pin down What exactly this device is. Is it Cliché? Is it Idiom? Is it Proverbial? Is it Metaphor? Maybe all four. How it is metaphor, is that it is not literally true That a watched pot never boils. But it is counter intuitive, because one sees the common Activity of watching a pot, so the familiarity hides the deceptive untruth. As, certainly, me in my absurd focus during cooking, I have watched a pot And seen the moment it has begun to boil. It kind of has a bubble or two at first, then a few bubbles, Then bubbles collect on all the sides of the pot, To which it begins to raise to the top. And finally, after a slow increase in turbulence, It begins to rapidly percolate. Not paying attention to the water boiling, Which is what the metaphor means, Shortens the attention, and one doesn't notice These steps. Rather, at one moment it seems To be steady---probably steaming a little--- And the next the water rolls in that beautiful way. I didn't really want to argue. I just listened. I spoke what I understand is a metaphor. More of a complex idea that is full and filled with meaning. It's something like the Logos Of an old Twilight Zone Episode Where you know what the episode is really saying. Which, is likely an idea attached to the real world Gained through something which is pure fantasy. Though, nonfiction can have metaphor, too. The way I understand it. As, the entire piece builds up to a meaning, A full idea or revelation about something deeper than the actual Events being described. So, true stories can have metaphors in them, too. A parable is a form of metaphor. Allegory and Analogy work through metaphor. As, in literature, metaphor is a parent class Of a range of literary devices Which simile is included. Alyse showed everyone how to eat the smoked salmon. I preferred it with the Drunken Goat cheese, And the strawberries elevated the flavor of the grapes. The strawberries were weak, but even my cousin Noted, that they made everything around them taste better. Like a good wine ought to do. 9. A Hard Day's Work I put in a satisfying day of hard work. Drank my cokes on break. Felt achy in every joint. Tired was the word, pooped, Treading on hot sidewalks. I came home, and I lay on my bed. The hours passed by, slowly. I realized, that dread from childhood Of the passage of time slowly Was built for a purpose. When one works all day, Eight hours, and comes home physically exhausted, Time ought to move more slowly So you can hopefully be better prepared for the next day's work. 10. My Tired Body I worked my shift. I could do the shift. My doctor says I'm in remission. It wasn't mental this time. Rather, my body just broke down physically. I twisted my thumb sideways... I wanted to stay, but thought better of it. Why risk a torn ligament? I went home. At least it wasn't mental... Well, unless you count the shock of seeing your thumb bent backward. Thank God for risperdone. 11. Biblically Accurate Angels The Cherubim, like A griffon, haunches with Its four faces of the Man, Lion, Eagle and Calf. It, covered with eyes, has wings. Then, the Twenty-Four Elders, look like human men With hoary, crowned heads Robed in brightly, shining Cloth. These are the second. Then there are the Thrones Seated nigh Jehovah's Courts Who are in the form Of men and women. These sing Their hymns of Battles and Heart. Then, Archangels are Two, Michael and Gabriel,--- Those now tasked as the Messengers of God,---carry God's utmost important news. Then Seraphim, like A loong, with feathered wings, it Flies, though it didn't Cover its face or legs toward Me when I saw them singing. Then, are numerous Angels we do not know of. Many myriads. First of, are the raised in Christ, Then many awesome creatures. Then the Cherethims Who are demons, rogue Seraphs Two rogue Cherubs, whom Are the Dragon and Beast,---the False Prophet is of Satyrs. Antichrist, I think, Was an Archangel. He whom Is Lawless upon Our forsaken Earth. Satan's Coup is ordered without Christ. 12. The March Moon I see the March moon;--- There, it hovers long Like a contrail in the sky, But, moves imperceptibly, Like a large clock's hour hand. 13. Self Assessment IQ... 157 Myers Briggs... INFP Though I want to be an INFJ, I am not conscientious enough. Multiple Intelligences Verbal... 100% Mathematical... 57% Musical... 77% Kinesthetic... 23% Spatial Visual... 73% Interpersonal... 90% Intrapersonal... 100% Naturalistic... 90% Existential... 100% Big 5 Personality 45% on Extroversion 67% on Emotional Stability 80% on Agreeableness 12% on Conscientiousness 96% on Intellect and Imagination 13. Rorschach Poem 1 City of dreams; The little African with the clay pot What does this mean? Dreams, dreams, What do you mean? Nothing, except to warn me. For, I love the form of woman And see what she seems: Don’t make me what I’m not, please. For, my little African woman With the clay jar at the waters, There I see you, with your breasts And your jar to take back to the fathers. Why say I’m not what I’m calling When my mind is different than the mass of human falling? There she is, with her jar by the lake; Taking her jar to her husband’s plate. There she is, with her ugly face Looking like some African women Who I’ve known one day. There you are, little African woman Taking your pot to the waters. There’s your piercing upon your knee Decoration, bone jewelry, not a penis you see. Why, because I see the woman doing What women have done For centuries. Leaning over the watering hole And getting water for their villagees. Why, why, does the Rorschach speak such falsehood? I don’t know, for I see it as I know. A woman going to a watering hole. Do you see it too? 14. Rorschach Poem 2 Dreams, dreams Here, walking toward the mountain From the desert is a beaver He searches for the fountains With his tale extended hither. There be his head, And there be his ears He is white and red There you go little beaver. Searching for your home Beneath the massif’s loom There you go, From the desert, like Israel. Searching for the homes A mountain of treeheal. There you go, little beaver On your little way. Rorschach, of this what do you say? 15. Rorschach Poem 3 Dreams, Dreams, Lucille Ball, there you are, Staring in a mirror. There you are, Lucille Ball With your bunny eared fame Staring into mirrors ready for the play. There you’ll bumble out onto the stage And there Ricky and you will do some hilarious thing. Below your famous bosom Be the wooden desk On which you stare into the glassy pane. There you are, readying for the show; Putting on make-up, puckering up To see if it is caked or evenly rose; Lucille Ball, my friend, ready for a hilarious cancan Where you’ll bumble to and fro. Rorschach and Freud, what do you say? That my mother is Lucille Ball today? Nay, nay, ridiculous thing; For look at the woman’s face And you’ll see! Alas, in our generation of playboy bunnies I say she’s comedy gold, readying for a cancan that’s funny. For, the trick to the Rorschach is to be honest you see: And to not let your shrink trick you into seeing what you do not see. For how can anyone who knows Hugh Hefner Not see a playboy bunny? So, idiots of mind, make pure from what is most unkind. The subconscious is a lie, a dastard lie So, just know all it is is your immediate notions applied! This is what I see, Lucille Ball With bunny ears ready for a cancan’s fall; There she’ll go onto the stage Where before she put on makeup for fame. See what is pure in these Rorschachs you see, And God will heal your mind from any infirmity. 16. Rorschach Poem 4 City of dreams, Dream away, Two elephants touching noses today. There be Dumbo, the flying elephant; There be his friend as well. Look at his legs, And look at his trunk The Elephant Dumbo displays. What do the elephants do? What way do they see in the lake? They are just walking by the pond And the one on the right sees himself in the sun And sees his reflection some say. Thus is what I see, An Elephant looking into a lake After drinking a huge drink; This elephant, water allayed. 17. Rorschach Poem 5 Dream, Dream, thou City of Dreams Here sits two men, Two Russian dancers doing the Mazurka Upon their red, leather boots. There they stand, doing their country’s dance A wardance, from ancient customs old; Bringing to mind the joys of peace, And the overcoming of past battles. The two dance together, Joining hands in victory. The old folk dances of the peasants Of Moscow, celebrating Czar Alexander; Natasha Rostov doing her Mazurka In the frock, after the hunt In victory; victory, Mazurka, Victory; Victory’s herald Of the dance of war, for the celebration of peace: Conqueror Czar Alexander! Defender of Europe. 18. Rorschach Poem 6 Dream, dream, city of dreams: A moth, a moth, drawn to the flame A moth, a moth, warmed by the flame Upon the other side, a butterfly’s wing. It’s frilled silk Comes out on the fringe. A moth, a moth, Why do these tests make such lies? For, all I see is a moth and a butterfly. Men look to the moth, And say, “Don’t see the alligators upon its wing,” And now I see them, don’t you? What a horrid thing! Yet a bat I do not see, For it is rightly a moth. Whoever sees a bat is insane, Not I, does this make you wroth? The Rorschach test Is not real psychology: But it can help us see our immediate pathology. Look into the picture, And draw what you will. They have exact answers, According to what’s shown there still. For this is objectively a moth, The two dancing figures a Mazurka The two women, Lucille Ball looking into a mirror And the Elephants and Water Pots, of this I’m sure of. Why do we use them? Because people are sick: What I say is right, As it is logically what’s depict. Insane I may be, But test me in this: If after looking at the objects Are my poems amiss? 19. Rorschach Poem 7 Dream, Dream, A palm tree over a desert island I see. Or an angel, there above the New Mexico crests Spread arms out to give a hug, And flying through the New Mexican gorge. There, staring above the gorge Is the angel, Her butterfly wings behind her, Seraphim; there, ruler of the valleys The New Mexican plateaus. There she is, or perhaps a palm tree There in the ravine. What is so crazy about seeing this? Turn the picture, and see what, exactly? I see the palm or seraphim In the New Mexican Desert; Why? Because New Mexico is beautiful Fantastically exotic, yet American nonetheless. Beautiful, there I imagine flying through the gorge And seeing the canyons and ravines, The pillars of rocky sandstone, A beautiful, sunny landscape That amazes the eyes. 20. Rorschach Poem 8 Dreams, Dreams Two blue crabs Doing a dance to the Eiffel Tower Beneath a sandy beach. Some seaweed grows there With some Lobsters And some fish. The big red things are a Coral reef You see, or maybe a shark or a dauphin? Don’t know which one. But today I’m agitated… So I might see a shark. Do you see what these are used for? For immediate impressions, friends For my mind is agitated And I know it. 21. Rorschach Poem 9 Dream, Dream I see fire. It's a warm, toasty fire. I can see why you're not supposed to see Anything so vibrant or green. A crazy thought crossed through my mind: Maybe there's some credence to these things. 22. Rorschach Poem 10 The last and final. What I see is an old man ready for battle With his blessed armament And a dragon that just got body slammed. The thing down at the bottom looks like a toothed beast And He looks like a warrior in a helmet Donning a chariot Ready to take down the Whore of Babylon. Thus, what I most feared, To be afraid of authority, I fear not; for this authority shall bring down my enemies for me. Selah. 23. I'm not a homosexual, at all. I really can't be homosexual; In my dreams I make love to women And am repulsed by men. However, this primitive response Is likely inspired by my watching the Jungle Book. It imprinted on me from a young kid And I had associated the activity of gathering Water in a clay pot from the Jungle Book As a feminine activity. Displaying a preference for defined gender roles in society. It is offensive for me to think that the appendage is a penis. I can't bring myself to think that, But rather, with the African theme, it is bone jewelry. 24. The general motif here is of the average individual. 25. I see Lucile Ball looking into a mirror. A mirror response indicates narcissism--- While I'm unhappy about that, it is a trait of mine To be selfish, which I'm working on. It is also---if I'm interpreting the data correctly--- Indicative of a thoughtful and reflective personality. However, I'm skeptical of that interpretation And believe it to be on there to ease the egocentricity Of people with severe Antisocial personality disorder--- I will interpret the card as having a strained relationship with my mother. Not narcissism, though I have severe selfish streaks in me which I recognize. The comical nature of Lucile Ball indicates I find my mother humorous, Which I do. The Playboy Bunny reflects my pure attitude toward sex. As, the only sexual image on any of the cards is reflected in the Playboy Bunny Ears, which remind me of Lucile Ball about ready to do a Cancan--- As I probably also saw that imagery in one of the episodes of I Love Lucy at a young age. 26. I see two elephants looking into a pool at the bottom of the card. Not one elephant looking into a reflection, therefore it cannot be a mirror response. They remind me of Dumbo, which is imprinted on me from my childhood As a misfit who has always been singled out as being "Special"; Which is probably also where some of the narcissistic tendencies come from. I see two distinct elephants. 27. I see two Russian Dancers doing a Mazurka Which is a form of Russian Peasant dance. I've seen it many times in the movies And have read about it in War and Peace--- Therefore my association with it comes from the Russian Novelist's Description. Which is a celebratory dance; And in that particular book it was a symbol Of the Russian vigor winning freedom from the French. 28. I have the average response for this. 29. I see a unique item here, a New Mexican Gorge. Particularly, I see a canyon of hoodoos. And an "Angel" or "Palm Tree." The Angel indicates a feeling of being falsely accused Or being overly punished. Why in New Mexico is probably from seeing imagery Of its canyons and ridges in so many TV shows It has imprinted on me. 30. I see a lot of the common imagery in this one, too. 31. I see the common imagery in this. 32. I see an old man in a helmet Who is sitting over a Dragon pelt. It is very common imagery. The beast at the bottom looks like a dragon And I interpret the Dragon as being defeated By the man in the helmet. Probably indicating the strong Paternal Bond I share with my dad. 33. As a whole, I have four common answers. I have nine whole answers. Which indicates extremely high levels of creativity. I have a few movement answers. Which indicates maturity of thinking. I have a few color answers. Which the colors are usually calm or idyllic. I have one mirror answer---which is an indication of narcissism, and I'm working on that. It also might express the strained relationship with my mother. I have a few detail responses, which indicate a moderate level of alertness. I have one sexual response, which the indication of the nature of it was a pure attitude toward sex, relating it to Playboy. 34. My Creed First, I attest to the three oldest creeds of the faith. The Athanasian Creed, the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed. Second, I believe in John Bunyan's understanding of Calvanism. I believe we are sealed by God, through the predestination of His election, And that we must hold onto our Seal, lest we succumb to death by rejecting Christ. I believe every man, woman and child are called and written into the book of life Until they have sinned, and were thereby separated. Yet, by accepting the LORD Jesus, our names are rewritten back into the book of life. If we lose our profession of faith, our names will be blotted out of the book of life. I believe in the Millennial Kingdom, as prophesied in Isaiah, Ezekiel and Revelation; That it is its own distinct time and dispensation Meant to give sustenance to those who've suffered in this life; that they shall then gain the things of this world during Christ's reign, and it will be so that the Meek inherit the Earth. I believe in dispensations, that first men had a vapor of knowledge that God exists And later, God would reveal Himself to Abraham, and Moses, the Prophets and finally reveal Himself unto Death as Christ Jesus, and furthermore through the Apostles. I believe works of charity are integral for salvation. If one has sustenance, they must give to the poor, and have a deep desire to do so. I believe that the Old Covenant is what Jesus referred to as "Finished", And that when Paul says "Works" he means "Works" pertaining to the Mosaic Covenant. I believe in the direct revelation of Prophets and Faith Healings and Tongues--- That all these gifts are still active today. I do not believe the Bible is literally inerrant, because I believe it must be that men do not worship it above God. I believe God's law is inherent, and can be observed by those outside of the church, and even discovered and witnessed. I believe in the Miracles of Genesis, and that God's Omnipotence is above my own understanding. I believe the morals set down by Christ and His Apostles are the law we must follow, and that the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament we must abstain from following. I believe every man, woman and child deserves a sentence of death, as described in the Mosaic law, and this is why Christ accomplished grace at the cross, for even disobeying the Sabbath---who is Christ---is a penalty worthy of death. I believe in the Old Liturgy and Hymns over newly created ones, save that the hymns have rich theology based in the Holy Prophecies of Christ. I believe the Rapture is at the 6th seal, as is prophesied by Christ and John. I believe that if I hold onto these beliefs, and never reject them, and all others taught by God through the Holy Scripture and Prophets and Saints, that I shall never see nor taste of death, and I shall never need suffer through the seven years of tribulation. I believe in laying no barriers to Baptism, save a confession that Jesus is the LORD, that He raised, and a confession of the Trinity. I believe true salvation is evidenced by a deep desire to Fear God's name, and walk in His commandments. I believe in the Fruit of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Self Control, Goodness and Faithfulness are gifts from God, and come from no other source but through God, and are the evidence of the faith. I believe that I am a sinner, guilty of capital punishment and therefore guilty of hellfire, and so need God's grace to return unto Him, and walk a perfect walk with an unstained conscience.
Category: Magic the Gathering
Fan Lore of Magic the Gathering; Nothing Serious
White Magic was always the magic of purity,
The element of surprise.
It dealt with simplicity,
The workings of a Planeswar,
It used the simple sway of arithmetic.
Blue Magic was always the magic of reflection,
The element of mirroring.
It dealt with knowledge.
The workings of a Planeswar,
It used the opponent against himself.
Green Magic was always the magic of nature
The element of strength.
It dealt with brute force.
The workings of a Planeswar,
It used overwhelming power to win.
These were the three good magics.
Red Magic was always the magic of rage
The element of speed.
It dealt with lightning speed.
The workings of a planeswar
It used the overwhelming force of numerical strength to win.
Black Magic was always the magic of decay,
The element of destruction.
It dealt with killing.
The workings of a planeswar
It used the power of decay and death.
These were the two evil magics.
Colorless magic was always the magic of beginnings.
Its element was mechanical.
It dealt with supplementing.
The workings of a planeswar
It used the power of suplmenting the other magics.
This was the neutral magic.
Purity. White.
Knowledge. Blue.
Nature. Green.
Rage. Red.
Death. Black.
Beginning. Colorless.
A Fan Lore of Magic the Gathering; Nothing Serious
In the beginning of Magic
There was one color.
It was without color.
Then, there began the knowledge of words.
There were hateful words.
There were cruel words.
There were pure words.
There were intelligent words.
And there were gentle words.
It so turned to create the five colors
Of Magic.
Hateful words turned into the Red Manna,
And found power in the Mountains
Because the magma boiled underneath them.
Cruel words turned into the Black Manna
And found power in the Swamps
Because of the dead and gross things inhabiting them.
Pure words found power in the White Manna,
And found power in the Plains
Because men grew their corn on them.
Intelligent words found power in the Blue Manna
And found power in the Islands
Because the waters were reflective.
Gentle words found power in the Green Manna
And found power in the Forests
Because the forests were natural.
It soon came to be that the creatures
Started to draw forth from place to place.
Each according to their type,
What kinds of words they were most like.
The angry creatures dwelt among the mountains.
The cruel creatures dwelt among the swamps.
The pure creatures dwelt among the plains.
The intelligent creatures dwelt among the islands.
The gentle creatures dwelt among the forests.
It soon came to be that a Wizard of the Coast
Found how to harness words
And he used it to categorize every creature.
He studied them, and found some were small,
Some were large, some could do unique things
With words. It began to draw attention from other wizards
Who started to learn how to tap into the manna sources
Of the lands, and then draw forth the monsters,
Whom the Wizard of the Coast categorized.
That Wizard was Merlin, the Librarian,
Who meticulously categorized each creature
He studied, and wove them into a page.
Each page, was chronicled
And he cataloged what was possible with the words
And cataloged them also.
It soon came to be that Merlin had cataloged more than 30,000
Different spells, all that was possible with words
But a Gorgon found the books
And began to sell them to other Wizards
Who were soon to be called “Planeswalkers.”
These Planeswalkers would buy Merlin’s pages
Which were copied with perfect renderings—
Merlin was a great collector
But the Planeswalkers saw the Gorgon
Gogawroth’s pages, and began to buy them in bulk.
They could, in the beginning,
Play any spell they wished.
But, Merlin, seeing the realms were being destroyed
And men were losing their lives for nothing,
Took his unbeatable spells and bound Gogawroth’s spells
So that they would be bound into cards.
Gogawroth saw that now there was chance,
So Gogawroth, in one last act of defiance,
Made a Horocrux with his soul
And laid it in an artifact
To give him life again.
He died, but was found by a Goblin King,
A petulant warrior, who resurrected Gogawroth
Who, the newly resurrected Gorgon
Was now Sluks h’Tar The Gorgon of Chance.
The Gorgon of Chance, then,
Having half the power over all of the Planeswalker’s library
Had power to order the libraries howsoever he pleased.
Merlin had power over the spells, and their wordings.
Sluks h’Tar had power over their ordering in a Planeswalker’s library.
Thus, the two were drawn into never ending combat.
Merlin was White, Blue and Black.
Luks h’Tar was Red and Black.
Men tried to manipulate their libraries
To make the perfect draw every time,
But Sluks h’Tar would never let them.
Merlin sought to rebind his library
And therefore take it back from chaos,
So the two set forth to fight one another
In mortal combat.
The Goblin King,
However, was the foe whom Sluks h’Tar
Had used to keep Merlin away.
For the Goblin King was a formidable foe
Whom no Planeswalker would want to fight in combat;
For the Goblin King had mastered chance
And had made a pure library of wrath.
He was the gatekeeper to fighting Sluks h’Tar.
Only one Planeswalker had challenged Sluks h’Tar
And only once was Sluks h’Tar fought in a Magic War.
It was the Beast Master, whom Sluks had beaten
Because Sluks could, as it were,
Control the very order of his cards,
And change them at will, according to any of his desires.
The Beast Master was a legendary Planeswalker
Who defeated Sluks’ second in command,
The Dark One, who commanded death at his legions.
That battle was fierce,
And the Dark One was one of few Planeswalkers who had the advantage over
The Beastmaster;
Not even the Goblin King could fight him.
But, Sluks was Red and Black.
The Beast Master, however,
Offered a pretty opportunity for Sluks to gain control
Of the Forests, the missing manna
In his feud with Merlin.
And the battle commenced,
Where Sluks had drawn Time Vault, Black Lotus, Mox Ruby and Mox Onyx.
He used it to win on the first turn,
For he could, as it were, make himself draw each turn
Continuously,
And even decide who goes first in a match.
For, he was the power over chance,
And the Gorgon of Chance was his title.
Merlin would not fight him,
And Luks h’Tar had power over every
Library, to give advantage or disadvantage to any Planeswalker.
Those who tried to tap into Luks h’Tar’s power
Were swiftly destroyed and given the “Cheater’s Stone”.
So, none could harness Luks h’Tar’s power.
Thus, the realms were ordered
That there were those with Luks,
Who wanted to fight with no order,
And win many tokens of victory.
There were those with Merlin
Who wanted the game to be pure,
And thus, let collections stay with their masters.
For, Merlin wished that no man would lose his library
In battle, nor wager cards.
But Luks wanted that every person must
Wager their libraries in each contest.
For such, the two factions warred among one another…
Luks desiring that once a planeswalker fell,
Their libraries came under the victor’s control.
Merlin had mercy, and wanted the game to be pure
And without this.
Such was the next fight,
And the one you must wage
Planeswalkers.
My Interpretation of the Strategy in Magic the Gathering
White’s strategy is very hard. It is founded on understanding the core game. Prolonging the game by life gaining. And surprise. White’s most powerful mechanic is the element of surprise. Most of the cards are built to put an opponent off guard, and to cause them to question their attacks, the most important part of the game. White will disrupt attack phases, being the weakest of the color wheel. It’s best set is lolling an opponent to feeling comfortable, and then hitting them with a surprise. White is a grandmaster’s choice for its purity. Great players can win with white because they don’t get caught up in playing games other than the one on the board. White has to play the game on the board, making it the weakest of the color wheel, but the strongest when in the hands of a grandmaster player. It is a sort of right of passage.
Red’s strategy is fast. Throw fast attacks, get damage done fast. It burns through those 20 life quicker than anything. Burn spells that deal damage. Little cheap creatures with haste that will deal immediate damage. There is no long term strategy with red. There is only the strategy of ending the game as quickly as possible. It relies more on the basic game mechanics than it does anything else. Blue happens to whip it, Black whips it, and it does average against white. Green has a hard time dealing with Red strategies. Red is probably the weakest color in the game mechanically, if not for its intense speed which makes it one of the strongest as well, when it can outpace other decks.
Blue’s strategy is to mirror an opponent. This makes it harder to play against White decks, which is where blue is at its weakest. Blue will control other creatures, it will make copies of other creatures,—its best weapon is the opponent it’s playing against. It makes a habit of taking what’s strong in another deck, and using it against them. On top of that, it has the strongest removal of all the color wheel, and that’s a counter. It will stifle an opponent’s seven drop instantly, for only three manna or less. If I had to estimate, blue would be the mid strongest color in the game, next to black which is the second.
Black’s strategy is to destroy. It’s on average the second strongest color, but it beats the strongest color handily. Green decks get destroyed by black decks because of deathtouch, wither, and removals. Green’s strategy is building up to a strong creature, and when that creature is killed, green does not work. And black has the most ways to kill creatures. Black is strong against white, too. It throws out the same amount of creatures, has a lot of protection, but all of black’s creatures are a little better for the price. Blue it loses too often because blue will throw black’s strengths back in their face. Black does like to lose life, which is the weakest mechanic in the game, but red gets creamed by black because black also has a heavy life gaining ability. Just about all of the colors are very weak against black except blue.
Green’s strategy is to overwhelm the opponent. It is the strongest color. Only because it utilizes the core mechanic of the game, does it much more efficiently, and can put out as many 1/1 creatures as it does 6/6s. It gets beat by white, coincidentally, and black. And it gets beat by red. And it gets beat by blue. But, the fact is it’s the strongest of the color wheel because while it gets beat by all of the other colors, sometimes even embarrassingly, it has the highest win probability at the same rate. Green is the fastest color for developing high impact creatures. And because of that, it’s the strongest strategy. It often never has manna issues, either. It’s just about the only color that can best every color handily when at its perfection, except black.
My Favorite Cards in Magic the Gathering
The first is Borrowed Grace. A common from the Eldritch Moon block. It gives the player a choice between giving creatures +2/+0 Or +0/+2 Or both. The reason I love this card is because it can make seven 1/1 soldier creatures a threat. Those seven creatures alone can win a game where the player you’re playing against has all of their health. It gives you a knock out blow, that will leave your opponent questioning if they ought to attack.
The second is Righteous Confluence. It has “Choose Three: Destroy Target Enchantment, Create a 2/2 Knight Creature with Vigilance, or Gain 5 Health. You can choose the same mode more than once.” So, basically, you can gain 15 health, create three knights, destroy three enchantments, or any combination. It’s only for five manna. Choice is the best option, as the card has limitless potential during game play. It can single handed bring you back from the brink of losing. At 1 health, you’ll be back at 16, and if at 10 health, you can be at 15 with two creatures on the board with vigilance. The weakest link is the enchantment removal, but even then, players who play enchantments need them for their decks to work. So, it can cripple an opponent’s strategy at worst.
The third is Vampire Nighthawk. A three manna weapon. Vampire Nighthawk has deathtouch. It has life link. It also has flying. It will prevent any opponent from attacking, as it turns the attack phase of an opponent against them. The 2/3 of Vampire Nighthawk means it will block most creatures in the game, and then gain you 2 life on top of it. On offense, it’s even more powerful. But on defense, it will remove your opponents biggest weapons from the board, for only a three manna drop.
The fourth is Angel Song. A really beautiful, and simple card. It prevents all combat damage that turn. If you’re playing aggressive opponents, who on their kill shot want to win the game, Angelsong can completely nullify them, and leave them naked to a counter attack. Most good players are attack heavy as it is, and disabling the attack phase of an opponent is one of the surest ways to cripple them.
The Fifth is Phantom Warrior. There are two cards that are like it, but this one is my preferred for nostalgia’s sake. Unblockable, 2/2, it will rake an opponent for easy damage. Paired with Quietus Spike, it’s like a cruise missile, locked and loaded to tear an opponent. Lock and load them, and when the moment strikes, launch them.
The Sixth is Launch the Fleet. Offensive players will rip with this card. It can take 4 creatures, and make them into 8, all attacking. Though, the extra four are 1/1’s, pair it with a strong field boosting strategy, those four 1/1’s can be incredibly dangerous.
The Seventh is Overwhelming Stampede. This is the best card in the game, hands down. There is no card better than it, because when paired with green decks, it breaks the mechanic of game play. One creature with a power of four or greater, can turn five creatures into monsters with trample. It is a knockout punch every time it’s played. Paired with Elvish Piper, a person can have huge monstrosities out at turn five, and the game won on that same turn if they know what they are doing.
The Eighth is Goblin Bushwhacker. It is my all time favorite card, next to Aether Spell Bomb. It gives all creatures +1/+0 and haste. And for only two manna, and it’s a 1/1 creature already. So, along the lines of Borrowed Grace, if you have ten goblins out, you have twenty damage, even if four of them were played on the same turn Goblin Bushwhacker was played.
The ninth is Aether and Sunbeam Spell Bombs. This is a sleeper, where it will kick one creature to an opponent’s hand. But, it is so easy to bring it back from the graveyard, over and over and over and over and over and over again. It can be used to bounce five or more creatures to an opponent’s hand in one turn, given the right cards being out. The other powerful spell bomb is Sunbeam Spell Bomb, which not as fun, will gain you five life every time it’s used, and can be used to gain forty health a turn.
The tenth is Lightning bolt. Good old lightning bolt. In a red deck, it will clear away any blockers so that extra bit of damage will get through every time. It’s best to be used on creatures, where multiplicity comes in handy. One of the hidden strategies of the game.
The eleventh is Afterlife. It is a three drop, that is removal for white. The creature cannot be regenerated, either. Though, it comes with a setback, it turns the creature into a 1/1 spirit creature with flying, it severely weakens a player’s strategy when white is using black’s strategy of removal.
The Twelfth is of course Quietus Spike. It takes an opponent down to half of their life. It requires a strong player to use in competitive play because it can be cumbersome, but it comes back with some serious heat when it’s used. Paired with unblockable, shadow, flying or lifelink, it can be an incredibly deadly weapon.