Thoughts on Atheism

I saw this atheism group and couldn't help but write down some of my thoughts... These are not completed thoroughly explored ideas, just what came to mind and perhaps could use some more thorough exploration and explication:

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."

--Albert Einstein

"Faith is a cop-out. It is intellectual bankruptcy. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits."

--Dan Barker, former evangelist, author, critic

It is a lamentable pity that one of the greatest scientific minds to have influenced the world and cultural direction would be so uninformed, or if informed, so misunderstanding, confused or perhaps just ignorant of what exactly is religion. It may be true that no religious basis is necessary to dictate ethical behavior, but why? Without religion who is there to say that this is good and that is bad; have sympathy for this person, but not for that, etc. Perhaps education or social ties? Yet who determines which education? which social ties? Perhaps we might entreat Mr. Einstein to ponder an ethical world based on nazi education or mafia social ties. What I am sure Mr. Einstein intends is that ethical behavior be based on putting oneself in the shoes of others, what might be called a moral education, brotherly social ties... all concepts taught explicitly in Christianity and yet even non-Christians recognize as good and wholesome. Perhaps it might then be reasoned that the innate goodness of God is innately in man and that is the true nature of religion. An extremely naive view of religion is to reduce it solely to fear of punishment and hope of reward for it is much more than that. It is the pursuit of perfection in it's entirety, ethical, social, scientific, all-encompassing, complete which thereby precipitates lasting peace and happiness for the world and individuals in it's entirety, ethical, social, scientific, all-encompassing, complete. This is true religion. This is true Christianity and the inadequacy of imperfect people to perpetuate this in their religions or the corruption thereof should not be used as an excuse, especially for those of great intellectual stature, to dismiss it as unscientific for this is truly the definition of either a closed mind or one who refuses to seek truth for fear of its implications. Faith is not a cop-out. It is not intellectual bankruptcy. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are not conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits, you are merely conceding that you do not as yet fully understand it. This does not mean that one merely gives up trying to solve the riddle it simply means that I do not understand exactly how it works, but it does work and I will continue to fire up my bunsen burner, I will continue to take my samples, run my tests and do my calculations, I will continue until I come to a perfect knowledge. Is this not science? Is this not the exact scientific process? Just because faith is not tested in a laboratory can a truly open, scientific mind honestly dismiss it? As human beings we are not all knowing, we do not have all the answers before us, we are however under obligation to seek them out and this is what makes up the history of the world. One needs only to cast his gaze to the evolution of science for this quest for perfect knowledge to reveal itself and it easily does. How then can a truly honest open minded scientist so easily dismiss religion?

"Atheism is not a philosophy; it is not even a view of the world; it is simply an admission of the obvious. In fact, "atheist" is a term that should not ever exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "non astrologer" or a "non-alchemist". We do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle. Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs. An atheist is simply a person who believes that the 260 million Americans (87 percent of the population) claiming to "never doubt the existence of God" should be obliged to present evidence for his existence-and, indeed, for his BENEVOLENCE, given the relentless destruction of innocent human beings we witness in the world each day."

--Sam Harris, "Letter to a Christian Nation"

Holy cow, I was not aware of the fact that atheists were just as insecure and defensive as most Christians. For atheists and Christians alike, there is no need to be insecure and defensive about your beliefs rather your beliefs should speak for themselves. You are of course obligated to express and share your beliefs with others for if you believe that you are absolutely correct you should feel obliged to help others onto your same path however you should certainly not force others into your religion, be it atheism or any other religion, neither should you oppress or persecute those who, heaven forbid, think differently than you do. I say this however I see by the second half of Mr. Harris' letter that he is rather shamefully misinformed about the nature and character of God and religion and thereby unfit to pass judgement as to his belief in the obvious and condemnation of the unjustified.


"When I became convinced that the universe is natural, that all the ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into every drop of my blood the sense, the feeling, the joy of freedom. The walls of my prison crumbled and fell. The dungeon was flooded with light and all the bolts and bars and manacles became dust. I was no longer a servant, a serf, or a slave. There was for me no master in all the wide world, not even in infinite space. I was free--free to think, to express my thoughts--free to live my own ideal, free to live for myself and those I loved, free to use all my faculties, all my senses, free to spread imagination's wings, free to investigate, to guess and dream and hope, free to judge and determine for myself . . . I was free! I stood erect and fearlessly, joyously faced all worlds."

--Robert G. Ingersoll

Mr. Ingersoll speaks of becoming convinced which lead me to reason that he was once a member of some religion. I feel sorrow for anyone who belongs to a religion which imprisons its believers and shackles them in iron manacles dictating to them their thoughts and feelings and actions for this is not religion. Religion is to be free--free to think, to express ones thoughts--free to live ones own ideal, free to live for oneself and those one loves, free to use all ones faculties, all ones senses, free to spread imagination's wings, free to investigate, to guess and dream and hope, free to judge and determine for oneself. The only cautionary is ones own ideal. Religion does not eradicate ones freedom to do anything, however, were one left only to his own ideals where would the world be? Am I just in lying? cheating? stealing? murdering? If these are my own ideals am I justified? Am I justified in the oppression and destruction of others if it sets me "free" and brings me "joy". Of course not, religion does not remove freedom and dictate actions, religion encourages righteous use of freedom and benevolent action. True religion should never force and restrict, men are always free to do as they please. True religion encourages men to free themselves of the petty worldliness of the base and spread their wings and fly on the dreams of hope to a higher, better plain.

"Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism."

--Isaac Asimov, "On Religiosity," Free Inquiry ††

The world is already in a sad state, how infinitely worse it would be if all believed or expected death to be nothingness. Think of the rise in lying, cheating, stealing, murder and all manner of heinous crime. If all were to ascribe to this absurdity there would be no reason for goodness, love, charity, peace. All would be selfishly united under one philosophy: Me, myself and I. If there is naught but nothingness to come, all I seek is to maximize pleasure and why would I or what would impel me to care for others? The only reason which would remain that may entice one to do "good" is fear of social repercussions. I am afraid to wrongfully accuse you or to lie, cheat, steal or murder to get gain because society will destroy me. Thus my motives for ethical behavior are naught but selfish. And you should society destroy me? Because each person realizes that if I am not halted in my taking advantage of others, what is to stop me taking advantage of you and thus only the strong are satisfied. Thus society unites for each individual to precipitate for himself the most possible happiness. Society hereby is therefore based on fear of punishment or persecution and hope of reward... is not this the very thing Mr. Einstein deplores? True religion should not fear death neither should fear be anywhere contained therein. Is it not death merely a continuation of life in a different form? Is not true religion meant to enhance and improve individuals and precipitously society?

"You do not need the bible to justify love, but no better tool has been invented to justify hate."

--Richard A. Weatherwax

Have you ever read the bible? I have and you obviously haven't read the same one I read.


"Why should I allow that same God to tell me how to raise my kids, who had to drown His own?"

--Bertrand Russell

Do these people even make the tiniest effort to be informed about religion, or at the very least have a correct basic 4 year old understanding of it before dismissing it all and making such idiotic comments?


It seems that there is some heinous, predatory religion out there which has oppressed, persecuted and robbed atheists of their freedom to think and act for themselves. To these great pioneers who have broken free of such oppression and fought their way to freedom I say hooray! Thank God that you have finally gained the freedom to think for yourself, the freedom to be an agent unto yourself, to act for yourself, to choose good or bad. Live free, use all your faculties and senses, spread imagination's wings, investigate, guess, dream, hope. Stand erect and fearlessly, joyously face all worlds. This is true religion, embrace it. Discover truth, find happiness, dream of better things. Open your mind and honestly seek. You will find, then you must follow. This does not imprison, this is not oppression, you will find your freedom and capacity for love and joy and happiness expanded, you will find amazement, wonder, intrigue, you will truly be free and you will truly be as God.

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Ramayana

Bala Kanda: The Beginning

The Sage

Along the river bank the sage Valmiki in deep thought pondered,
When all at once a soft, sweet singing into his ears wandered.

He raised his head from whence to find the voice that filled the summer’s day
And saw a pair of curlews in the sun’s bright, innocent ray.

Enrapt in awe he watched their play just as the gods upon us gaze,
When all at once from world unseen a hunter ripped through in a blaze.

From bended bow a swift arrow flew through the air with fated blow
As two small curlews unawares were parted in such bloody woe,

And torn to pieces both mates and sage in pity the prophet sang
A curse upon the hunter laid as new verse to the heavens rang.

Hearing this new verse called sloka the god Brahma now appeared
And bade the poet that he write the story that would be revered.

The story is of Rama’s way inspired by the gods on high,
Now told to all that they might learn and faster on to heaven fly.

Unbalance

In heaven do the gods all hear from earth the feasts of sacrifice,
And to their will they must all bend, the broken law thus to suffice.

There lived three brothers all of whom obeisance to the gods did burn.
Ravana the most pious was and through this worship he did earn

A boon from the great Lord Brahma: Ask what he will and it shall be.
He needed not much time to think, he wish’d for immortality.

Denying thus, it could not be, Lord Brahma bade him wish anew.
His ten heads did refuse to see the pride that now did turn the screw.

His wished to be invincible, o’er demons, gods and spirits all.
He prayed that none of these could be the master of his own downfall.

Contempt he held for one and all but most severely toward man,
Thus of this wicked boon exempt, man must destroy the evil plan.

Ravana with his new found pow’r set out to gain all that he could,
The heavens, earth and in between learned that he could not be withstood.

From Lanka’s heart he ruled all spheres, in evil wrath he reigned with fire.
All worlds were thrown to disarray and life was rolled into the mire.

From far and wide all did complain at Brahma’s feet they did recoil,
Yet Brahma knows the tale of time and feared not this mighty toil.


Lord Vishnu was to balance bring the order of the broken law,
Through glorious, but simple means all creatures would in marvel awe.

Birth

In the land of Kosala lived a king most noble and upright.
King Dasaratha is that king who fair Ayodhya holds in sight.

For sixty thousand years he ruled, but time is master of all men
And as his days began to wane he sought a son to rule after him.

With no posterity he sought to offer sacrifice and ask,
The gods to bless him with a son that could fulfill this heavy task.

Rishyashringa his chiefest priest performed the sacred ritual rite,
And once the offering was ripe, he led all to the holy light.

The remnants of the off’ring were, between the three wives of the king
Divided that they each might eat and thus a royal son forth bring.

Lord Vishnu did to earth now hie in human form the world to save,
As Dasaratha’s loyal sons he came to balance out the knave.

Four sons in fair Ayodhya born, the eldest son to Kausalya
This was Rama, most dutiful. The second son was Bharata,

Born to the youngest of the queens, Kaikeyi who the plot begins,
And last of all to Sumitra were born a pair of loyal twins.

Lakshmana, most devoted man, to Rama was a right hand man,
While Shatrughna to Bharata, an equally devoted fan.

Marriage

He loved his sons so well the king, but Rama was his favorite one,
Thus when Vishvamitra did come and beg the king to send his son,

To slay the demons in the woods who did disrupt their holy pleas
That driving off these rakshasas they might be left in quiet lees,

The king was somewhat hesitant and feared his favored son to send,
But Rama filled with valiance did soon his fathers will ascend

That he and Lakshmana did go with the wise sage, the wood to purge
Of all the demon rakshasas so that with heav’n each sage might merge.

The purging done, the sons were blessed and on their head the sage bestowed
Magical weapons fit for gods and led them on to a new road.

The kingdom where fair Sita lived was the kingdom of Videha,
Ruled over by a goodly king who was her father Janaka.

A godly bow he did possess and promised to whom it could bend
The hand of Sita in marriage, but none was found whom it could rend.

Strong Rama came and tried the bow. He raised it up with one great arm
And with no effort seemingly, he did the bow the greatest harm,

He pulled the string with the other and the god’s bow began to crack
The godly Rama filled with strength, broke the bow with a deaf’ning snap.

In delightful matrimony, Lord Rama was to Sita wed
And home to Ayodhya returned with joyous for all to spread.

Ayodhya Kanda: In Ayodhya

The Two Wishes

As age lingers on, joy abounds. The king seeks now to crown an heir.
All hail great Rama the new king who rules in justice blind and fair.

The world rejoices but not all, a cunning hunchback takes offence,
And to Kaikeyi swift in flight, she speaks and makes evil commence.

She preys upon the poor queen who, through slippery words she deceives
And thus her means she brings about through the third queen who stands naïve.

In times past fought Dasaratha many battles on foreign field
For truth and righteousness he sought and never once his will did yield.

Yet once in midst of heated war, he fell and was it seemed to die,
But in that time his charioteer did quickly to his rescue fly,

And from a mortal wound was saved the king, to rule and fight again.
That charioteer who saved his life he made his queen with him to reign.

Now as his third queen Kaikeyi does reign beside midst shining moons
And this he promised he would give to her as she did please, two boons.

Straight to his side again she flew when news of Rama’s crowning soared.
She to her husband’s mind did bring and those two boons humbly implored.

The king was duty bound to give what long ago he then had vowed
To Kaikeyi with deepest fear, of him two boons he thus allowed.

She begged that he, her son enshrine upon the his throne to rule the land.
And next that Rama should be sent to woods thus from the city banned.

With sorrow in his heart, obeyed the king afraid not to follow
All people of that blessed land, lonesome in the mire to wallow.

Thus Rama and fair Sita go with Lakshmana the faithful one,
Into Dandaka’s forest dark, a duty which has to be done.

Exile

The citizens of Ayodhya refuse to see poor Rama go,
Into Dandaka forest then with him their loyalty they show.

But Rama the most dutiful arises early in the morn,
And with his faithful wife and kin sets on before the dawn.

His people are with one accord forced to return with heavy heart,
And mourn the loss of their new king as home in mourning they do start.

Bharata, brother true, denies to rule in Rama’s rightful stead,
To the forest he goes in search to bring some sense to Rama’s head.

But duty bound he won’t return and Rama stays for fourteen years,
To live life as an ascetic and then to govern all his peers.

To place upon the vacant throne Bharata meekly takes his shoes
He swears as steward he will rule ‘til Rama has paid all his dues.

Thus fourteen years the forest held as captive that wise example
Who taught the way that we should act - this piece of his life to sample.

Aranya Kanda: In the Forest

Sita’s Aduction

Fourteen years have now gone passed and his return is awaited,
As they journey to the kingdom another path seems now fated.

Ravana to the world lays waste and promised Vishnu must restore
The balance that was overthrown when evil into the world bored.

As he flew in fine Pushpaka, across the sky in search of more,
The demon’s eye on Sita fell, her beauty struck him to the core.

Devising thus a wicked plan he sent through woods a golden deer,
Maricha, lowly rakshasa, was forced the wheel of fate to steer.

Through the woods as a deer he ran across the path of Sita’s gaze,
Who was enthralled with such a sight and found her senses in a daze.

She begged that for her Rama would, that golden deer kill as her prize,
But Rama wisely refused her ‘til he could no longer bear her cries.

Then in Lakshmana’s able hands he left her as he flew to find
That golden deer that he might slay to thus appease his wife’s in kind.

Thus deceived he hunts the demon, but Sita soon impatient grows
And through much feminine coaxing sends Lakshmana to chase the foe.

Exposed now to the demon king, alone she stands with no safeguard.
And from his chariot up high he swoops down to the earth now marred.

After much attempted swooning, by force he steals another’s wife,
While Rama and Lakshmana hunt, poor Sita struggles for her life.

Jatayu that most noble bird, who always does what should be done,
Sees from the sky this evil deed, so swift to aid and evil shun.

He tears at Ravana in flight and mars and maims him with his might,
It seems that this great bird will win and so as well will what is right.

But in a moment of great rage, Ravana pulls free his sharp sword,
And lashing with his twenty arms he cuts right through a wingly cord.

Defeated to the earth he falls, Jatayu that most noble bird,
Dejected he there lies to die as evil could not be deferred.

Disabused of their deception, our heroes now return to find,
That Sita is no longer there, a dying vulture left behind.

Jatayu, that most noble bird, relates to them all that occurred,
And Rama now filled with remorse lets loose a cry ne’er before heard.

Now as Jatayu slowly dies, in search of Sita off they set,
Reborn again as vulture king, the balance promised will be met.

Kishkindha Kanda: In Kishkindha

Hanuman and Sugriva

Through the forest went the brothers in desperate search of Sita lost,
When they came upon two monkeys who seemed down trodden and storm tossed.

Once introductions had been made, the monkeys’ set to tell their tale
How, Vali, their evil brother had given them great cause to wail.

Sugriva was the rightful king, but Vali in a jealous rage,
Had from him his sweet bride deprived and heavy war upon them waged.

Now Hanuman, raised by gods, remained a brother at his side,
The only monkey in the earth who would not from duty hide.

A pact was made betwixt them there that Rama would his crown restore,
And having thus regained his place, Sugriva would the search explore.

So to vanara they all went to wage upon a wicked king,
A war that would presage the peace that Rama would forever bring.

Vanara

As they arrive in Kishkindha, our heroes here are forced to hide,
That Hanuman and Sugriva might subtly reverse the tide.

Barred from ent’ring the monkey cave Sugriva calls a challenge in,
That Vali’s pride cannot deny and out he goes to face his kin.

But his wise wife doth counsel give that he should quit while he’s ahead.
Yet as a wicked king he fails by prudent warning to be led.

On to face in mighty combat, the fierce warrior Sugriva,
Yet Vali too a tough soldier, they fight as destructive Shiva.

Both seasoned veterans of the fight, it looks as though neither can win,
The upper hand no one can tell as in a blur the spin and spin.

Sugriva seems about to win, when Vali to our great dismay,
Strikes him with a hefty blow and Sugriva is about to slay.

At this most pivotal moment from the forest deep inside,
An arrow from a hidden place through wispy air to Vali flies.

Deep in his back the arrow sinks and to the earth villain falls,
Sugriva now is king again and to order his kingdom calls.

The Search Begins

Allegiance now to Rama pledged he calls a meeting of all beasts,
From far and wide the armies come to counsel while they sit at feast.

The search for Sita is their goal and how to save her is their zest,
The animals of all the earth to Rama pledge their ablest best.

Armies sent in all directions scour the earth in desperate searching,
Man and beast ‘gainst demon opposed shall bring to pass a godly thing.

Sundara Kanda: The Beautiful Book

The Search Continues

Toward the south and Lanka was sent the army of Hanuman,
Among the leaders of this group was the bear ruler Jambavan.

In everywhere along the way they searched for clues, but all in vain,
‘Til to a cave they duly came and entered in hope to attain.

But this was Maya’s cave of trees and once inside they were deceived,
Unable to escape they cried for someone to their plight retrieve.

Swayamprahba their cry did hear but only then for Rama’s sake,
Aid them in their sorrowful state and show them how they might escape.

Free from the cave they found themselves upon the sands of vastless seas.
In anguish once again they cried and felt to die upon their knees.

In Vanara all had returned save one last army Lanka’s way,
A month had passed and time up, the search had failed to light the day.

Yet Hanuman was still missing still and all wondered what could be wrong,
The journey through the cave had been, unknown to them a whole month long.

Hanuman’s Adventure

Upon the shore with all hope lost they found a vulture almost dead,
This was Sampati sunly scorched, the brother of Jatayu bred.

For many years he had lain there, unable to rise from searing heat,
Ravana he had barely seen, to Lanka’s gate fly in retreat.

With joyous shout the army sang, but worried how to cross the sea,
Then Hanuman his power showed and leapt across as only he,

Trained of the gods could hope to do, as mighty in his leaping bound
For Lanka ‘til he did arrive and safely land upon the ground.

All through the city despairing in search of Sita he did go,
‘Til hidden behind the castle, Sita he found in sacred grove.

He tried to take her off with him, but this was not in his mission,
Return to Rama with this news as was his divine commission.

Before he left some havoc caused and with his strength killed many guards,
But Indrajit with magic bound him with invisible wax cords,

Before Ravana he did stand and sentenced to be burned alive,
From his iron chains he ‘scaped with flaming tail he survived,

But set, as from Lanka he flew, the whole city ablaze with fire,
And laughed to see as he leapt, home the city in a plight so dire.

In triumph back to Vanara, as he and all his army came,
A scolding king did meet them there, but soon aware did laud their name.

To Lanka then they all did set to save poor Sita from despair,
All mortal beings from far and wide, did venture forth for this affair.

Yuddha Kanda: War

The Bridge

Not all as Hanuman could jump across the vast and raging sea.
Therefore the animals did build a bridge that spanned elegantly,

The raging waters of Lanka which surrounded the demon’s lair.
All animals with one accord did aid from squirrel up to bear,

Until the mighty bridge was done and Lanka was attainable,
Then the army crossed waters to begin the battle fabled.

The Battle

From within the hidden city rakshasas poured ready to fight,
As man and beast fought side by side: the darkness thus against the light.

The war was exceedingly sore as soldiers fell on either side,
But greater far the demon’s fell, as evil’s power began to slide.

Then desperate to hold his reign, to Indrajit Ravana flew,
And begged his son to use his pow’r to Rama’s army thus subdue.

Then Indrajit with lightning speed into the battle skies he took,
Upon his chariot he flew, invisible to all that looked.

From there he rained down magic spells that wounded all within their path,
And soon the battle field was still with nothing but a bloody bath.

None stirred except for Hanuman who possessed immortality,
And up he rose to jump again to Himalya across the sea.

The healing mount upon his back he raised and to the battle field,
Returned with healing in his wings and would not vict’ry to death yield.

As Rama rose Ravana feared and counseled with Vibbhishana,
Whose counsel he refused to hear, but would rather ‘gainst Rama.

For Sita he would not set free and on to face Rama he went,
But Vibhishana wiser was and before Rama did repent.

The demon king came out to meet, arrayed in warfare’s thick armor,
The godly Rama, king of men, to fight over each’s honor.

Each struck mighty blow upon blow and each refused at all to yield,
When with pow’rful, searing strike, the sword of Rama struck the shield,

And into cinders it crumbled to leave the demon’s flesh laid bare,
Yet still he fought with vicious zeal and anger in his eyes did flair,

‘Til Rama made the fatal strike as through the demon’s flesh sword seared,
The end had come for Ravana who mortal man had never feared.

Fair Sita was returned to him and balance once again restored,
But only by much blood being shed and through the horror of dark war.

Back to Ayodhya they travel and hope that evil’s at its end,
The city, overjoyed, sings praise as hope and peace Rama did mend.

Uttara Kanda: The Last Chapter

Dissent

For many thousand years he ruled with Sita, queenly, at his side,
But dissension ‘mounst his people he could hear from him did hide.

To Lakshmana he begged answers, whence he could handle it no more,
He learned the virtue of his queen was the issue of such discord,

Though he knew her to be faithful, for his people he dispelled her,
And from thence in misery lived ‘til death upon him would transfer.

The Poem

Queenly Sita who wished to die, the good Lord Brahma sent to me,
Where Rama’s twin sons she did bare, I am the poet Valmiki.

I wrote in this spontaneous verse the story of Rama’s great way,
And on the morrow Rama comes to hear it sung all through the day.

As Rama heard his twin sons sing, he wished for Sita once again,
Who then returned before the crowd and pled her innocence from sin,

But biting arrows from the mob to Rama’s plea refused rebirth,
Thus Sita proved her faithfulness and called upon the Goddess Earth,

Who from within below did then arise and to her bosom Sita went,
Her faith was proved and there to stay ‘til Rama for her could be sent,

And this only when more years passed and Rama’s time on earth expired,
No more to do but leave man be and from this earth he then retired.

But still lives on his legacy as all men might this story hear,
In this great poem of Rama’s way, may teach us how to live each year.

The End.

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

A haiku

The broom tree appears
From afar he approaches
Which captures his prey?

     ~ about the Tale of Genji

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Soneto 5: De Mar a Mar

De mar a mar, errante, la gente
Busca andando en noche de luz,
Mas anda buscando de cruz a cruz
Lentemente, la gente, creyente.

De siglo tras siglo todo gira.
Mundo Redondo, dan alabanza.
Mundo Plano, alaban en danza.
Gira, gira y nada se mira.

La mujer sobre aguas reposa,
Con cadena mas sin licencia,
Nos enseña esposas... esposa.

Reposa la Duena Ciencia,
Se presenta esposa lujosa,
Y ya ciencia... creyencia

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Sonnet 4: The Bitter Cup

A distance from the sleeping crowd, alone,
Enshrouded in the darkness of the night,
The garden gloom embraces all my own
And shadows taunt the silent, waning light.

Despairing, broken, shattered, torn apart,
I stumble to my knees with anguish'd cries.
The pain you left seeps through my bleeding heart
And silent tears fall from defeated eyes.

Beneath the weight escapes a pleading sigh
Which trembles in the Winter's growing cold.
A gentle light approaches from on high
And tender arms my battered soul enfold.

     A warm voice softly whispering, "My son,"
     And then, "Fear not; My will, not thine, be done."

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Sonnet 3: One Day, One Room

Through the door of that room I watch you leave,
As entrances and exits all around
Stand still, unnoticed, in the room's dark eve
And waning dreams from crumbling walls resound.

Conflicting Voices, new and old, becry:
Experience from this to thee shall come,
'Tis for the best, His hand in this doth lie,
Why waste your time when nothing can be done?

From room to room I linger in that one,
Alone in crowds; afraid to lose what's lost,
While Reason seeks to succor his sad son,
Yet fails to bind the broken and storm toss'd.

     A tear falls from my eye for 'tis enough
     That once in faded room we were just us.

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Sonnet 2: To Audrey, the Bathshebas, etc.

Atop the roof, as night begins the sin,
He slyly struts: the wolf out on the prowl
He spies the moonlight glisten off her skin
In distant woods he hears the darkness howl

Amidst that gloom another twists and twines
It seems the gods his journey do oppose
As lightning strikes only her beauty shines
His course maintain'd on to bestow that rose

Now at her feet one patiently implores
The other with the tongue of Sinon mocks
Through tangled lives of choices she ignores
Out seeps the life of one who is no fox

     While poor Will sleeps in streets of scoff and scorn
     The fool returns from roof to court at morn

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved

Sonnet 1: Ode to an Hotdog

When first we met 'midst gold Elysium,
Beneath the arches of Semele's son,
I heard the fool upon his lyre strum
And felt unrest within my breast undone.

I reached to kiss the glove upon thine hand,
For one small taste enflames a thousand more,
Yet from my sight you flew to trojan land,
Where I for thee to Nestor did implore.

Betrayed as Rome's now shrunken legacy,
The Mayan bell which tolls doth beat my prayer.
From sea to shore I hop in quest of thee
'Til Arthur's table round comes to be square,

For love's sad lust doth Contradiction aid:
     With or without your love my soul doth fade.

Copyright © 2008 by Layne Cockcroft

All Rights Reserved