Road to Galilee

Dedicated to my Father.

Road to Galilee

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Upon the road to Galilee

came upon a man that asked of me

Greetings, brother, can you spare

A simple kindness filled with care

I've traveled long this wretched road

Of burdened loss and troubled soul.

My sorrows wane in misery

I've lost my faith and will to be.

I've nothing left; my love is gone

A broken heart that can't move on.

But if you could be... oh so kind

To ease these troubles in my mind.

I pondered 'pon the words he said 

Took pity on this man instead 

For what is gained should I deny

A righteous virtue in solemn cry 

I will be the rock you rest upon

A comfort rain to cleanse the wrong 

The light which shines the road ahead

A voice of hope in words unsaid.

Take these wings I give to you

With Angel's love to guide you true

For let the path of righteous glow

Lead you to the love you know...

With opened eyes you'll come to see

Upon this road to Galilee.

Author's Note

Rarely has anything written itself more then this piece of writing. I can't really take credit for it. As stated many times before I am agnostic. But it does not mean I am lacking in spirit. I would contend it makes me more spiritual because I'm willing to view faith objectively. I have a profound love for the writings of faith because they aspire us to be better, to not be afraid to reach our greater nature. It's in our best humanity we love our best way; and truer to ourselves. We are all on the same road in this journey and I believe that this poem speaks of that road. Are we the man, or the angel? Or perhaps both, for only you know your own path on that journey. And in the endwhere it shall lead. I will see you there, where I will be waiting...

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I enjoy & am intrigued by your lyrical dedication to a troubled relationship between you & your father. I've not read that much of your stuff yet, but I've read more about your father than I've ever written about my own father. I would wager to say the connection between you & your father is still quite strong & full of powerful emotions (((HUGS)))

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

There is much truth to your statement. For the last 12 yrs of his life he was in my care. It's a very long story but to make it short he suffered a massive stroke a couple of months after having brain surgery to remove a tumor. He was about 37 at the time. He was abusive before he was sick after his stroke it basically neutered his behavior and his personality became docile and dependent on others. My mother immediately divorced him once she felt she had nothing to fear anymore. He had also become epileptic because of the surgery which made it difficult for any of his siblings to care for him. He drifted between relatives for several years until there was talk of placing him into a hospice. Despite his past abuse of me I decided to take responsibility of him. So for several years I took care of him. Before his passing we had reconciled but in all honesty I had already forgiven him because I had come to understand that the man who had abused me had died many years ago. And that this shell of a man was someone else altogether. After his passing his burial had become very contentious. With family members fighting for pennies. For my own mental stability I found it prudent to walk away from all of them and live in solitude. I have not spoken to any of them since 2010. It is a family tragedy but no worse than any other. When I read this poem it breaks my heart. It reflects a time of forgiveness and final goodbye. Was I his road to Galilee or was he mine? Perhaps both I would love to believe. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece and let the words find a place in your heart.

[barleygirl]

As always, your long thoughtful shares are gifts. This is truly the most peaceful (in this reply to me) that I've ever read you. Sometimes you come across as a little frenzied, which makes me wonder. But this reply does not make me wonder. I do believe you've got this in a healthy place. I admire you for taking on the responsibility of nursing ANYONE, least of all a family member. I have been estranged from my family since about 2010, as well (((HUGS)))

[Ruth]

This is a beautiful dedication Carlos. I think faith, whatever path as mentioned, is perhaps the ALL and that ALL is one point but many, many avenues lead to it - in the end, maybe we do indeed create our own realities and head where we envision - such a vast topic I could talk about for hours but I don't wish to sidetrack from the beauty of the poem...lovely piece :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You are absolutely correct Ruth. There are many avenues, triumphs, failures, and paths that lead to our own Galilee. I am reminded of a line from a poem I'm currently working on. It goes "We are not the sums of our scars. We are the survivor of them." Perhaps in the end when all is said and done we will find that we ourselves through all the difficulties of our life journey are Galilee. I so appreciate your kind insightful thoughts on this piece. Especially as an admirer of the art you submit to this community we are part of. Thank you so very much.

[Ruth]

Thank you Carlos, I really appreciate your kind words :) In the end, I believe true self is the key - this is a beautiful ode and my pleasure to read :)

[John the Baptist]

As I am a fan of the rhyming couplet, this one appealed to me immediately. As Galilee was the home province of Jesus of Nazareth, we must presume this work is influenced by him, though he is not named specifically. The subject of the poem seems to be one who has known much hardship and disappointment in life, yet his faith is buoyed up by an encounter with what appears to be an angel. The angel gives him wings, which probably are symbols of an uplifted spirit, which will guide him through the darkness to his reward. The overall feeling, especially at the end, is that good is ever available if we just refuse to let the world overcome us. May we all have such experiences.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you John for your incredibly insightful thought on this piece. My favorite art is the kind that leaves an ambiguous interpretation, one that is open ended. It allows the reader to surmise on their own how it may reflect upon their life. Perhaps in the symbology they may find a mirror of things that aspire hope in themselves to their better nature. Though our roads differ and paths turmoil are uniquely our own in the end the idea of Galilee and Providence is a place we yearn for because to us inside it is home. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this poem.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hopeful and strong journey in the words Carlos. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP for your thoughts on this poem. At its heart I feel this has a very spiritual message of forgiveness that I can identify with. And anything that makes us better toward one another I wholeheartedly agree with. Thank you again my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Carlos and you are welcome.

[Pete]

wonderful journey on that road. nice rhyme and flow. i appreciate the thoughts and where you took us. i know well this road you speak of - been down it many times. thanks for sharing ... :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Pete for your thoughts on this poem. I wish I didn't know the road of which this work speaks of but unfortunately I too am very familiar with it as well. A weary spirit I may be though I continue ever forward toward my Galilee. Thank you again my friend.

[Carol Crismond]

Your poem was so well written and understand the feeling of loss and sadness. I have maintained my faith and it has brought me through numerous life experiences that should have left me broken. You are right we all share the same road maybe different journeys but being true to ourselves is a common denominator that protects us from becoming totally disabled in life's experiences. I enjoyed your words and thoughts.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Carol for your kind thoughts on this poem. Faith has its purpose in the world. Without it there would be no hope. Because it asks of ourselves to be better and think of our greater humanity. To love better. Despite I myself being agnostic I still recognize the beauty and importance of faith in our species. One can not always rise above their greatest challenge without faith in themselves or a higher purpose. Faith and hope exists because love does. Without these virtues we would simply be animals devoid of all humanity. It is our compassion to love and understand and think beyond ourselves that makes us who we are. And to strive for our better angels. Thank you again for your thoughts.

[jen]

Carlos, this almost seems to be a roadmap to forgiveness. If this is in the area of truth the offer seems so generous. I believe we all are loved and forgiven, but the reflection of those we have encountered and have been involved in the phases of our life, deserve attention and notation of certain kind. The privledge of family holds certain expectations I think. Out of the mix some advocates should arise. whether our loved ones live up to this or not is out of our control. You are loved dear man. Those that are graced with your words love you. Your words create a reflection for us to take in and relate. This poem speaks to the reader and is lovely and powerful.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Jenny for sharing your thoughts on this poem. You're so correct our highest virtues are love and forgiveness. Humanity is at its best when we reflect these qualities in life. Hate is the easiest emotion and most divisive to display. It represents our worst trait as humans. I believe when we display our greatest virtues toward one another we have achieved our better angels. And the best of our humanity. I am so appreciative that you have seen the most accurate message this poem seeks to reveal. Thank you for the kindness of your words and taking the time to comment on this work I so appreciate it.

[Terry]

This piece is beautiful and very well done. It has a way of just speaking to you that though you can be unconscious of the role at the moment your mind races to find which one you play. how you managed to parallel both sides of the human path in this is amazing in goodness you are either helping or accepting help. It speaks to both sides because it shows it never hurts to search for help in life and it won't ever hurt to give a little to help either. It does so in such a beautiful way my heart cried! That's all I can explain it as. Amazing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Terry for the kind words I truly appreciate it. What is more human a display of love then to show it to those less fortunate in life. To show empathy and kindness is one of the great virtues of our humanity. To ask for help during our most difficult times is not a weakness but a strength. These things are self defining characteristics in being better human beings. Love is our greater virtue and without it we lose the best part that makes us human. I'm so happy that you looked beyond the religious connotation and simply saw the humanity in this piece. Because to me that's the most important message of this work. Treating each other as we would treat ourselves. With love and dignity. Thank you so much again for your kind words.

[.]

It's a nice piece of writing... Sometimes we need a caring, loving heart to guide us through many upheavals and act as our own guiding angel, and I can proudly say that my father is that person who always guided me when I sought a road to come out from any confusion, and it makes me immensely satisfied if he asks any guidance from me, in the decision making process. I truly love this poem

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your kind words. They truly mean a lot to me. We are guided through life by following the path our hearts lead us upon. Sometimes we lead ourselves astray or even in trusting other we betray our heart to follow a bad path. But it leads us to our better selves. We can not grow in life without strife and struggle. We don't learn to appreciate the gift we are given without the struggle it took to receive it. Love is that greater gift. Empathy from others makes the love we have greater. They add to our heart, just as a bad person takes from it. We are surrounded by angels we simply do not see because we are blinded from them. It's when they love us that we see just how human an angel is. Because they are those who have always loved us and been with us throughout our lives encouraging us to be better. Your father is the angel in this poem. Always remember that my friend.

[.]

Yes, so true, so true! I really appreciate this reply... Thank you

[Apollos]

“A simple kindness filled with care”

Is all it really takes to change the world. I often fantasize of huge obstacles that I would have the power to overcome by faith. Yet I’ve found the truest and most difficult expressions of my faith are in the seemingly “mundane” things of life.

I was curious over your thoughts on Jesus.
Care to share?

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

The beauty of life is found in mundane things. You see we are in every action we do. The purpose of our intent reflects in them. Do good acts and people will see the humanity of your actions, and in essence know your heart. It's easy to say the words of Jesus, but it's more difficult to live them. It's easy to admire the ideas of Gandhi, yet more difficult to follow them. You could have the same dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. but lack the will to accomplish them. All these men drank from the same well called hope. But it was their hearts which moved them to action. Strip Jesus of the mysticism and divine acts and what is left? A man just like you. But with a heart unlike us, because when moved by injustice he followed a path of hope to change the world. We can't be these great men that came before us, but we can follow and improve upon their path. Be like MLK, be like Gandhi, and be like Jesus but in your own way. Faith moves mountains through the hands of men willing to shape them. Read the words of all these great men and others. Read some of the art of Kahlil Gibran a masterful writer who loved all faiths and painted with words in a beauty that astounds and inspires writer to this day. There singers and rappers who are in awe of this man. Keep writing but most importantly read others regardless of their politics, faith, and gender. Learn, listen, and teach what it is to be a better human being. By example in tolerance, hope, faith, inspiration, and love, for all. Even those you may not agree with, but who love in similar ways as you in their life. You are a very thoughtful and strong of faith man. Your words say a lot about you. Always stay true to your words and art. Even if others don't agree simply find common ground. Expand your art be eclectic, write of other things that move your heart like faith does. Don't be afraid to do something out of your comfort zone because you will find even in failure your learn and improve in your art.

[Apollos]

Powerful response! You are quite right that talk is cheap and whatever path we walk out is the one we truly believe in. I appreciate your encouragements for me to grow & learn. My greatest desire in life is to have an authentic relationship with the God who created me. Every human being has an aspect of His nature, a story to tell, and a life to be encouraged & challenged by. What a robbery of my soul it would be to deny myself what others have to offer.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

We write what we know, and what we are familiar with my friend. As long as your words come from a place of truth they will find a home in someone's heart. I am still a student even at 55 I continue to grow. It is my belief I will continue to do so even in my dying days. Whatever brings you peace and closer to your better humanity I encourage you to cling to it and live it. They will feed you the words you need to establish your art and inspire you to further heights. But do not stay focused on a single thing because then you lose sight of all the beauty that surrounds you and can inspire you as well. Love is in many things and what defines that higher consciousness in your faith can only be revealed when you open your heart to everything. Keep writing my friend and also living.