The Poetry of R.E. Slater: 08/01/2014

"Autobiographies of great nations are written in three manuscripts – a book of deeds, a book of words, and a book of art. Of the three, I would choose the latter as truest testimony." - Sir Kenneth Smith, Great Civilisations

"I must write each day without fail, not so much for the success of the work, as in order not to get out of my routine." - Leo Tolstoy

I have never believed that one should wait until one is inspired because I think the pleasures of not writing are so great that if you ever start indulging them you will never write again. - John Updike

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations." - Lawrence Ferlinghetti

[Note - If any article requires updating or correction please notate this in the comment section. Thank you. - res]

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

R.E. Slater - To the Newlyweds (a poem)

To The Newlyweds
by R.E. Slater

Life, doesn’t it go by in a blink?

It starts off new and grows old too quickly,

and soon your family has grown up…

Daughters and sons meet new friends,

play, go to school, begin to date,

Then one day meet that real serious boy or girl –

and you know as a parent that’s the one you’ve been praying for.

Soon, an engagement, a marriage,

perhaps small children to tend,

by parents who never, never quit loving their children,

No matter the ups-and-downs, the go-arounds, the in-betweens,

such is the life of a parent blessed,

worn with care, broken of heart,

ceaseless in prayer for a beloved son or daughter.

So then, __ (insert names)_________,
May your marriage be blessed as a ...

Zenith Yielding eXuberance in

Vicissitudes Ushering Tenacity’s Spiritedness,

Resolve, and Quieted Patience,

Ordaining Nurture, Mirth, and Laughter,

in a Jealousy Imbuing Humility, Goodness, Felicity,

Divining a Charity Boundlessly Abundant.

Let it be an Alphabet Blessed in Charity’s Devotion,

Embracing Fullness, Grace, and good Humor,

Instilling Joy, Kindness, and Love

Measuring the Other’s Psalm of Quickened Resilience,

as Sonnets to Unvanquished Verse eXuding

Youthful Zeals forever, and ever, and always.

Amen and Amen.

- R.E. Slater

July 26, 29, 2014
*In homage to a beloved pastor, Louis Paul Lehman, whose
silver-tongued oratory reached for the heavens in stylistic flourish

@copyright R.E. Slater Publications

A Wedding Prayer

by R.E. Slater

Let us pray,

“Bless this marriage O' Lord. May it be a union of peace and forgiveness, charity and love, respect, and hope, and mercy. May you, O' God, be their head and heart, their body and soul, forming a oneness united from two. May this newly-wed husband and wife honor you in all that they say and do. And may you give to them the strength to persevere against sin and temptation, brokenness and harm. May Thy tender care and protection guide them through such ills and may Jesus be their joy, their guidance, their health and grace. May this beloved couple each be a profound blessing to you and to those whom they meet, minister to, and serve, even as they have been profound blessings to their parents, family, and friends. Thank you for these blessings and for this day of celebration. Amen”

- R.E. Slater

June 30, 2014

@copyright R.E. Slater Publications

Friday, August 1, 2014

R.E. Slater - Twenty-Three (a poem)

Tennessee & Harley [photo by EEB Slater]

Twenty-Three

by R.E. Slater

Twenty-three is an age

where all things are possible –

when youth’s vigor is strong and clear –

when love is never met by a why or a what –

But by a who and a wish to find a mindedness

patient and true –

vast and deep –

completing and complete –

Even so, is youth’s infinities numbered in its

sonnets and verse –

resplendence in love –

grace and good hope –

May peace, love, and happiness be ever yours –