We Are Branches, We Are One

English - Chinese Things are seldom as they appear – if ever. This is because two factors obscure the reality. Firstly, the object of the observation seldom conducts itself outwardly as it really is within or behind the scenes. Secondly, the ability on the part of the observer is limited at most times so that he is not able to see as he ought to. And woe to the one who tries to acquire that which he desires by trying to give the appearance of either getting it or already having it. Truth in the inward parts is not only the desired end but the means to that end. “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”Child of fullness and plenty, have you any idea How empty you may be? Your stomach is filled With emptiness. You laugh Your laugh is hollow. Child of laughter and merriment have you any idea How sad you are? Your heart has a notion Of sorrow on the way. You scoff; You scoff at you know not what. Child of scorn and scoffing, have you any idea How the arrows you shoot reverse? Your own conscience tells you Of condemnation imminent. You despise That which you do not understand. Child of pride and knowledge, do you have any idea Of your ignorance and foolishness? You know it all But not as well as you are known. You pray For mercy – you have none. Child of prayer and fasting, have you any idea How full you will yet be? You are now empty On the way to fullness. You cry; Your tears are not in vain. Child of weeping and sorrow, have you any ...

We are all in need of help. But is it the noun or the verb we need?  Woe is me! How can this be? Where is that help I have sought? Nothing but wretched know-it-alls Come to disturb my thought - and my peace.   Peace? What peace? What am I saying? Who am I trying to kid? If this is peace then give me war And I shall rest and sleep and snore.   Time passed on and matters grew worse. I soon lost all that I had. My friends had gone their merry old ways, My family too was gone. My business failed, uncertainty prevailed; I slowly began to wrestle with myself For a change.   What's this? A knock? A tiny knock? I haven't had a knock since that beggar came by! I wonder who it might be? Eh? A whimper? A sniffing? A sobbing? More trouble! Add fuel to the fire! Is there no rest for the wicked?!   I opened the door and there stood a boy, One hand over his eyes and one on his knee, From where trickled blood to my doorstep! Sir! the lad cried with tear-stained face, I stumbled and fell just in front of your place. I have nobody to help me. Are you a doctor or someone to bind my wound?   Angered at first at the gory mess, I nearly chased him away. But though I knew I was only a laborer, He had flattered me with his question.   Fancy me a doctor!? “Lad, you have saved your knee,” I thought. “Oh, very well, come in, come in. We'll see what to do with your wound.”   I bound up his leg and sent him away, Not...

Wee knead ownlee two studdie a langwidge uther than Inglish and soon beegin too diskover thuh mullteatood uv inncunsistenseas inn grambarr and spelling uv Inglish.And isn't it interesting that when Esperanto is introduced with its reason, logic and organized structure, we nevertheless prefer the disorder and confusion of our own language, be it English or otherwise? Needless to say, this is not the day of peace, harmony and wun tung four awl. Rite? Write? Reight? Right?Ring rang rung, Bring brang brung,Sing sang sung, Ding dang dung! Rools Four Inglish Spelling   Wun. Teak lawjick, kut it down as aye bough and throw it inn aye slough ore aye trough. Butt that is knot enough. Too. Bee prepaired two bee confowndead, purpleckst and frustraited. Therdlee. Eckspecked two suspecked loozing yore mined. Fore. Dew knot feal thair iz eckneething rong with yoo. Phive. Fourghet triying two halve aye shoor phyre sisthame. Sicks. Thee unfourchunit groop yule joyne iph ignouring mie cownsull, and Seaven. Rimes with heven four whitch yu must hoap aund whitch iz whare yu mey think yu gow iff yu kwit inglish aund teak up sum uther langwidge.   Lethbridge, 1984, 85