Lawrence
Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
“A
Republic, Madam, if You Can Keep It”
-attributed to Ben Frankling and many others
Americans, please take time for
reflection -
While watching the rioting we might
take note
That in the last presidential
election
35% of the people did not bother to
vote
How Many People Didn’t Vote in the
2024 Election? | National News | U.S. News
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Where We Grew Up is not Where We Are
Our fathers strong, home from Europe and the Pacific
Worked confidently at building a peaceful America
Lean, weathered, war-weary men in chambray shirts
Who sweated to make their crops and cattle grow
But the feed store shut up shop in the 60s
The gas station pushes eight-liners and vapes
The old picture show where John Wayne rode
Is now a missionary Christian fellowship or something
The drugstore with the best comic books burned long ago
Once-busy sidewalks are mostly weeds and grass
Our favorite rocker on the A.M. radio
Has long since been Forest Lawned in bronze
Our fathers are buried, and on the palantir
A man in an SS coat orders us to report each other
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for
the Colonial Office
LogoSophia
Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Antibiotic-Go-‘Round
The dermatologist cut away part of
my ear
Truth!
The maxillo-facial surgeon cut out
my impacted
Tooth!
They negotiate now which antibiotic
to use
To void the chances of infection or
bruise
“Gentlemen,” I say,
“Weigh each certainty against a
doubt
But both the original ear and tooth
are out!”
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Hecho en China
New hiking shoes from Wal-Mart say what?
They say, “Cubierta de Cuero y Sintetico”
Does that mean
“Made by Prisoner X7741?”
Or
“Made of Prisoner X7741?”
Lawrence Hall
mhall46184@aol.com
January – Soup and Peace for All
As the winter winds flail, soup on the stove
Blessing the kitchen with all its summery scents
An all-morning bouquet of comfort and peace
Simmering against the grey and dreary cold
Sleet rattles against the window panes
Sharp ice metastasizes on the skeletal trees
But inside we ladle up happiness and love
With Momma’s prayers over each comforting bowl
Veggies and beef – could I have a little more, please?
As the old gag goes, visualize whirled peas!
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
It’s All Anne Frank’s Fault
Imagine escaping the brick-pits of Goshen
Trekking the deserts with Joshua and Moses
Learning the Commandments, feeding on Mannah
Crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land
Imagine chanting the Psalms, learning from Isaiah
Teaching Proverbs and Wisdom to your children
Telling the ancient stories while working the fields
Braving the adventures God has given us
Imagine stepping outside after Mass
After sharing the body and blood of the Christ
And complaining that all the world’s problems
Are caused by “th’ Jews”
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Thank
You for Your Attention to This Matter
Both sides waving American flags
Bodies in the streets like bundles
of rags
