Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
A Day of Gentle Rain after a Dry Spell
It is a cliché
For us to say
That rain is like a baptism, a gift of healing
It is a cliché
But still we say
This rain is like a baptism, a gift of healing
Lawrence
Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
When the Death Penalty is Outsourced
to Private Corporations
“We’re re-structuring, so may God have mercy on your soul.”
“Thank you for your contributions to making our prison great
again.”
“Going forward we’re looking for more technology.”
“You’ve been a great team player. You will be missed.”
“We’re investing in new production models”
“Our extended worker family is sure going to miss you.”
“We’re streamlining our operations.”
“You’ll be proud to know that your death chamber
- because, yes, it is your community death chamber -
Is positioned with great love and respect
On First Nations land repurposed for your spiritual experience.”
“We need a more agile workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs.”
“As part of our matrix of inclusivity
We’re processing more women, minorities,
And LGBTQ than ever before.”
“To lower our carbon footprint we’re presenting you
With an artisanal, hand-woven noose
Crafted from all-natural recycled fibers.”
“We’re accelerating into a new era of growth.”
“We know you will be impacted by 2,000 volts,
But our separation package is an industry best.”
“Our watchwords are compassion and imagination.”
“If you want a tranquilizer before the lethal drip
That cost will be deducted from your family’s survivor package.”
“Our sensitive and inclusive personnel officers
And transition specialists will walk with you
Every step of the way along the Green Mile
As you journey to your bright new future.”
“Oh…before you go…this just in from the personnel office –
They can arrange lateral transfers to I.C.E.
If you’re interested…
You’re not…?
I
understand.”
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the
Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Doggie-Kisses
For all our little domestic carnivorous quadrupeds
“Love anything, even a small animal, and your heart will
surely be broken.”
-C. S. Lewis
Her life is short, her nose is
long
A dachshund’s bark is a merry
song!
Her life is short, her body is
long
And how her little paws pad
along!
Her life is short, her ears are
long
Her love is a happy ping to your
pong
Her life is short, her tail is
long
Her eyes are big, her heart is strong
Her life is short
But the memories –
O, the memories are long!
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Poems Three Times Each Day
For the singers of songs and tellers of truth on HP
From ideas by Jackie and Nat
Most creatives frame each day with a liturgy
The Hours for some, Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv for others
The musician gives glory through pulsing air
An artist with camel-hair brush blesses a canvas
A poem is a prayer, a Temple-offering of love
A Sh’ma, an Ave, the Eight-Fold Path
A chaplet of beads bidding welcome to all
A voice proclaiming Truth in the desert
Most creatives frame each day with a liturgy -
Thank you, dear friends, for sharing yours with me
Lawrence
Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
How Old Are You?
A question:
If you did not know how old you are
How old, then, would you say you are?
An answer:
I will go in to the altar of God.
To God who giveth joy to my youth.
And there you are
“How old…” – many attributions
“To God…” -Missale Romanum, Baronius
Press, 2008
Lawrence Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's Journal of Life, Literature and Love
For Those Who Long for the President’s Firing Squads
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague th’ inventor.
-Macbeth I.vii.8-10
Although you may jeer a condemned man today
And laugh as he’s dragged to that berm and wall
The evil that breaks his body will turn your way
You too will hear the Fatal Bellman’s call
The verdict sustained, the appeals laughed off
Poorly trained riflemen will unlock your door
As they drag you away they will scorn and scoff
If they notice you at all – ‘tis their daily chore
You’ll scream into the void your vain last plea:
“I didn’t mean for this to happen to ME!”
Lawrence
Hall
Dispatches for the Colonial Office
LogoSophia Magazine – A Pilgrim's
Journal of Life, Literature and Love
Breaking News: Shots Not Fired
How lovely it would be to hear someone say
“A few minutes ago in Washington
Several incidents of love rang out.”
