David was schooling

David, as still a boy, was schooling:

                             he was slinging and singing

          – someday he’d be a soldier and a Psalmist. -eab

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Donald W Stump

Let a big drift so softly sift

Its way between the streets.

Let rain come down, all over town,

In blowing, whited sheets.

Let sleet and hail not one time fail

To come when they desired.

Why so adjure the weather?

I’m a postman that’s retired. ^[1]

 

May Dobermans make lanes their runs

And jump on every man.

May German sheps plague the back steps

Of white and blue marked vans.

May Saint Bernards and Great Danes charge

The walker most admired,

Cause I’m no longer out there –

I’m a postman that’s retired.

 

“I didn’t get my first class yet.”

“But I don’t know their zip.”

“Of course, I’m mad, I know it had

A…a stamp.”  Oh loud lip!

“You’re late again; it’s a big sin

This wage at which you’re hired!”

Their gripes I’ll no more endure –

Tell the next man.  I’m retired.

 

Here comes the first, with its date cursed

By mailings once a month.

Here comes junk mail, the annual sale,

Bulk printings by the “tonth.”

And the season with the reason,

To dislike cards inspired.

Ah, it bothers me not;

Not this Christmas, I’ve just retired. -eab 11/24/85  

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John Knox – death, Nov. 24, 1572

For those who may not know Knox, he was a powerful Presbyterian Minister who opposed Queen Mary and the system she represented.  With that opposition in mind the following prayer is an insight into his soul.

“Illuminate the heart of our Sovereign Lady Queen Mary with pregnant gifts of the Holy Ghost, and influence the hearts of her council with Thy true fear and love.”  – Wm M Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Sons, 1885), 67.

In direct conversation with this same Queen, in response to her question he said, “Yea, madame, to me it appertains no less to forewarn of such things as may hurt it [the commonwealth], if I foresee them, then it doth to any of the nobility; for both my vocation and conscience requires plainness of me.” – Wm M Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Sons, 1885), 171.

Some knew the possible danger he was in to which he replied, “As for the fear of danger that may come to me let no man be solicitious, for my life is in the custody of Him whose glory I seek, and therefore I cannot so fear their boast or tyranny that I cease from doing my duty, when of His mercy He offereth me the occasion.” – Wm M Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Sons, 1885), 124.

On another occastion when some questioned his speaking as he did; he replied, “I am in the place where I am demanded of my consiecne to speak the truth; and therefore the truth I will speak; impugn it who so list.”  – Wm M Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Sons, 1885), 176.

After hearing of the St. Bartholomew Day massacre he had an opportunity to address Le Croc, the French ambassador, “Go tell your master that sentence is pronounced against him; that the Divine vengeance shall never depart from him or from his house, except they repent…”    – Wm M Taylor, John Knox, (NY: A C Armstrong & Sons, 1885), 196.

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