Never speak sharply to an older man, but plead with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to much-loved brothers. Treat the older women as mothers, and the girls as your sisters, thinking only pure thoughts about them. The church should take loving care of women whose husbands have died if they don’t have anyone else to help them. But if they have children or grandchildren, these are the ones who should take the responsibility, for kindness should begin at home, supporting needy parents. This is something that pleases God very much. The church should care for widows who are poor and alone in the world if they are looking to God for his help and spending much time in prayer; … But anyone who won’t care for his own relatives when they need help, especially those living in his own family, has no right to say he is a Christian. Such a person is worse than the heathen. ~ 1 Timothy 5:1-5, 8; TLB

Prufrock has nothing on me.
I’m measuring out my memory
In a teaspoon—pure misery.

Rigby and her name buried, lonely.
Father McKenzie ostensibly, only
Mourner—conveys my worry.

Orphaned Pip’s unholy deterioration
Compromised his great expectation.
My teaser—loneliness’ frustration.

Lottery winner gets a public stoning.
Tess’ family leading pack, droning
On as she protests—apes my morning.

Oiler Billie’s swim to solid ground
Shows isolation wore him down;
Doomed by ad hoc fatigue—I too drown.

The world is full of evil neighbors
Refusing to mend walls, yet labor
In support of—hatred’s sick savor.

Eventually the bell’s toll will deafen
Everyone; worst toll is Armageddon.
Take heed—let no man become an island.

Loneliness and isolation shouldn’t be
Lifestyles that become another Dead Sea
Full of savorless salt—which defines humanity.

~ January 4, 2016