Posted in Poetry

Frogs of Bliss

Posted on by jillys2016

I speak not politically, but socially.  Bjorn hosts dVerse tonight where we write Quadrilles with the word Bliss.  I was really in a Haiku mood, but that’s a tough challenge at 44 words!  

Why speak of honor
when there is none?

The stone drops from the hand
that feeds
bounces once
is swallowed
willingly

Who among you would?

What Bradbury saw
burns us
we feel
nothing of the scorch

Frogs of bliss
mind the heat, ya’ hear?

© Jilly  All Rights Reserved

Author:

A wild soul writing poetry.

41 thoughts on “Frogs of Bliss”

    1. In the social context and in the workplace, we are to swallow whatever is handed us, even though leaders (social/bosses/organizations) spout honor. We are told ‘it is a pleasure to burn.’ That single line – who among you – is a Biblical reference. Who among you would give your child a stone if he asks for bread? Hope this helps.

      Like

      Reply

      2. Now see, I was thinking of the scripture that says, “Who among you would cast the first stone?” (And I’m not even remembering/quoting it right! But that’s what I was thinking of … to stone or not to stone.) Or there’s Isaiah 50:10.

        Anyway, I was thinking about how you can’t really be a good parent at home if you aren’t a good parent to the masses. To please the Lord, you cannot care for, love, and feed your children at home and then treat the rest of the world with something other than compassion. It just isn’t right.

        I’m sure this isn’t quite what you meant, but I was imagining that if I was holding a stone, intending to hurt someone, then dropped it, two things could happen: if I were sincere in the repentance, it would stay a stone and just fall; but if I were not sincere, if it was just a game, then it might turn into a plaything and bounce right back to me — a dose of my own medicine, so to speak. It has to do with the true condition of the heart.

        So then “frogs of bliss” would be pleasure seekers, self-serving, self-preserving. They might not realize that that sort of mentality is its own pot of hot water. And the worst part is, they turned on the heat themselves. So the warning is basically to stop killing your own soul by being so damn self-centered.

        That’s the message your poem sent me, at least. I’m probably way off for you, but right on for me.

        Like

  7. The story of Jesus drawing a line in the sand between him and the adulterous woman to separate them from the hypocrites with stones in their hands is one of my favorite stories from the bible. And the thought of a mother feeding her children yet ready to stone anyone that does not have the same philosophy as she is chilling. Good work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Probably not a line in the sand, but the names of those accusing religious celebrities, who weren’t unfamiliar with Jeremiah 17:13, i.e. “they that depart from [the Lord] shall be written in the earth”. 😉

      Like

      Reply

      1. Of course that is also one theory. I like both and am not tied to any one definition. thank you for your elucidation. I am well acquainted with the Christian bible in several different translations including reading it in the original Hebrew and Greek. When He writes, Jesus is mirroring God using his finger to write on the books of the law. So there are three theories on this – he was separating himself and the woman from the hypocritical Pharisees, he “might” be writing out the client list or, He is writing the law as given to us by God to Moses. The second theory is the least credible although it is popular.

        Like

      3. Sorry about the impression this made, Toni sensei. It’s a random interjection, driven by pure curiosity of what was written in the sand. Well, the only translation with which I’m familiar, not even quite passably, is a dated Chinese version; so, what do I know anyway? I simply find it exciting to contemplate on what was written in the sand, by this embodiment of the so-called new covenant, to have turned the troublemakers away … The segregation by a line? The condemnation through the law? Or perhaps an anointed lecturing of some sort? Either way, this is Jilly’s turf, and that’s all I have to say on the remark — lest she start to stone me or have my name blacklisted in the sand! So … sorry again, and thank you for taking your time to share your sagely thoughts. Adieu, Madam. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      4. What is most interesting to me is that the biblical reference I was making was to a different verse altogether. Scroll down in my post comments to the dialog with our good friend Qbit. With regards to your speculations on the sand, your thoughts are shared by many, so you are spot on. Love this line of discussion, Colin! You are one of my favorite intellectuals.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, Jilly. Your big heart is epic. 😉 Christy is doing terrific, apart from too much midnight partying (the bring-your-own-bottle sort). Wifey is recovering well, albeit the lack of sleep. Well, the wee-hour suckling can be blissful moments, until I start to worry about the kids’ future — the reason your stone/bread/Bradbury allusion speaks volume to me. You’re in education, right? Was it the new semester of challenges that prompted you the above thoughts? How are things, by the way?

        Like

  13. The Bradbury reference is a caught and the idea of burning books. It wouldn’t surprise me if the day ever came when the next future president would make it effective law to burn all books that make us humans think and revolt. Sort of like the movie ‘Equilibrium’.

    The Quadrille poem is amazing and you crafted a punch of a poem. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Your ending gives me an image of a person dying happily due to ignorance. Although, that may be the better option than being accountable for knowledge that was not used well. 😱Oh well. My silly thought. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. No, that’s exactly right! The story goes that a frog put into a kettle of cool water will not realize that the heat is being slowly turned up and will boil to death rather than jump out. Is it a better option? hmmm – food for thought, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Happy to the end, never having to be troubled, I say those are two points right there in favor of the frog. Not getting the princess – 10 points against it. 😉 just being silly now.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Even though I am fairly ignorant of the Bible and Farenheit 451 (My last readings of both being 25 years ago), I still got the frog imagery and I pictured the eater of the stone as a frog, even though the frog is us. In other words I loved your vivid imagery. I also liked thinking about the mix of biblical and colloquial diction and what that might be saying about the great variety of voices vying for our ear.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. First and foremost….apologies for the verrrrry late reading! We had grandkids with us Sunday through yesterday so I am late to the party but here. I must admit, I know close to nothing about the Bible — well, I do know some passages and the idea “cast not the first stone” is familiar to me. I’m glad for your commentary and reading all the comments above. Went back and read it twice more and now appreciate the brilliance of your subtleties here….
    I also think of frogs blitely leaping from lily pad to lily pad, unawares of the dangers that lurk around them….
    would that we not cast the first stone and always be aware of the water as the heat turns up!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment