Learn to discern. We all know what sin is, right? Right?! Once upon a time in the desert , the hermit Evagrius Ponticus (d. 399) set out to make a list of the most deadly ones, albeit he called them “deadly thoughts,” not “sins.” You probably know the list, even if you don’t think you do: gluttony, impurity (a.k.a. lust), avarice (a.k.a. greed), sadness (a.k.a. feeling sorry for oneself), anger or wrath, acedia or sloth, vainglory, and pride (two different things). Not quite the list you were expecting? That is because some centuries later—we’re talking ancient times here, when centuries passed like decades do now (or vice versa)—Pope Gregory the Great (d. 604) revised the list, somewhat accidentally, in his commentary on Job. Gregory had been expounding Job according to its multiple layers—yes, that’s right! Job, like Shrek, has layers! —and he happened somewhere in book XXXI to mention the “seven principle vices” to which Pride, the “Queen of Sins” gives rise: Vainglory, Envy,
The smell of rain on hot pavement does have a certain affinity that I enjoy on a personal level. I enjoy the look, the sounds of various tires make on the road, the clearing of the clouds and the Sun peeking through. It all adds up. Ways I can't quite explain.
ReplyDeletethanks
I like this one best, of your poems so far. I think the second to last line would be stronger if it read "Today I will stay inside". Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteBadger
Yes, good suggestion: "will" sounds more rainlike than "can."
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