Presbyterianism

 
Presbyterianism
 
(My misanthropologic cont.)
 
Presbyter literally means old guy: geezer,
elder, walking on 3 legs, lame, impotent
(beyond possibility)
 
"Age is no better, hardly so well,
 qualified for an instructor as youth,
for it has not profited so much as it
has lost.”
 
One may almost doubt if the wisest
man has learned anything of absolute
value by living. "
 
This is the youth, remember, who claimed
the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.
 
What do you think?  I'm asking.
 
The power of negative thinking is generally
occluded by what we prefer as the power
of positive thinking.
 
Pity. . 
                   
                 PLACE
 
This place was founded by the board of
Presbyterian Missions to provide a high
school education & manners of being for
Appalachian boys.
 
My mother bundled clothing in the 40’s
to ship south to Swannanoa—which action
eventually unfolded consequence like some
butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil: necessary
if not sufficient because why I’m. being here
now presbyterian-ly trying to tweak & tickle
small tornadoes across the curriculum to maybe
provoke if not sustain some cerebral if not
affective argument.
 
Eldering—what the Quakers call it.
 
Wise-guys with beards advising younger
members: get closer to the program—if
not with it.  Friends Whisperers.
 
Ever watch any tournament tennis player dancing
the back-court waiting for service?  What argument-
across-the-curriculum would be like if we ever
did it.
 
Ongoing hop & shuffle,  thighs, calves, ankles,
toes,  heels up in the air, foot-work pedagogerie
& ready for game.  
 
Academics needn’t be just your subject-object
matter, routine process, individual
accomplishment no child left a
behind any more..   
 
Can you put it in play? Play and be played?
School and be schooled?  No?  Pity.
 
I’m telling you. 
Listen. to your old man.
Age before beauty crying out loud
you pretty young things. Good looks
& wellness, jogging and bottle water,
vegan-ism and yoga won’t get you by
forever &  you’ll be a presbyter like
me in two shakes of a lambs tail, 
you'll see.   
 
xxxooo, Presbyter