Ways of Coping

We all have ways of coping with difficult things. What are you hiding in the "closet?"

Ways of coping,
or not coping,
driving us sinward
-forecasting failure-
and we fall
abruptly
into the arms
of the enemy.

Thing is...
we cannot foresee
a victorious,
enemial face,
only a clock
with no hands
that drips into
enemy territory,
the territory that
leads to eternity.
It's everyone's enemy.
Time.

So, we have ways to cope
that masquerade as self-esteem.

"Will you have a liquid lunch, Sir?
"We have a three-martini rule.
"Don't worry. It's covered."

And we cover
fear and shame and reality,
and it becomes the goal
-the purpose-
of a three-martini lunch.

Ways of coping
dangle in our midst.
Shall we turn
our faces
away in disgust?
If another held us
at arm's length
because
our ways of coping
were disdainful
in their sight,
would we still hold
the least of these
at arm's length,
and laugh at their plight?

Ways of coping
are embedded within us all.
We should, none of us,
allow for shame to
stand in victory
over our hearts.
No finger-pointing, either.
All means all.

Envy not your neighbor,
for they are coping, too.
Nor should we condemn them
because they are untrue.

God is still the father.
He is the fairest Judge.
No punishment. Don't bother.
His timely preparedness.