“Power-Play” [Reflection On James K. Van Fleet’s 1984 Book, Lifetime Conversation Guide – in General] [Spanish Series Also]
When first I embarked on my journey
Of Synergy Spanish, the shift
From first-person-present to second,
Put me face to face with a rift.I could not proceed to the second
Of five levels, stages, or ways,
Of talking as I ventured outward –
With others I found power-plays –For words I don’t say as Cree speaker
(Or thinker in Creenglish at least),
Emerged in the one-on-one chatter,
To say such would make me a beast.Some people just said I was crazy –
“It’s all in your mind – move ahead”
I didn’t, but asked You, Lord Jesus,
What I should do now – like, instead.Your answer helped me ask the question,
“Who language belongs to, at base?”
You answered, “They’re Mine for Me chatting
With you now regardless of place.”I saw we have taken possession
Of language as tool for our use;
We use it to beat out our neighbor
Pursuing each goal that we choose.You said, “Basic dyad there, Stuey,
Is Me, when I’m talking with you;
I use words to help you with living;
Your use let’s you do what I do.“That book, is perversion of glory;
It’s not how I speak with each one;
For Kingdom-layer-life has perspective,
From which honest dialogue’s done.It’s honest; direct; I speak clearly;
No need to make gentle My words;
My use of a story’s quite different –
For indirect speech now is fun.“I’m “truth”, so like his observation
(“You’re serious all of the time),
The form which I used doesn’t matter –,
That “Speaking for power” is not mine.“He’s ‘Sun Tzu’ as many imagine
As people down there on the soil,
Applied to the speech-arts for glory,
To draw cash and power without toil.“Just like ‘Five balloons’ in Wayne’s model –
The media’s used to draw cash
And power – then play God – religion
For most, needs them both, for that task.”Okay, Lord, I thank You for insight –
‘A manual fit for the task’
The play-book the evil one’s playing,
To gather up power and cash.Thanks Lord for this.
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