“The Expat Lifestyle And TCK's” [Spanish Jerusalem BibleSeries - Job sub-series - # 1:1-5]

There is a role, I’ve come to see,
For photo-illustrations – we
Adhere to poetry and yarns
Inside our heads which do great harm –

Or can, at least, but we can’t stop
These images which rise and walk
The pages read, and ways of mind;
That’s true, I hunch for humankind.

Take Middle Ages – art’s a clue –
Depictions of the Scripture’s view
Are done in local context, when
Their clothes, and houses, customs, blend –

With what they take out of the text –
That’s what they picture – it’s the best
That they can do, held with loose hands
As readers do in every land).

We are no better here, today –
We let the imaginations play
Among the scenes the text depicts
As context, setting, which can fit –

In ways that bridge our world to theirs;
Beyond that purpose, no one cares –
It’s not important – except here –
The writer’s context makes that clear.

Like, “Play within a play” from Will –
Just by itself it evening fills
With entertainment – but for some
It chucks their chin, create some fun.

So who would guess the context here?
Sufficient layers, seen to be clear
To those outside the context-layer,
Quite satisfies their viewpoint there.

But what if “Exile” or “Return”
Made backdrop – then new lesson’s learned
About what’s really up in this –
“Expatriates are being kissed”.

And that’s what photos augment well,
With “Echoes” speaking into hell
Of border-crossing, making out
Quite well (at first) without a doubt.

Disruptions to relationships
Transpire as we embark on ships,
Or take our camel-journeyed ways
To elsewhere; spend remaining days.

Relationships with God and man
Disrupted are – at least they can
Be founded on such social storms –
Of this (through author), God now warns –

Us to beware of what’s afoot –
God cautions us to take a look
At what transpires within this yarn,
And be on guard lest such-like harm –

Comes down upon our heads this way;
Evasive action saves the day,
But is quite tough, we learn within –
With that in mind, let’s yarn begin.

Thanks Lord for this.

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