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Phil Bratcher’s Poetry: A Sampling

The Carpetbagger My soul rose defiant to say, For all the years you ignored me Or enjoyed yourself and left me out I won't oppose But that by process of religion You have decided what I am How I'll behave and Even where I'm going Is an insult I cannot bear

Non-Ego The soul is The eternally objective mind Shunning both Criticism and admiration While remaining gracious And unimaginably kind To those of us Who have neglected it exists

All That Matters The soul is not The romantic invention Of writers and artists In a world of vague themes The pursuance of elusive dreams The soul is who we are Quite simply All that matters

By Any Other Name With all its Severity and duties I did not know Mine was a playful soul Having every right to be so

Your Loneliest Your loneliest is when Love was there and left You're elbow to elbow And the room is so empty But of course we know It isn't the room at all

Reconciliation The differences I once had By comparison Are so tiny Now

C'est la Guerre As souls first We surrendered An awesome worth To philosophers Who do not make love We lived life as spectators Not realizing As our soldier selves We were worth a war

Opportune Wise is the man Who thinks to ask While his soul is here -- What is your task? We ponder souls departed Steeped in mystery Why not ask While you have the chance -- What do you plan to be?

If It Had Been A Snake If you view a human You witness eternity Don't wait till he dies To unfold the mystery Call upon the immortal Would be my suggestion While the immortal is in you Because just such a question Might yield a clue

Reverend Phil Bratcher has been a counselor in private practice for over 10 years. Now in his 25th year of ministry, Reverend Bratcher has worked mostly as a therapist and spiritual counselor specializing in spiritual direction, the relief of depression, life strategies and career planning, long-term illness and relationship issues for couples. He is also trained in The Work of Byron Katie, teaching individuals and facilitating groups in the faith community and his community at large. Often a featured speaker, Reverend Bratcher is a volunteer chaplain for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Upstate Coordinator for the South Carolina Global Warming Campaign for the Christian Action Council in Columbia, South Carolina, and is past Secretary to the Executive Board for Greenville Faith Communities United which seeks social justice and interfaith understanding. Reverend Bratcher makes his home in Greenville, SC, where he is a member of the Metropolitan Community Church and is their interfaith representative to GFCU and past chair of their outreach and singles committees. E-mail Phil at Peacefulstar@msn.com. _________________________________ Want to leave a comment about Phil’s poems? Please visit our Message Board or write Ye Editor at bethjacks@hotmail.com. _________________________________ Back to USADEEPSOUTH - I index Back to USADEEPSOUTH - II index