Well put, Joe. I wonder the same about struggles, priorites that seem to have a life of their own. And Saul (Paul) was a man of grit and grace, and talk about hard times, even he had trouble keeping the correct end up. Enjoyed these ponderings. Thanks.

...joe, joe, joe, this is creepy-good, each line is a tome, and like kneading dough, it gets on your hands...it was an Everyman perspective and you netted it bubba...this is top drawer. and to think i know you, wow. ala the meister.

This line captures the feeling of being beaten down, down: "Silence, dense, shroud-dark, and heavy". But still - still - looking up for the light, knowing somewhere in the marrow that it is there. And good old Paul is so lovable and human in his weakness. What a great way to end this lovable poem, with the apostle whom we know - not only conquered the darkness but spread the Light. Finally, the title captures the crazy, awesome mix of action, Belief, and feeling as if we could hear the lonesome distant locomotive's horn in a Jimmy Rogers song.

Interesting that Glenn gets the same feel as I do. When I see your name and the feeling of this poesie I think of these lyrics:
Hey Joe,
Ain't no hangman gonna,
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey Joe, you better run on down
Good by everybody
Hey Joe, uhh
Run on down
Faith Brother Joe. Faith!

My take on Paul's quote is that this was the legal Pharise before his Damascus experience. The poem certainly is a theme of most who wanting to do good, wanting to be better, find in themselves the inability to do, to be. Those who know Christ find their answer in Him.

Loved that last line - truth!!