The Grand Artisan

God … the ultimate Artist
The supreme Scientist
The intimate presence within
and throughout this existence
Regenesis … poetry in motion
Is she masculine
or is he feminine?
Is the answer
beyond our understanding?
Are we just avatars
in a game of actual reality
Is this life
an artistic documentary
viewed through
all the agony
and the ecstasy
the triumph and the tragedy?
Have we truly
been given a free hand
by the Artisan Grand
upon the canvas of eternity?

Or are we just
rats in a laboratory?
A collection of quarks
traversing the dark?
Mere particles within
the part and parcel
of subatomic intricacy?
An infinitesimal spark
in a dimension mechanical?
Speaking of relativity
where is the power and the glory?
A perpetual quantum
crunching the numbers
in some mindless continuum
Is that the universal story?

“The starry host but a breath
of His mouth. Stars forming,
and not a one missing!
Led forth and called by name.”

Is life but the echo
of a big bang smoke ring?
Something so bright
from the darkness of nothing?
Is the biodiversity
surrounding you and me
a key to the mystery?
Can a Theory of Everything
actually tell me a thing?
Am I all tied up in knots
by a Theory of String?
Did a “God Particle”
give existence it’s zing
the universe it’s substance
or is it that Dark Matter
mysteriously gone missing?

Dimensions within
merrily dancing
upon the head of a pin
Am I by design
an accidental fundamentalist?
A partaker in creation?
Or just a bewildered tourist?
Are we all
painting pictures in time?
Drawing a fine line
by celestial design?
Or are we committing
by not admitting …
to the graffiti of all crime?

The Universe unfolding
Searching for meaning
with equations empty
and beguiling
A series of numbers
adding up to zero
Yet all of nature reveals
there is a hand
conducting the band
… the Supernatural Hero
who will deal with yesterday
and heal all tomorrow

Sifting the ether
for that purity of essence
Woefully mislaid
an absence of innocence
The Consciousness Human
wonderfully made
yet a dim reflection
from a mirror broken

The Master Craftsman
hand unseen
dispersing
dispensing
expressing
calling … as behind a curtain
Yet known
in the very depths of our being

“We are such stuff
as dreams are made of.”

My theory of everything
starts with …

… In the beginning

God created a Universe

of natural law

and then used natural law

to create every material thing

and saw that it was very good

It was all so … super natural

… with visions of angels
singing songs
of celestial love
Supernatural the high
like a cool hand
in a warm glove
Like a dove estatic
transmitting love eclectic
from Heaven above
Garlands and rose petals
descending
with the rising
the overcoming
the growing
of a passion desiring
Gracious beauty abounding
All in all
and everything
in the midst of the One
holding together all things

Out weighing gravity
Outpacing relativity
Like a singer of soul
riding the sweeps
from the highest of highs
to the deepest of depths
In three-quarter time
playing for keeps

Flowing through
the word poetic
an electric prismatic
the joyful ecstatic
buzzing with angelic static
as lightening sings
in spiralling rings
Soul Salvation
Spiritual the restoration
heaven sent
revving up the revelation
of the infinitely relevant
(Not the pulling of strings)

The whirlpool galaxies
all in a spin
circling holes of nothing
and everything
as stars keep recycling
The fullness of this Universe
beyond all human imagings
This material realm vibrates
in anticipation
Just over the event horizon
a fanfare of celebration
for the Author of Creation

The Most Senior Physicist
in who’s grasp lies the future
the past
and all that exists
That celestial loving presence
of patient forbearance
. . . in pursuit of you
Pursue what is true
Not the celebrity physicist
and evangelizing atheist
who puts on a lab coat
and mysteriously
becomes an expert theologist
(like glimpsing a Zoo
makes you a Zoologist?!)
who lectures and conjectures
puffed up like a puffer fish
with a shaking fist
trying to negate positivity
in a petri dish of hostility
Freedom of speech? … Yes!
But please do not preach
on things way beyond
your microscopic reach
Biology
astronomy
and theology … all in a twist!

Trapped In a vortex
at the sharp edge of existence
Always standing in line
behind the sentinels aligned
at the memorial to war
Yet the whisper of a trace
from the Prince of Peace
The scent of a taste
of things only hoped for
Quiet lives
always longing for more
Unanswered questions
big and small
written on desperate faces
screaming for an open door
Perplexed in confusion
Is faith in big love
just a romantic delusion?

Amid strung out dimensions
ever expanding
a precious pearl is forming
Star bright
love shining
and overflowing
with a countenance glowing
Faith sustaining
. . . that Kingdom within

The universe
is but a fuse
held in the palm
of a Master Technician
In a world
of humanoid dysfunction
the big picture
soon to be surfacing
for those with eyes looking
A circuit breaker coming
with the truth being told
All pain and suffering
will be rendered
null and void

Witnessing lives of
loud and proud desperation
citizens of Rebel Nation
begin a riot of confrontation
Lives of Spirit filled meditation
interfacing with
the Infra Structuralist
(better know as Christ Jesus)
Forever interlacing the embracing
with Whom love is a must
Upon the carousel of revelation
the inspiration
of God given imagination
Does the Artist do it
. . . for recreation?

Nuclear baby booming
war generationals
and seminal millennials
did you see the world dissolving
bubbling as in a boiling cauldron?
But highly valued is your
socially engineered opinion!
Cutting back
the copious consumption
quitting the tribal division
and getting back
to the organic garden
with hope – faith – and love
out worked with action
are true keys
to a planetary restoration

Struggling through
the barbed wire
of recrimination
cold and hungry
skyclad
and on the run
throughout the endless
friendless night
Foreign the invasion
ethnic the cleansing
starvation as a weapon
indiscriminate the killing
in the unleashing
of the deepest spite
in a place of misdirection
For the love of God
pleading
and weeping
seeking the morning’s light
In a strange land
of sinking sand
finding a rock solid friend
Becoming a whole new creation
like a jumpstart to the heart
I’m just beginning to understand
by the works of God’s hand
the smallest strand of a plan
designed with love
by the Artisan most grand

Art … not for art sake
In the big scheme of things
there’s too much at stake
True creativity
flows from a place of intimacy
with the passion and the glory
of Holy Divinity . . . and
with the friends that you make

~ by David B. Redpath © 2017-22

Artworks;
‘L’Annuncio’ (The Trinity)
~ by Salvador Dali

‘Salvador Dali painting
The Face of War … and David’ 😎
~ by Multiple Michael ©2022

‘Supernatural David’
~ by Multiple Michael © 2022

img-0673-01656364078.jpeg

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Hidden Treasure . . .
found in the bowels of the Vatican.

screenshot_2017-11-15-19-52-20-01-011474693029.jpeg

Gala ascending … a scene from
Salvador Dali’s bedroom ceiling.

Photography:
David & Linda redpath © 2017-2022

“Art is the highest form of hope.”
~Gerhard Richter

184 thoughts on “The Grand Artisan”

    1. “I know nothing.” ~ Plato
      When all seems Greek to me
      …. I’m with him 🤔
      But perhaps forgetting all
      that we think that we know
      is the beginning of wisdom?
      Thanks Bojana for taking a
      peek in my petri dish 😎

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    2. Agree 👏 Bulk of humanity are rats in a Rat Race. But I know many (though a very very small percentage) who quit the race and are leading blessed lives.
      The day we know Theory of Everything we will become The Great Artist 😊🙏
      For me ; I am perfectly happy to accept that : I don’t know 🤷‍♂️

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. That reminds me of a song, Ashok.

        “While one who sings
        with his tongue on fire
        Gargles in the rat race choir
        Bent out of shape
        from society’s pliers
        Cares not to come up any higher
        But rather get you down
        in the hole that he’s in”
        ~ Bob Dylan

        Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s good to take a risk every now and then! All of us should ask ourselves these questions about our existence. I think it will be a very interesting and impassioned comment section.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. David
    You’ve done it again
    You let your poetic genius shine
    The Grand Artisan
    When I consider the heavens, the work of his fingers, the moon and the stars, which he has flung into existence in such a poetic way, I know he is the greatest poet of all time
    We his rats yes
    In an experiment
    That the Grand Artisan holds the strings
    Such a lovely post:)🌺

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. I prefer to identify as a guinea pig 😎
      Yes, the results of much experimentation
      are not yet in … but the light is dawning.
      Thank you Stella for your words of positivity.

      Love is but a song to sing
      Fear’s the way we die
      You can make the mountains ring
      Or make the angels cry
      Though the bird is on the wing
      And you may not know why

      Some may come and some may go
      We shall surely pass
      When the one that left us here
      Returns for us at last
      We are but a moment’s sunlight
      Fading in the grass

      Come on people now
      Smile on your brother
      Everybody get together
      Try to love one another
      Right now

      ~ The Youngbloods

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I love that song and have heard it many times but seeing the lyrics there made me see it different. Such wonderful lyrics and thank for sharing! I like when you share lyrics. I’ll have that one in my head in my sleep lol!:)

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Wow…as a writer, I know how difficult it is to write a long poem, let alone one that is filled with science, religion, and incredible metaphors! My goodness…your writing just leaves me in awe. But I agree with this poem 100%, the Supreme Creator is far more than what the mind of man can contemplate. If only all people revered and respected Him that way, this world would be a far different place. Thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Greatly appreciated, Melissa 🙏
      Yes, the Creator’s ways are so much higher
      than our ways. I guess that’s why his postal
      address is . . . The Most High, c/- Eternity.
      But the Spirit searches the deep things, and
      in synchronicity, we can catch a holy glimpse.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Yes, I think my head was exploding
      at the maximum speed of metaphysical
      hyperrealism, to the sounds of the
      Pointer Sisters doing a Neutron Dance.
      But always in the style of Rafael, whilst
      Gala drank tea with the Spheres 😎😱😲
      Thanks Don for viewing 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. My pagan heart and my post-modern mind recognizes a work of wonderful witness, David. For witness is everything.
    And the great Rilke has come to me for you: The Book of Hours, Prayers to a Lowly God:
    Blessings. Many such! Sarah

    And yet, though everybody seeks to get away
    from self as from a cell that hates and keeps
    its prisoner in, the greatest miracle is
    knowing that still ALL LIFE IS LIVED.
    But who does live it? Is it things
    which, like an unplayed melody,
    hang about a harp at night?
    Is it the winds that come from the sea,
    Is it the branches that give each other signs,
    Is it the flowers that release their scent,
    Is it the long and ancient alleys?
    Is it the warm-blooded animals that walk,
    Is it the birds that rise up from valleys?
    Who lives life really, Is it you, God?
    You are the Ancient One, ………..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much, Sarah,
      for that touch of Rilke 🙏

      “Spring has returned.
      The Earth is like a child
      that knows poems.”

      “The only journey is the one within.”
      ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

      “The Kingdom of God is within you.”
      ~ Jesus

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. I especially dressed as a bewildered tourist
      for my mission to penetrate the Vatican.
      It seemed to work, as the Swiss Guards
      didn’t give me a second glance 😎
      So I managed to liberate a couple of
      Dali artworks. Nobody seemed to noticed.
      Thanks Victoria for taking the chance 🙏

      Like

      Reply

  17. Time: negative Infinity to positive Infinity. Like my first grade catechism: God always was… always will be. Even back then, the mystery of it all it was a mind-blower to me. Thanx for the mind-crackings and the Salvador Dali attachments. He is one of my artistic heroes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. An interesting point, Loujen.
      Stephen Hawking was certain that the
      material universe was created from zero
      by simply dividing a big fat ‘nothing’ into
      positive and negative ‘somethings’.
      It takes pure genius to come up with that.
      Try as we might, impossible to imagine
      the infinite genius to actually do it 🤔
      Thanks for partaking in the WordPress
      communal Kool-Aid Acid Test, Loujen 😎

      Like

      Reply

  18. You are such a talent and man, my my. 😍
    And dude, your photographical presence is fabulous. Hair, sunglasses, style. Always gets me. You post awesome pictures, beautiful, incredible. Makes me wish I was there. But my favorites are hands down, the ones of you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Talkin’ Peony Crush …💋
      you’re makin’ me blush 🥴
      I was on my Sunday best🙏
      when that pic taken, as I was
      stealthily infiltratin’ the Vatican 😇
      Thanks for comin’ along in spirit 😎
      (that way you’re not an accomplice
      to any misdemeanor I get away with) 💖

      Like

      Reply

  20. Beautiful artworks and poem as always, David! You really are so talented… Your poem is full of philosophical, existential, cosmic, spiritual and religious insights, so reflective. I like the flow and the occasional rhyming that always brings me back to the Beat Poets like Ginsberg or Kerouac. These are the parts of your piece that resonate with me most strongly:
    “Is life but the echo
    of a big bang smoke ring?
    Something so bright
    from the darkness of nothing?”
    “Am I by design
    an accidental fundamentalist?
    A partaker in creation,
    or just a bewildered tourist?
    Are we all painting pictures in time?”
    “Is faith in love
    … but a delusion?” (this one connects with my recently posted poem “The Inner Voice of Delusion”. Love this connection!)
    The end of your poem is equally powerful. Yes, creativity coming from intimacy. Love this, plus God’s intervention “and with the friends that you make”. This last line made me smile. Yes, friends are the only human beings we can choose to associate with during our lifetime as we do not choose family nor bosses nor work colleagues.
    Well done, my friend, and thank you for reading and commenting my humble posts.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Marta, I truly cherish the moments
      visiting your most poetic posts.
      So glad you connected with my offering.
      For writing is all about connection,
      with the power & freedom of expression.
      And all the better if it’s a heart thing
      . . . amb molta sensació 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. A poem filled with wisdom and divine reflection, David.
    Every line seems to convey a profound thought and insight.
    An avid punster myself, I enjoyed the puns you spaced at varying intervals.
    Lines such as “Armenian starvation, the forced feeding of Turkish delight”.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Keep that one to yourself, thanks Chris.
      Recep Erdogan may not like it . . .
      so best not clash, nor Rock the Casbah 😎
      For some would have us forget
      that Ottoman attempt at genocide.
      Thanks for taking a long walk
      on the Highway Bloggery side 🙏

      Like

      Reply

  22. Amazing! Grazie!
    A beautiful poem David, love it. I see arrays of lines, all gleaming with truth, reflection and inspirations.
    I am a novice blogger and was just exploring my reader when I came across this wonderful blog.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you exceedingly … to the extremity Charlie 🙏
      I feel that perhaps I just tap the ethereal 🤔
      ethernet, and take down some shorthand ✋
      dictation. I think a poet does need to keep
      an ear👂 to the wind 🌀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  26. OH MY GOD, DAVID!!! Thank You for this. Man. You are as wonderfully relentless in Your art/expression as God is with Love. Astounding. I read this outloud and laughed and cried and once again was swept up in incredible urgency. It’s just wonderful reading You. And I had never seen some of these Dali peices. WOW. I can’t imagine how it felt standing before them. Before all this mind-blowing art. Cheers to You!!! I hope You and Your Beautiful Lady are having a blast on Your ever-unfolding romp!!! 🤗💖😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you exceedingly, Katy.
      Yes, life is a grand privilege, but heavy
      laden for the downtrodden & ravaged.
      I was looking for the Chambers of Secrets,
      hidden deep in the Vatican basement, when
      I stumbled upon the Dali paintings. Salvador
      himself had presented them to the Pope.
      But being an art critic, and a renaissance
      fan, the Pope consigned them to the deep,
      with a prayer Salvador’s soul to keep.
      Thanks for your good wishes, Katy.
      I, and my lovely lady, are getting ready to
      drive all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria
      to see what we can discover 🙏💛

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Lord have Mercy. What a gift!!! Like being handed his soul! I’m so happy Y’all stumbled upon them. Glorious surprise! I hope Ya’ll have a great, wonder filled wander and look forward to seeing what comes next in the Grand Adventures of DavLin!!! Cheers and Bon Voyage! 🤗❤️😊

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Well done brother. A thought on “the god particle”. Science ( The culture of “modern science”) tells us that God as we know Him does not exist. & yet they also tell us that there are entire Universes & dimensions that remain unseen & unmeasured. They cannot even perceive the fullness of creation but they still think that they know it all. As if a goldfish living in the bowl is an expert on the sea.

    Liked by 2 people

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  33. A touch of melancholy but true, dear!!How much you are emotional, my dear!! This is true reality of the world in which many paradoxical things are presented. Only Love is the cure💗💙💚💛💜💞

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    1. No, but I believe it is regarded as the
      ultimate Dali collection. Hope to get
      there one day. Spent a mesmerising
      day at Dali House in Figueres. And the
      Dali Espace at Montmartre was well
      worth the trip. Sadly, didn’t have the
      time to visit his house at Port Lligat.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  39. If spiritual arms could cross distances… I guess this is what they look like… the arms of god, creative energy, itself…
    thank you for this incredible series of gifts to us all, David… a taste of all, a taste of everything, a channeling, a divine breath… a whisper
    in a voice
    made of heavy light…
    thank you.
    🌟

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your good vibrations,
      Lia. You’ve inspired me to dig a bit
      deeper …

      There’s a light
      with a heavenly glow
      A whisper light as a feather
      To listen
      ever a choice
      Yet the weight
      of eternity echoes
      at the sound of that voice
      It is good with my soul
      as I’ve had
      a celestial taste
      And a touch
      of what makes us whole

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. Alan Redpath the evangelist? 🤔
        All the Redpaths came from a small
        Scottish village, near Melrose
        (Sir Walter Scott territory). So,
        I believe we are all related. I visited
        the village of Redpath a few years
        ago, and there were none left there.
        They had all left for fame & fortune
        elsewhere 😎

        Like

      4. The old Redpath school room,
        now being used as a community
        hall, (as there are sadly not enough
        children left in the village) has a
        ‘Wall of Honour’ for those Redpaths
        who’ve made a splash out in the wide
        world. In first place is a Canadian
        Redpath, very successful, who
        returned to get married in the
        ancestral village. I didn’t make a
        note of his name, but I was told
        he’s big business back in Canada.
        Melrose was one of the most
        pleasant villages we stopped at
        on our Scottish trek, prior to driving
        all around the north coast along
        the Route 500. Well worth the trip.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Interesting. Perhaps I’ll check the school room out myself when I’m in Scotland in the spring (with a planned trip to the north as well). Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂 I really appreciate your blog. Your work is amazing!

        Liked by 1 person

  44. Wow I don’t know how to comment on this except to say beautifully written prose about the answer to life. The paintings are also stunning. I am glad I have the answer and experienced the truth
    Several times. Once by being giving a much to strong blood pressure medication which stopped my heart for a few minutes. God is on my shoulder. This is an incredibly thought provoking piece. Thank you. Love 💕 Joni

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Greatly appreciated, Joni 🙏
      I have seen, and myself been in,
      some close encounters with the
      eternal. Only those who have know
      God’s divine intervention in such
      situations can truly relate.
      Thanks for the affirmation 😎💛

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  45. It’s a wonderfully poetic ‘n’ picturesque ride you’re taking us on… “Can a Theory of Everything / actually tell me a thing?” Who on earth knows! And, its true, in my view, that without art, there ain’t no hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Glad you could join the expedition,
      Anna. Yes, there’s a reason they’re
      called theories. Ideas attempting
      to explain the unknown.
      Hope is the substance
      that imagination is built upon.
      If love can tear us apart,
      then a greater love can
      put us back together again.
      I have faith in a higher love.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Partakers in creation
      Expressions of divine perfection
      Reflections in the headlights
      of magnificence
      What more can one ask for?
      Despite the belligerence
      of the malicious mediocrity
      For there be a celestial open door
      This existence belongs to the artist

      Like

      Reply

  50. a true tour de force; I like to mix it up: the early part of your poem asks the same sort of questions as Slowly Slowly does in its ripper little track ‘Jellyfish’. I did get lost in the poetry after a while but appreciated you are dealing with deep issues. I loved the line,’I’m just beginning to understand, by the work of His hand, the smallest strand of a plan …’. I too am a fan of Dali. I love how you mix poetry with painting

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for sticking it out with my
      little wandering exodus, John 😎
      I appreciate your feedback 🙏
      I guess if your spend time roaming
      the wilderness, it gets reflected in
      what what you write 🔄 🔃
      If you ever visit Spain, Dali’s house
      in Figueres, is a surrealistic must.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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