Our Image

/ Daniel Swearingen

All rights to art Dawid Planeta

“Let us make man in our image” – Genesis 1:26

Who are you?

I stand inside the seal, defiance rising from the ground, and I ask the question, I inquire my wrist bare, and yes unbound. Who are you, that brings me here, your barren womb, no answer clear. Who is our, and is she nice, does she protect me with her soft touch, is her whisper in my prayers all night? Where is this, you’ve brought me too, oh man, this man, I feel a fool. And is this love oh G_D of prey, that pecks and pulls my faith away. Who are you, I stand inside, this seal, of salt, mixed so quiet. The dark, so dark, a new mooned night, my Judas goat sent to find that angel of light. I stand inside the seal, to your, or our, I ask what’s right.

Who is this our, where is this us? The theologians have disappeared into a worm filled dust, baiting each other with bitter scorn, of crosses and cycles, and vegetarian scorn. I stand inside the seal still tough. With bluster bellowed, in defiant trust. Is wisdom patient, is love kind, the balance to the question is hidden in the find. Cold so cold. Inside the seal, this father, this beggar stands shimmering steel. I will not deal, no Adonai I will not deal!

A simple lesser question as I stand inside the seal, do I dare let “our” holiness, try and make a deal. It could be just this mystery, that makes me have to kneel, but how many is one of you, and which one of you is real? As I edge a little closer, as a fool is known to do, I see plurality in your likeness is it in my likeness too. Then the universe in spinning and the lights are growing dim, and with a sudden movement, there’s a mirror, and a face that looks to be my twin.

“You’re the man of all our images, the creature of our heart, whisper’s muses to my consciousness, flowing sparks upon my heart. You’re the prey that pecks at heaven, and pulls, thunder from its perch, you are the spirit of our likeness, made manifest on earth. Who are you?

She dances in my lineage, when he laughs he crafts my heart, wonder children of the womb and flame, born love unto our hearts, when I look into their glowing eyes, I see no answer clear, just the images of paradigm, of what’s been always here!

Who are you? – 09.25.2017

For Susan who gave me the idea! – 09.25.2017 – דָּנִיֵּאל


75 thoughts on “Our Image”

  1. Hi, I have not commented before on your blog, but wanted you to know, this was wonderful writing. It touched my soul, and made me think about my own relationship with whatever is out there and my own children. Thank you.

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  3. “Our image” is a new favorite for me Daniel. A strong question asked to deity, to have it turned inward and then outward from yourself for an answer. Fantastic writing!

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  4. Beautiful, deep writing Daniel, there is so much in here on a spiritual level, but the following I keep rereading! “You’re the man of all our images, the creature of our heart, whisper’s muses to my consciousness, flowing sparks upon my heart. You’re the prey that pecks at heaven, and pulls, thunder from its perch, you are the spirit of our likeness, made manifest on earth. Who are you?” ❤

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  6. Daniel, I had to comment on this amazing piece. I received so much out of it, it’s nice to read thoughts that I have had myself, when looking at the skies, thinking I was wrong for thinking them. Your writing helped me to see I am not. Thank you.

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  8. The beauty and lyrical quality of your words amazes me. “Our Image” weaves a primitive world with our modern day spiritual questions, and does not settle for just because. It provides an answer. Each word a prayer answered.

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  9. Your prose comes directly from Psalms, moving and asking for guidance, and deliverance. I received much from this. As someone said before me, you asked questions that I too have asked, when looking at the stars. ❤

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  10. Daniel, I am never sure where your words are delivered from, but I know they mean something significant, and I know they make an impact when they are read. This was genius!

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  12. “It could be just this mystery, that makes me have to kneel, but how many is one of you, and which one of you is real?” For me the most gripping line, the question I ask. Thank you for helping me on my journey to the answer.

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  13. I just re-read 2:10 A.M. (a wonderful piece by the way) and now “Our Image”. Both provide a glimpse into your search, but “Our Image” provides an answer, something most written searches do not. It was amazing!

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  14. Daniel, I’m reading this while listening to The Who sing “Who are You” and knowing that my answer is just ahead. Thank you for gently leading the way. I have been following your blog for two years now, and continue to be amazed at what you write. I feel blessed. ❤

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  15. Daniel, you have written an answered prayer in “Our Image”. If given the chance someday I will share with you my own story, and search. As many have said here on your blog before, they gain much from your words. I am one of those many. I had chills as I read the last few lines of this piece. Something that rarely happens to me. The answer, simply the answer is what I repeated to myself. Thank you my friend.

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  16. Daniel, you have written a masterpiece in so few words here. This work as so many before it from your soul, will take it’s place in my life, and I will read it from time to time, as I re-read much of what you scribe. Your map, has provided a destination with its answer. Thank you. Bill

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  18. My brother, you are spot on here, without trying to sound placating, or unreal, you are in the zone, and I am amazed at the words you are writing. Bless you this day, for your words have blessed Hashem this day, as they have blessed me. Dennis

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    • Hi Dennis, I am brought to a place by your comment, that is either tears or chills. Neither is for my benefit or the benefit of others, my goal is to bless Hashem, and what your comment gave to me, is the light needed to continue. Thank you brother. Daniel

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      • Spoken truly my friend. In my experience, it is easy to have so many of life’s stresses interfere with our personal experience with GD. Putting that experience front and center blesses Hashem, and that is reflected in all those life experiences around me. Shabbat Shalom brother!

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  19. Daniel, “Our Image” was fantastic. I don’t think I can add to much to what has already been said to the praise heaped upon your words, except to let you know, that this piece like so much of your writing meant much to me. I too am looking at my children in a new way, as an extension of me and something greater. Have a great day! 🙂

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  22. Daniel I cannot say anymore that this is the best yet, for each piece of prose you write has its own standing as the best yet. Reading through “Our Image” I was amazed at the workings of your spirit, with the great design that works in us all. Don’t let anyone ever tell you you’re not called to greatness my friend, because you are called, and that greatness touches me every time I read your words in this forum.

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  23. Daniel at the risk of sounding like a me too like person, I have to agree with everything that has been written in your comment section regarding this wonderful post. You had written a wonderfully inspired answer to a question that anyone who is on an honest search ask. This was wonderful! ❤

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  25. I have no children, but the paradigm remains. A prism full of color from our light, defines me, differently, each time.
    In the seal, I am who is seen by others therein contained. I see them, they see me, I see me through all their views within the prism’s prison restrained.
    So, it seems to me that it is in the hue of a moment that I know who I am.
    Daniel, I love answering your evocative words.You make us all think. Thank you to Susan!!

    PS. I did check off – inform me of new posts via email. I didn’t get one.

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    • Hi Resa, that was beautiful, I am constantly amazed at the wonderful people I have met through this forum. You probably have a good idea by now that I am not a conventional seeker, but I am consistent. 😉 Thank you for your wonderful comment, I can’t wait for you to meet Susan someday. What am I saying I can’t wait to actually meet you someday. 🙂 P.S. Was it just with this post that there was no email, or has it been doing that all along?

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