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Solemn Reunion of Mother and Son

By Kieran
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Solemn Reunion of Mother and Son   An original One-Act Holy Saturday Play (and artwork) by Kieran Gonsalves (c), 2026 SCENE START SETTING : It is just before daybreak after the Crucifixion and the Upper Room, which hosted the Last Supper, is quiet. The long wooden table sits center stage, with a silent figure wrapped in white tunic. The two adjacent guest rooms are occupied by Mother Mary and John, the favorite disciple of Jesus. In the dim light, Mother Mary is tossing in bed, restless. Her face etched with grief, as she fights back the tears. She can hear John, the favorite disciple, snoring with every breath - and though he is deep asleep, it reminds her that she is not alone. Suddenly, a soft, golden luminescence fills her bedroom. It doesn't flicker like a candle; it glows with a soft warmth that instantly fills Mother Mary with peace. The Archangel Gabriel appears - just as he did at the night of the Annunciation - with the quiet reverence of a messenger servant....
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Stations of the Cross

By Kieran
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 Sonnet on the 14 Stations of the Cross   Original sonnet by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, dedicated to my dear friend Tino de Sa, who shared his own sonnet and enlightened me of how the 14 stations of the cross lend themselves to a sonnet.    Here's what I found about the 14-line sonnet, often cited as the "Goldilocks" length for a poem: it is long enough to develop a sophisticated thought, but too short to allow for rambling. It requires the poet to be incredibly economical with language, making every one of the 14 lines essential to the whole.    Furthermore the 14-line structure works in tandem with Iambic Pentameter (a "heartbeat" rhythm of ten syllables per line).    The last two lines called ‘the Volta’ or ‘the turn’ are arguably the most powerful part of the 14-line structure. Because they rhyme with each other (a rhyming couplet), they stand out from the rest of the poem, subverting everything said in the earlier 12 lines and providing a pit...
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The Mystery of The Crucifixion

By Kieran
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 The Mystery of The Crucifixion   Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, on the occasion of Good Friday, recognising that the story of Salvation involves suffering - none more poignant than Christ crucified. Yet, by rising from the dead on Easter Sunday - Jesus conquered death and gave us the gift of Eternal Life. Wishing you and your loved ones a solemn Good Friday when you contemplate on what God's love means to you Considered the worst form of public execution, so cruel and painful. The Cross left victims impaled to die by asphyxiation, so disdainful There was no escaping the physical anguish fighting for every breath! A gruesome spectacle in plain sight meant to dehumanise even in death Standing at the foot of the Cross was his Mother steadfast in her belief! Never wavering in her faith in her innocent Son, despite her wretched grief Yet by suffering unjustly, Jesus identified himself with all the innocent victims! Showing love conquers hate. Long ...
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Service before Self

By Kieran
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 Service before Self   Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves(c) 2026, on *Holy Thursday* when Jesus unexpectedly washed the feet of his disciples, even as one of them, Judas Iscariot, had arranged to betray him for 30 pieces of silver Judas Iscariot's head was full of clever schemes; wholly blinded by worldly ambition Seeing Jesus bring the dead back to life, he wanted Jesus to force Roman submission   Thirty pieces of silver as blood money was enough for him to betray Jesus that very day Jesus chose to kneeled down in humility to wash the dirt from his disciple's feet away   Preaching forgiveness and mercy, drove Judas crazy; what was needed was an insurrection The Prince of Peace had come to redeem mankind by his crucifixion, death and Resurrection   Jesus said, 'You who call me your Master. What I have done for you, do to the others too The King of King came not to be served but to serve. Giving his life to save me and you
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Insurmountable Mountains

By Kieran
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 What are your insurmountable mountains?   Artwork and original pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, dedicated to Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary It was the last frontier. Tall. Majestic. Unconquered. The so-called 'Third Pole' Til a chilly morn in 1953, when a Kiwi beekeeper and his Sherpa reached their goal. Tenzing Norgay more than a porter, was an elite mountaineer vital to the mission Ignored by the press but duly acknowledged by Edmund Hillary, by his own admission The duo that summited the world's highest peak, beating all odds, became soulmates Edmund Hillary founded the Himalaya Trust to fight poverty in these remote straits "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves", said Edmund, rather matter-of-factly. Have you paused to think what might be your insurmountable mountains? Carpe diem. Exactly!
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Paradox of Palm Sunday

By Kieran
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 The Paradox of Palm Sunday   Original artwork and pensive poem on Palm Sunday by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 The adoring crowds on Palm Sunday were hoarse shouting "Hosannah, Hail the Messiah" Within just a few days the fickle crowd rejected Jesus as an outcast and a pariah Let's consider for a moment, the reason why they would so quickly change their attitude… It comes down to false expectations, when viewed through the narrow lense of servitude They were expecting a repeat of King David defeating their enemies to restore their pride Jesus was the God-send to liberate them from the  Roman Empire, they mused starry-eyed Gives us pause to think about our own relationships - are we guilty of being transactional? True friendship that seeks no personal gain is rare to find in a world that's reactional
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Spring Garden

By Kieran
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 Spring Garden Comes Alive    Original artwork and ode by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 Today was another wonderful sunny Bay Area morning in spring The neighborhood cat perched on it’s throne doing its thing  The bougainvillea is on fire with several multihued bouquets of blooms The less you water them the more flowers they put out, one assumes! Such a joy seeing the blackberry patch come alive with new growth.  Last year’s cane will fruit soon, the new canes later .. gotta love ‘em both I had to prune back most of  Azorean passion fruit vine that had run amuck. It’s produces the most delicious fruit for mouthwatering mousse … what luck 😊
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