Claiming divinity.

Slipping back down the slope,
The dark days are returning.
Knees cascade on glass shards,
Nails in my palms, prayer position.
Our father, who art in heaven...
I choke violently in laughter.

Hysterics are not foreign to me,
I've been shaking badly for years...
I blame it on whatever fits
And continue living uninterrupted.
Hands reach skyward claiming divinity,
Is it wrong to want God to touch me?

Caress me with the anger of the world,
I crave the rough ocean like crashing.
Should I fear what I refuse to believe in?
Perhaps the world should collapse for me,
I can drape myself in light and whisper....
Come forth, I want your desires.

Reviews

[Mama Topaz]

From the first line I find myself whispering... don't give in... don't slip back down the slope... wonderful write, johnny!

[TaylorH'sPoems]

I loved this. I thought it was marvelously written and I loved the last two lines in the first stanza.

[Kaylor Mason]

Whether you believe in God or not, he's still real . . . or at least, we all know that there is a God, deep in our hearts. I really like this poem because of how you understand God to be a real person, instead of just plain old-fashioned "religion". "Religion" never reaches down and touches people; God does. "Should I fear what I refuse to believe in?" That's a good question, for everyone, whether they believe or not. I will say, in my own experience, if you don't believe in God, well . . . he soon got my attention and changed my mind. Now I know he's real, and I believe--whether I like it or not.

[Leslie Philibert]

What I like about this poem is not only the strong, lyrical language but also the tension implied in the content between gayness and religion, which is the message I got from the text.What I really liked is the last three lines, and the appealative last line which reminded me for some reason of Dylan Thomas.
You write well.