Why Does My Faith...

I sang in the choir when I was young,

In surplice, ruff, and gown,

I bent my head to the cherubim

And cast my eyes to the ground,

I read your word in the Holy Book

And swore to be good and true

While living in fear of an Awe-ful God,

A life spent, looking for you.

 

My mind was full of heaven and hell

And the things that I shouldn’t do,

But the world seemed bent on a wayward course

All done in the name of You…

For ‘Christ Almighty’ I heard on lips

That shouldn’t have breathed their sin,

And ‘Jesus Christ’ is a dirty word…

But why does my faith grow thin?

 

The world has turned to greed and lust,

To hate, to me for mine,

And life is cheap on the empty streets

Where drugs are the bottom line,

Where children murder their parents

And the parents murder their young,

Where everyone has a mobile phone

But none with your number on.

 

It’s long since I tossed heaven and hell

To rot in a garbage bin

But still maintained my faith in you,

Your pain in an earthly skin;

I still believe in an afterlife,

And I know that you’ll see us in,

I’m closer to you than I’ve ever been

So why does my faith grow thin?

 

David Lewis Paget

 

Reviews

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

First time I read you with a spiritual theme, and yet it gets very real and true, that I find difficulty separating the poet from the poem. Subjectively viewed, I think Man in general, has vague perception of God, based on his human wisdom, but as he communicates more and reads the Book more, he gets a view of the Divine in a "rhema" way - an insight spiritually grasped by grace. It is experienced, not explained, and this dilemma is what the poem dwells upon. Your lines connect to many with the same questions and musings and I pray that all of you find Him. "If you seek Me, you will find Me, if you seek with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13) Excellent composition and as always, written in your outstanding signature style.

[Doreen]

Your poetry is inspirational. You are a magnificent poet. I enjoyed reading this very much.

[An Ordinary Woman]

I read this a couple days ago and was taken with your question ... I know where your coming from. It's beautifully written, very sincere and sweet. I think your a wonderful poet ...

[Norma J. Jessee]

This beautiful verse brought tears to my eyes. It touched me deeply because my faith has been faltering these past few days. It's as if the world seems to be falling down around me and there's nothing I can do to set it right again. I understand why these things must take place, why God allows thems for now, but at times it gets so depressing and I find myself asking why even though I know why.

Very beautifully written.