Rationalized

This is the truth

you must believe

heaven and hell exist.

'Cuz if you don't

you are deceived

Heaven you will miss.

You must live in fear

as God demands

for he loves you so.

To reject His word

for other plans

well, to hell you go.

You must be saved

for He did write

that is your only hope.

Obey His words

and find the light

Faith will be your rope.

Author's Note

Interested in people's reactions

Reviews

[Leslie Philibert]

I enjoyed reading this, not too sure if this has a satirical message, or a critical background. I don`t believe in God or in Heaven or Hell, so I hope the line...you must believe..reflects room for those who don`t share the message !

[Mark]

I'm interested in what people see in the poem more than what I tried to put into it. THank you for reading and commenting my friend :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Well, the poem is wonderful. It reads a little like a grim story; as to its content. I'm not really a Heaven or a Hell girl, more of a open up and love and learn and forgive and this purgatory will come to an end.

[Mark]

Thanks for your thoughts. :)

[Baby Ricochet]

I believe religion is often used to make gullible people do incredibly stupid things

[Mark]

LOL thanks for reading and commenting my friend :)

[s y e]

This is beautiful Mark -- You've written it very well. The wording and flow is great, I loved it. Well done!

[Mark]

Thank you :) thanks for reading!

[Mockingbird]

brings me back to my catholic school days fraught with fear, threats, and guilt. which is why i consider myself an ex-catholic. sounds like a hell-fire sermon. your poem serves its purpose. hey, i thought you were a gypsy.

[Mark]

I AM a gypsy... but that's not a religion so much as a lifestyle. Interesting you saw Catholicism in this work. I too was raised in Catholic guilt and fear, though things changed a bit in he 70s. It's why I also am ex. LOL

[TL Boehm]

Well I actually am a Bible and God gal, but I'm no evangelist. I like the way Poppy phrased that. For me, long story short I grew up agnostic and developed some pagan/goddess ideas in my 20's before marrying a Missouri Synod Lutheran and trying to raise my boys as good Christian kids for about 15 years. We then became non denominational Christians. There is a faith/truth message in this piece which I find relevant - but it also sparks those conversations that are so fascinating as well - faith must be a deeply personal relationship with Creator God. Religion is dry dust. I think the poem actually illuminates both ideas. Well penned

[Mark]

Thanks so much. Very well thought out review!! :)

[Ruth]

Well...religion is a hot topic lol However, the poem is a beautiful flow and I am open to ALL faiths...but, a bible and God gal I am not ;) xx

[Mark]

thanks for sharing Poppy... neither am I ;)

[Ruth]

lol My pleasure hon x

[icelandicblue]

The poem works well. It sends the message you want in a rhyme that flows nicely.

[Mark]

I'm curious what message you think it sends if you don't mind?

[icelandicblue]

On the other hand you do use Goya's Inquisition Tribunal painting so on further thought perhaps you are saying we rationalize what we believe as doctrine that supposedly fits everyone. Your words feel one way, your title and choice of painting say another. They do seem to be at odds with each other.

[Mark]

Thanks, for your thoughts! :) I'm curious as to the post you deleted ... lol could you be talked into PM'ing it to me??

[icelandicblue]

I don't know why I deleted it, I think because I didn't like my original answer. What I said was that the poem sounded like to get to the light of heaven you had to climb the rope of faith. When you asked me about what message I meant I looked at the poem a bit closer. I have a habit of not paying attention to the title and artwork so I thought I should take a second look and when I did I realized your message might not be the easy one I picked out to start because your title and painting are at odds with what I perceived as the original purpose of the poem. I read it with a different eye and now I think the poem questions the absoluteness of the message.

[Mark]

:) thank you very much for responding.

[emmajoy]

Maybe understanding the difference between good and bad - whether within a recognised religion or not, is what gives more of a contented feel deep inside. Else we run around chasing our own tails and doubts, never completely sure of answers. There's not that much focus on ethics and morals these days, seems 'anything goes - what the hell, why not'. Sad that. Yes, faith is a rope but more a haven to reach for in the mind as well as the heart. Perhaps?

A finely written and thoughtful post, Mark. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Mark]

thank you so much for your thoughts Emma. Faith is a haven, I completely agree. :)