Some Commandments

“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him” – Voltaire.

Though many a one has thought to choose the path of truth

It soon is clear that this is the preserve of youth

If through this knavish world a man would make his way

A childish love of truth must first be cast away.

 

A man of morals must make certain compromises

He first must learn to smile at whom he most despises

He next must learn to do and not to question why

He must refuse to see that which offends his eye.

And if his eye offend him, he had better cut it out

For the blind man may have faith where the seeing man sees doubt.

 

From school he will be taught to live along the lines

That lead him to the place where he has been assigned.

If he thinks otherwise, he must walk a lonely path,

And more than this, ‘tis sure he will incur God’s wrath.

 

For thou must honour God in all thy deeds and ways

As it is writ, so must thou do throughout thy days

And only then can man behold the path to peace

Where to the troubles of his mind he brings surcease.

 

You need know only this: it is the will of God

His ways may not be questioned, though they seem most odd

And when you cease to question, ‘tis then you feel most free

All things beneath the sun now cease to trouble thee.

 

Oh, most great convenience, without whom is despair

At finding such a world, and being rooted there.

Now we may face the world and not be too much pained

For all is as you will it, and nothing is in vain.

Such faith it is an opiate that serves to make us calm.

And shields us from the emptiness that defines the life of Man.

Author's Note

This is an attempt at writing in iambic hexameter (except the indented lines), an unusual meter in English poetry.

Reviews

[Tony]

Well. I don't know anything about iambic hexameter, but I do like this poem. It seems to point a gnarled finger at me like those creepy TV evangelists.

Clowns in the Serious Circus.

[A]

Interesting style...I like it a lot. Your grace in words makes me quander a higher aspect to life. A life that we need to visualize and understand where we actually stand...kewl!

[Variablecharm]

I can almost feel your longing for someone who can cuddle your soul. Great poem.