Rationale

A single ray meets the terrain

          breaking through the gloom…

 

… and Faith tugs my soul

 

When desolate shadows

render me hollow,

in the echoes I find comfort

 

Yes, I hear the skeptic,

          the cynic, the misanthrope,

          and reason behind the doubt…

 

Still, I seek,

and hope,

and praise

 

In ritual

          and ancient creed

          in sacrament and vow

 

Because,

the rent in the clouds

bears the promise of the Jordan…

 

           “My beloved…”

Author's Note

I am often asked how I can still have faith, being an educated person. I suppose to a skeptic, there is no rationale at all, but every time I see a ray of sunlight coming through a cloud, I am filled with awe, and think that there has to be something bigger than us...

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

I will quote a line from my favorite children's book, The Tale of Despereaux:

"Hope is a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.

And often hope is entwined with faith. I really don't think anyone should have to justify their faith. Your poem is wonderful and I really like how you structured it.

[s y e]

That's an amazing book....

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Blue - Hope is indeed ridiculous, and wonderful...
Sorry for the delayed reply - I just saw this...

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

"When desolate shadows
render me hollow,
in the echoes I find comfort"... Skeptic or believer this piece will come off across as a sincere expression of your faith. Well done, I think you have added another piece to your list of greats with this one.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Travis. You are so honest and soulful in your writes; I appreciate your words!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such a humbling compliment, its writing like yours that push my pen to want the heights of greatness. Again, Excellent piece.

[annie lee]

I do agree, Rita. I have always mused "how can all this be some serendipitous quirk of chemical reaction?" I subscribe to nothing other that a belief in something more powerful carefully crafted all this wonder. I think it is essential to be in awe of this incredible planet, to be in awe of the knowledge we have accumulated and to revere our fellow creatures, all creatures.
This lovely poem of yours says it humbly, simply and gently. Very nice.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Annie. If we all had a bit more awe, and a lot more reverence, for this planet... what a wonderful world it would be...

[Angi]

There has to be something bigger than us. What is all this for if there isn't? Angi

[Rita L. Sev]

What, indeed. :)

[Angel]

When I was very small, I had a book of children's Bible stories. What I remember most about that book was the front piece...a picture of a ray of sunlight breaking through a cloud.
Like you, I have always been filled with awe at the sight...

Lovely write, my sweet friend! You have lifted up my heart, and I thank you.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel. There are many sights in nature that point to God for me, but this is the one that makes me want to sing "How Great Thou Art"!

[Angel]

I feel exactly the same way. In fact, I've been known to do exactly that ;-D

[Rita L. Sev]

So have I... ;)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Faith will be tested throughout our lives but the strongest souls will always hang on.
Excellently expressed.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Dale.

[ANTO]

A wonderful testament to your faith Rita. I used to think as a child that rays you described here were in fact God because of the films I watched like 'The Robe' where Vic Mature gets whacked by the rays then becomes a good guy.
Its not unusual to wonder why others don't see things as we do...
X

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Anto! Ok, well you have just referenced one of my husband's favorite movies, so I know that scene well. :)

[Lydia Shutter]

There is no way to explain faith or spirituality. It is such a personal sort of thing. We all pose questions that are unanswerable, but then believe what we can handle believing. This was such a beautiful write, Rita. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

"Believe that we can handle believing..." Yes, that's a good way to put it. Belief implies a relationship, and there is work involved, but it is, as all good relationships, so fulfilling... Thank you, Lydi!

[Jack...]

it takes a very prolific artist to paint the beauty that we see everyday where ever we may be. Each person who awes at this beauty has their own artist to believe in, and belief is the key. Very cool Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Artist, indeed - I like that analogy, Jack. Thank you, my friend.

[redflutterby]

First...this is such a beautiful piece. Truly defines faith in what is unseen. Second..your authors note is on point. There is too much magnificence in the world to not at least consider that something greater exists. ;-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Well said, Red - to not even consider the possibility is quite arrogant! Thank you!

[Dr. Wood ?]

admirable that you have this faith....I almost feel as if I am failing in some way....Us SCEPTICS.....caint even spell SKEPTIC.....

[Rita L. Sev]

Have faith in the dictionary, Doc... :)

[Dr. Wood ?]

the american one or the PROPER one...Ha ha........