THE RAPE OF FAITH

Do you believe? Because maybe that's what he wants.

Like a mocking bird that 

feeds on flesh ,

he humms the cathedral tunes 

of mortal life .

But relishes immortality ,

he reisdes in it .

Taking advantage .

You rape faith .

You KNOW it's volatile .

TELL ME WHAT'S RIGHT?

Death is born with dawn.

Borders forged on ground ,

with walls that  stand tall.

On stones and pillars 

that don't fall.

With rusty but sparkling metal 

and iron fences that 

carve hearts with your chant.

They call your mistique and 

you feel powerful .

TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG ?

Afraid , quivering .

hiding in the clouds, 

as i recklessly bleed on ground .

SO , look me once in my eyes.

Blink at the cinders of faith .

Open the coffin , where i bury fear .

And , i will then know 

that you are 'woman enough' to be called a man .

And , i will then know 

that you are man enough to be called a GOD.

Author's Note

I know it might offend a lot of believers, but it's the only way I see it. let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Patricia]

I can have faith and still not be offended by this piece. You have the right to question and be upset when the world is falling apart and God could end it all in a snap but for now we experience a whole range of emotions and we have to do the best we can and I want to say don’t lose faith but I think that’s up to you. But I do like the poem;) keep writing cuz you can find yourself in it

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Dear Patricia, you make me very happy when u say u are a believer and unoffended in one line . Because that is exactly what we need.. tolerance in faith .glad to see it . Take care

[Betty Hermelee]

This is a powerful spoof on religion, faith, whatever it is called. I am not a believer, so I can identify with thees strong words. I like the phrase "hiding in the clouds; that exactly why I can't' identify with GOD or any shadow of him from above. I think you did a great job of questioning his role in humankind. Excellent!!!
Best to you, Betty

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Thanks for the. Amazing review Betty . Means a lot . Best to you too ☺️

[Betty Hermelee]

Glad to do it
Take care , keep writing!

[Chris Shaw]

Another powerful write from your pen dear Ankita. Once upon a time when I was young I had a strong faith. Nowadays I detest organised religion. I have seen what it has done. I have read and heard from those who have been violated by those who hide behind their religion. It has been the cause of many wars. Millions have died. These days, I look to the natural environment for answers. Mother nature can teach us much about human behaviour. Religion has taught me to stay away from it.

Chris

[Ankita Dwivedi]

thank you , dear chris ! I also believe in the awes of nature , in hindu dharma , the 5 elements , fire , water , sky , land , and sun was worshipped indeed the things that give life to us , then religion became symbolic , hypocritical , intolerant and prejudiced , middlemen extorting people of hope and money. A wise person indeed should stay away from it because a reform seems a distant dream !
XO

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

I can see and feel you have many good, worthy and unanswered questions and perhaps prayers. I rest in my faith for I found many answers but I still question and confront any illogical or pagan doctrine they attribute to God and His ways. Long subject. One of my beliefs is that I do not believe God is a man, a woman or a thing although we use He in English. Allah, meaning The God, connotes no gender for we believe that God is unlike any of His creation. He is a spirit and light being. We can't see him in this realm but we will in the spiritual realm. Not trying to be preachy but I can see where you are coming from. Another point, I do not believe God has a son for son was taken as servant in Aramaic but when translated into Greek became a literal son. Aramaic was figurative language so we need to get the right concept. Holly spirit in Aramaic or Hebrew meant God's creative breath and not a separate entity and part of a trinity like those Trinitarians believe. Big difference. God is one and only. He has no equal, no partner, no heir....long subject but I studied and came to many conclusions to free me from falsehoods. Glad you are doing great in your book and such. You are talented indeed.

[Ankita Dwivedi]

the religions dear sami , your and mine , pave weapons that cut women to their knees into submission . Mostly the clerics and middlemen manipulate the unspecified texts and words to scare people into devotion and women suffer at the hands of all religion .you are indeed aware about Islam and it makes me very happy to see someone tapping into faith in its true form . Thank you dear sami for your kindest words . My book is on kindle hence an e-book , your read and previous review would mean the world to me since it's my 1st book ✨✨
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B091D2VFLH

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you. I believe in the true form and true interpretation. Many abuses and discriminatory practices were done for power and control that the religion never called for. We need to confront abuses done in any religion and bring enlightenment to the true, universal principles. Best of wishes.

[Neville]

This is absolutely brilliant .. Well done my friend & I seriously hope your words here get the praise they deserve ... Neville :)

[Ankita Dwivedi]

You truly know how to fill a friend with confidence don't u ? thank you for this kind review
with love , A

[Neville]

You really are more than deserving and welcome :)

[adornoscousin]

I love this. I think so many people have lost faith- not just in god but in life itself. We do not trust anything. there is a sort of secular faith that we need to make society work and at least in the US, it seems to be breaking. And they do hide in the clouds. This is also is not an accident. Many have sought to violate faith and rape it. That is what I thought of when I read your poem. I love this poem.

[Ankita Dwivedi]

I love when you say that we need ta secular faith . o be honest the phrase sounds like a paradox but nothing would be as golden as people living truly by it . I have known faith to kill people and people to killl faith and it hurts everytime . thak you for visiting XO

[adornoscousin]

Yes...the idea of social trust is important as well. We need to have faith in our institutions which many do not. We need to believe things will work. This is a secualr faith.

[Lorry]

Faith is the great escape clause in the belief system that I struggle with, as being told he moves in mysterious ways isn't much of an answer when the questions get too real.
Now that I'm older, I was expecting the wiser part to follow, but I'm sure it'll catch up eventually. All I know is I am less sure of me being right and others wrong, so O tend to side on the side of "If it helps others, then that is good" I'm still working on the "when it doesn't help" part though.
Secretly, I hope it's like a game show and we all stand in front of the quizmaster to find out if our religion was correct or a bluff.
Please don't let it be the scientologist is all I ask 😉

[Ankita Dwivedi]

i would go for the bluff part , but i am thrilled to find out someday i get a chance ..thanks for your precious review ! keep safe and smiling XO

[Einstein Noodle]

wow ... powerful commentary on those religions that have a place for a woman and a place for a man ... not a benefit to women at all eh!? i like the gender switch in your closing ... "...woman enough to be called a man" ... then maybe you are on your way to spiritual enlightenment .. sharp biting sarcasm and social commentary ... i like this one a lot .. borders erected .. pillars and walls of stone .. iron fences .. obstacles for women intended to exclude them ... such vivid hypocrisy and misguided religion says i ... wielding power to keep it rather than teach and love ... good stuff says i .. thoroughly engaging and enlightening from your very special perspective
E.

[Ankita Dwivedi]

True ... I am very glad you like it .. spiritual enlightenment? Uhh I have got a long way to go sir ..but some we have gotta learn to look beyond the binaries ..one of the deals of falling in love with art I suppose .. keep safe . won't you ? :)

[Einstein Noodle]

as safe as i can ;)

[Moomin]

Your words do capture a repulsion many feel towards the self-appointed gods in religious circles. I know many victims of religious hypocrisy and defilement. It is good that the world, especially artists can challenge their authority now.

One thought though, would anyone suspect Jesus himself of inflicting such harm or degradation on anyone? And can we hold the creator of life responsible for those who misrepresent him and break his laws? A knife manufacturer is surely not to blame if someone uses a bread knife to stab someone, and Jesus said that many would call him "Lord" but still ignore his teachings.

Strong writing.

I wish you peace,

Moomin

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Ankita. Powerful and honest words shared.
"Blink at the cinders of faith .
Open the coffin , where i bury fear .
And , i will then know
that you are 'woman enough' to be called a man ."
The above lines dig deep into the reader's mind. It is sad to learn. What we were taught, was wrong. Thank you dear poet for sharing the amazing and powerful poetry.
Coyote

[Ankita Dwivedi]

What we are taught , are wrong .. precisely said .it reached you , I am glad it did ...thank you so much for visiting , as always a delight .please keep safe and be your amazing self . :)
Love , Ankita

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Ankita.