An Epiphany

I have a friend who claims that she will return here reborn one day The essence of morality bereft of our mortal decay

Payton and I

I have a friend who says that she

will return here reborn one day

The essence of morality

bereft of our mortal decay

 

She claims only those who believe

will be allowed to live here then

This tapestry her god will weave

from all faithful women and men

 

I have a little misgiving

that I pose to a faithful few

What is it makes life worth living

if not the character we hew

 

Tolerance be the holy way

humility tempers us true

So why curtail what others say

as if this world were just for you

Our religions seem a bit grim

even somewhat selfish at best

Save ourselves by worshiping him

and to hell with all of the rest

 

No good man worships another

nor our father wish that from you

He'd rather you helped your brother

as any good father would do

If the Word be Truth let it shine

and echo out over the seas

May the Dreams be both yours and mine

as the winds that blow through the trees

 

Author's Note

Born and raised a Catholic I still find I often think on this conundrum. Why would a god want worship anymore than a father of his children? It would seem counter productive for a god to demand worship of you at the same time telling you as a father to be humble. God did not give me a brain to follow others like sheep. It would be wrong not to use it to question the concepts we hold dear. If this upsets someone I am sorry. Not for the idea but for the injury. I am forced by nature to question all we hold dear.

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking poem. For all of those who worship "God" for the sake of their own skins, forsaking all the rest, I wonder what that same "God" thinks of him being forsaken for all the rest. So many profess to believe; and yet, they try to mold God in the shape of man rather than the other way around.

Take any issue: abortion, same-sex marriage, couples living together before marriage, etc.; and one can clearly see how society as a whole has forsaken "God" in favor of themselves. Even those who act most fervently in the name of their "God," do so for their own selfish reasons that have nothing to do with God.

Beware the man - the beast - as lamb.

[Tate Morgan]

It is funny how god takes on our characteristics isnt it

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Predictable and true. :-)

[LA Lorena]

A most thought provoking write Tate. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and question that which is foreign to us. To some extent we have all been conditioned by our upbringings to believe in a particular way or dogma, and unfortunately, many will have you believe that theirs is the only right or true way. It is most ironic though, that they will argue their point, not from a position of knowledge, but from a doctrine instilled from a young age, that they have never questioned themselves. For a good many, religion is given like a name at birth, never questioned or understood, but simply accepted and obeyed.

[Art Sun]

Well good morning Tate...you question and so do I, and yet there is still Faith within your own words...God is God, Light is Light...you are not alone my friend in this questionable life for why else would you be if not for creation, there was no religion when this world was created, or to that matter where was philosophy, we are only human enough to decide for ourselves the whys and then choose, I am as you humbled at times to the point of realization that I am here for a reason. You my friend should not feel as though you are upsetting but you are seeking...and that is where we are, and why not? Your poem speaks of the Karmaic return and maybe so or maybe we will be in another world, another question no Tate...live for today my friend and keep your family close and loved...in your heart and Soul you know the Truth...Love and Peace my friend.

[Lily Mae]

"If the word be truth watch it shine
to echo out over the seas
Let the dreams be both yours and mine
as the winds that blow through the trees"

I have to believe that we are all worthy of being held in the arms of creator.. I think this is referring to Rapture. I don't agree, yet support people on their paths.. I grew up Catholic..and now in the work that I do.. I believe if we chose to come back..lifetime after lifetime..it's for our soul to reap the lessons offered here and to eventually ascend to the next universal step.. :) As always Tate your work inspires thought and many feelings. Your last stanza sums it up for me.. I'd rather believe we're together in all of this.. The Atlantian society once perfect with all the bounty's offered in life, came to their own demise by their own hands..x Just a thought that popped in.. Thank you for sharing this beauty..xx

[J. Marc]

Ha! You are a Catholic too! It is a great poem for, indeed full of understanding for the others. This is my favorite lines: He'd rather you helped your brother

while in life those wonders renew. The second paragraph is the hardest to read and comprehend. Great work!

[Greg Close]

I would have tried to say something like what Mr. Puetter said, but - as always - he does it with such eloquence and style, I can't compete. ;) You expressed a very rational concern (and conundrum) in a very respectful way.

And, not to distract from the art behind the meaning, but the words are well chosen and fluid. The first stanza really sang and set the tone for the rest of the piece.

[quinfinn]

having reread your effort and reading all of the many reviews (and may i say that
the reviews have some poignant and stunning revelations which many folks would to well to heed) i am , once again immersed in the complexity of this whole issue.
the poem itself is pure genius in the sense that it is not only well written , and obviously after deep and reflective thought, but the subject matter is controversial
(as stated in review after review) and controversy is the sure way to garner attention. as i previously stated...pure genius. excellent work, nice rewrite!

[Veronica Chandler]

Exquisite and so well written; the times they are a changing and values of old,while maybe helpful then, may hinder the very humanity which many "religions" claim to want to nurture. I read a saying once when I was a 16 year old little girl in big girl shoes, and have held it close to my heart for some 37 years since which said, "The athiest staring from his attic window is often nearer to God than the believer caught up in his own false image of God." (Unknown Author)

If anyone claims to know the way to the truth, we would do well not to follow them. We have sort of lost the point, if worshiping "Him" is more important than to teach our children and our brothers, by our actions about being humble, having compassion, offering acceptance, and the forgiveness of ourselves and one another.
This statement is in no way an endorsement of any or no religion so much as it is an endorsement of being the beauty, compassion and peace we would like to see in the world. I mean no offense to anyone; I am simply commenting on this beautiful piece of work.

[Manie]

Mmmm... So much already said. I don't think I can add much to what has already been said, except that I loved it. Controversial? Yes! But thought provoking...

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Tate,

It seems to me that if there is a God of Love, He would be all loving, all forgiving, and all understanding. Why would he create an imperfect Man and then punish him for his imperfections? No, I think rather that our understanding is poor, that our understanding is at fault. The world of Man is flawed with hate and war. We kill each other for petty reasons. A God of Love would not do this. We see this in the Holy Scripture of all faiths. Peace and Love is the teaching of the Hindu and Buddhist. This is the same teachings of Christianity, Judaism, and the Muslim faith. Let he who is without fault cast the first stone. The meek shall inherit the Earth. Judge not lest you be judged. Love is the greatest commandment. No, a loving God would not condemn an imperfect soul to eternal fire to suffer for all time for imperfections with which he was born.

Some may take issue with what you have said, Tate. These people need to find themselves a more loving God.

Best regards,

Rick

[Pax Analog]

Sensible rumination. The hinge is the word "worship" -- which strikes me as two-sided, Janus-faced, pro and con.

On the one hand I think of Krishnamurti: "People either worship or kill the one who has something -- and it's exactly the same thing." Meaning, idolizing the messenger kills the message.

On the other hand, the mood of devotion can be beautiful.

The perennial issue remains a lack of en masse understanding of Nonduality vis-a-vis duality. "God" is not an object. It's an enigmatic default term for seamless LIFE, infinity.

As to the essence of your lucid poem: To varying degrees, we are all self-fulfilling prophecies. The Kosmos is interactive flux.