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. :-)

[Jae]

Tate this is a very lovely poem that just fills the brain with many thoughts and feelings. You, as always, have outdone yourself, Old Bean.

~Rem

[Allen Smuckler]

Nothing wrong with questioning century old doctrines...just to understand why they are there in the first place...There is no right or wrong when choosing only forcing "our" beliefs on others...
Now...for your poem....I loved it. It made me think and reflect....the older you get, the more you tend to do that...Great write, Tate

[Michael Pisher]

Tate, I find this refreshing. A gorgeous embodiment of the need for change in the way that we all think, and interpret our beliefs.

[light and ashes]

Question yes, it is a good thing to question. That is a good quality mostly. In fact it is the human nature of curious minds to question. Many great minds question.
God asks you to honor "Thy mother and thy father." But to honor him more yes. But afterall he did give all of creation life. So I don't think that is an unfair thing to ask, in my opinion.But I still hold my father and mother extremely dear to my heart. But I do get your point in asking the question.

I think that this is an exceptional and gorgeous poem. I really enjoyed reading it. I think that your concept of this poem was really great.

[Ruth]

Tate, this is all consuming..a wonderful, questioning piece! You know..to me, I respect all religion but there are those who think they shall rise above all and if God truly does exist..then why would he compare us all to one another! We all have our paths and I believe we shall all be welcomed back..a huge debate I think but I truly believe it is our choice to return!

A lot of religion places way too much emphasis on this sort of thing..almost a fear mongering quality to it! We are first and foremost energy..and energy existed long before we entered this physical shell and shall exist long after we depart..so in that light..whether we return..is not up to God, in my eyes! :)

Powerful work love!

Blessings and love

xx

[Sunni Davis]

Lovely poem Tate. And I agree with your authors note,also. Our minds were designed for thinking, for questioning. Its what makes us grow and be our own individual self. Beautifully written, my friend!

[panheadpigments]

This is really good. My favorite part is:

No good man worships another

nor our father wish that from you

He'd rather you helped your brother

while in life those wonders renew




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

[-Scribe in Style-]

This is a faithful poem, find the faith and the belief to hold what is strongest and dearest. Decide on your principles and what is true and then there will no question that will bother you. If there was no God, there is no You and nothing else in this world, Here everything is on the same level... So one goes through life to experience this, there is 'something' much greater than its self-being; what you can see, what you can touch, what you can hear, is all about trust.

This is a personal view.

The poem you wrote was excellent! I enjoyed the read. It obviously meant something different to me... and that is the art of poetry...
Well done! Well written!