My God

Mark Twain

If I could create my own god

a soul of both solace and mirth

He who needs no one’s flatteries

nor demands them from all the earth

 

He would not possess jealousy

a trait that even men despise

Showing each one he is equal

within the lord of this worlds eyes

 

Having made of each a sinner

he would love all of us the same

Blaming himself for our failings

not tempering us in a flame

 

Our lives would be a tapestry

a quilt of love, that beauty built

Where he'd take pride in what we are

and not punish us, for his guilt

 

Author's Note

We have to keep our God placated with prayers, and even then we are never sure of him -- how much higher and finer is the Indian's God......Our illogical God is all-powerful in name, but impotent in fact; the Great Spirit is not all-powerful, but does the very best he can for his injun and does it free of charge.
Mark Twain

It seems that it truly is our own intolerance of others that will do us all in. We need to occasionally look at ourselves and the things we believe. How else can we ever effect change. It almost makes me wonder why Jesus decided to come here as a 6 ft white man with blue eyes. This in a area where the population is under six ft tall and has light brown skin and brown eyes. He certainly would have stood out. We all know what populations do to those who are different. It is enough to ponder that a man doesn't know if he should laugh or cry! Could it be as simple an observation as this? Could it be true that man created God in his own image? That would surely be one way of explaining him acting like us.

Reviews

[jdr / Jennifer]

A very powerful, very courageous write. Although we all seem to think differently about religion- I wanted to comment on the beauty and elegance that this poetic piece of writing exuberates. 'Our lives would be a tapestry, a quilt of love that beauty built'- stunning imagery- and this piece has a wonderful flow about it. On a more personal note of its contents: ‘Do I believe In God?- Yes.’ But I also believe that God would want us to ask questions and to never stop searching for what ‘we’ believe in as individuals and as a whole. To find out what helps us get through life and experience it in all its glory. To learn to from every step we take and to pass our experience, our lessons and our love on to others. Not to doubt that there is a higher power than ourselves, but to find what it is that we believe in our own heart of hearts. I do not think that it is for us to prove in our own time, but to just believe… And to have the vast majority of the world believe… That is some miracle. No matter what name you give to it.

Thank you for sharing your incredible talent.

[Tate Morgan]

You always seem to intently study what you read.i appreciate that immensely. I never have been one to be led by the masses .I always make up my own mind. I look at the Soviet Union for instance and there was a government and way of living adhered to by an entire culture.Yet flawed to the core. I think we always need to evolve.If I were thew father of humanity I would not create a subspecies below me in every way. As a father i want my son to become more than me not to strive to be worthy of me.

[lee von cleef]

"More than me" , (A hitch hiker on your conversation) "More than me" I believe is a very Christen thought,not a universal one ,though it would be nice if all thought that way.

[Tate Morgan]

You are no hitch hiker lol To me you are a fellow traveler on the light /

[...]

Tate, I simply love your depth to question and admire your willingness to stand...period! Plus your wonderful writer :))

[Tate Morgan]

thank you the more i learn the less i feel i know

[Mary]

And that what the journey is all about! The quest for the Grail, holy or not.

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Beautiful write...makes me wonder if we could create our own god?

[Little Whisper]

This is beautifully thought provoking.

[Melobldnfr]

Not only is the poem well said, my favorite being the very last 2 lines, I certainly appreciate what you've had to say in your Author's Note. I myself just posted a poem, words that have been building a few days, I finally penned today. It is about trying to effect change, as you've stated, but when those who are supposed to be our peers become in tow rather than walking beside, having to walk away. Many times I've referred to this as my being an ever growing plant who has no care to stay in a pot or with a pot who is too small and won't grow with me or tries to keep me from growing. I hate it, and having to walk away again. I'd so rather not, but what else can be done when there seems no power can sway?

[Penlady]

...heartfelt!!!!

[Cornelia Echevarria]

Wow such a flawless perception. My sentiments entirely on this writing. Very well printed to mind.
It mirrors my thoughts exactly . I identify with this writing of your souls thoughts.
I enjoyed my reading. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Stacey Watts]

Very beautifully stated here. Samuel Clemons/Mark Twain gave us so many wonderful things to ponder about. I love the tapestry line you use here. It really speaks volumes of the peace we should find with others as well as ourself.

[Maria.F.T]

This is the first time I feel and see a great religious touch on your poem

[Tomás Ó C..]

So true... I think our God is like that but currupt preachers twisted his words...

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Powerful piece of writing that leaves the mind to ponder upon! Which god to serve? I have no second thought in serving the God above, but how true it is about how many make their own gods to serve!