the dog i forgot ( I Am Sorry...)

my first (but not last) work critical of religion

I was brought to you through
slavery, disease, war, and death.
But, ironically enough
Life is no better for the journey.
Before you, I knew the cycle of Life
and appreciated the simplest of shapes.
Now I only know the dogma you shaped
and life is more full of complication.
There was a time when I knew the heart of the wolf
and that heartbeat taught me the rhythm of the forrest.
The soul of the cat was revealed to me once at night
and my light shined to the heavens and to my dreams.
Both I and my Brother knew the spirit of the hawk
that our view showed the storm for the breeze it is.
Now I only hear your shapard's call,
to see your enlightened state
and feel your provident deliverance.
Strange, that I could know Life some other way.
You did teach me of my sins...
...oh, my beloved sins!
And I could never thank you enough
for what they have brought to my life.
However,
to know of weakness
is not,
to be of the weakness.
I know and knew...
...the spirit's juices and the soul's flowers...
...the touch beyond her touch...
...the fire that burns of the hearth...
...the self other than myself...
...the rest that is the lie in Life...
...the footprints I have fashioned to my shadow...
...the possessions I have craved...
they were with me already.
Before you, I knew
the Earth as Mother,
and the Sky as Sister,
and the Sea as Wife.
Before you, I knew
the Sun as Father
and the Moon as Brother.
Today they are merely relative.
Sometimes, your children seem to envy Oedipus,
they do blind themselves to all but you.
And if I be cursed to raise their ire,
they would blind me to all but them.
I'm told that I am of your image,
but need the mole know that to burrow?
Flocks of souls find their way through you,
to enclosed hay fields and graves for concerns.
Sad, that were your words but straw,
much would go uneaten as they hasten to rest.
Was Lilith really such a bad girl?  Was Eve?
If wealth be of such relevance, why then,
should she bear the shame of flesh?
From Adam to Judas, he, became the prostitute.
And never would I be heard to say,
but that I envied Job his pain.
Never since has anyone bathed of it
with such permission.
For how could I know,
when the end of my joy
would be?
I haven't the pleasure of your discourse.
And would that you let me,
I'd gladly part the sea
and follow the footsteps of Moses.
But to me, you've yet revealed a destination.
If it is truly your will
to be the greatest expression
of my grandest vice...
then vanity be yours.
If you, too, would know that love
then may the sea be your mirror.
And may this blemish on which I reside,
not distract you from what you love.

Reviews

[marisa starkilicious]

I like the rhyms scheme in this. Very enchanting. And the style is very enjoyable too; exactly the kind of writing I like. I am not one for longer poems, but this captivated me. Every line is simply majestic.

This has been waiting to be sent to my favorites.

[Nicole]

Indeed, this is an outstanding one that raises a very interesting scenario in your lines regarding Oedipus. A splendid little connection with Dr. Freud. This is probably my favorite of your works that I've read so far. :)

[Dream Weaver]

This was the most sensational write that I've read in a long time.
Bravo Charles on this outstanding piece!

[brianna vega]

magnificent and i never say that to anyone.

[Erotic Goddess]

Before you, I knew
the Earth as Mother,
and the Sky as Sister,
and the Sea as Wife.
Before you, I knew
the Sun as Father
and the Moon as Brother.
Today they are merely relative.

This was amazing, very well written. It makes you think and it draws a picture that cannot help but be seen. Very great writing...

[Marie Harrison]

What an amazing piece of art. It's going into my library. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Brad]

wow! you're like the gentle side of me...this was so thought provoking...a simplistic real voice asking a simple question about deep fathomless thoughts

[.]

OMG !! Charles, this is magical..your tone is gentle and not force, the poem is not judgemental but probing, questioning...it has a humble, gentle feel especially with the subject matter..I am not a lover of long poem..short attention span but I actually didn't want this it end...a favorite..

[Paula Tsurara]

This is fantastic. I'm not usually a lover of poetry, to be honest, but this one really touches my heart. It's beautifuly tragic and yet uplifting.

[Kristie]

To say that I found this piece to be great would be an understatement. Your use of biblical allusions helped to round this poem into something much bigger than the average questioning of religion. This is an amazing poem, it reflects such a big picture. Very well done!