Shadow

How does this god of yours see

this small blue speck floating

in a black dark sea,

a needle in the darkness.

Does this reflected light give him pause.

Are we set apart from all

the other manifold dangling dots.

Would he turn to notice

our sun as it bursting,

swallows whole this tiny galaxy.

Is he warmed by its glow.

Does he know the chill of night

so cold it steals the flesh from bone.

Can he hear the earth shaken

to the core, its insides spilling

toward the heavens,

the ocean that jumps the shore,

rips birds from their nests,

a mother from its child.

Does he hunger, does he thirst,

know the longing, the despair

this finite journey brings.

Would he watch 

a tender leaf as it floating, falls.

Would he catch it,

hold it in his hand,

bring it gently to the ground,

whisper comforting words

as it lays dying.

...

This imaginary, useless god you made,

does he have a name

you did not give him.

A statue would serve better,

lacking malice,

as it watches over candles,

knows how to cast a shadow,

a hand to hold in darkness,

a shoulder for a weary bird

to rest from flight,

a smile for a passerby,

a reason to look up

to a thing of beauty on display.

Better this, than a god who hides in shadow,

excepting blood sacrifice at his leisure.

When first we tasted knowledge and saw beyond the gate

and when first we built a tower from which to see,

he has erected flaming swords to block our way

and shook the earth to tear it down, slowing ever

our climb upon this chastened hill

to find a calmer shore...

How long oh man, must we,

with these blinding scales abide.

Have we not yet grown too

old for all of this?

 

 

Reviews

[Frieda P]

Very passionate write, so much imagery to choose from.

'can he hear the earth shaken
to the core, its insides spilling
toward the heavens'

Stunning, your words screamed softly to me and reached into my soul.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts, Freida! Screaming softly, I like that. I think I was doing that a little. :)

[Frieda P]

I know, I could tell. ;-)

[@]

Don't know.
I saw him smile in a glint on Cottesloe beach one day...

[Kristina Moulaison]

I've seen him too, but not clearly enough to build a temple around. Thanks for reading! :)

[@]

Oh I agree... unless that temple be our body

[Kristina Moulaison]

I agree, but mine is not the god I was speaking about.

[Kristina Moulaison]

I think I was ranting there, something I seldom do, about gods people throw stones for. Hoping someday our gods grow up enough with us that they stop needing to do that.

[@]

I understand. Have asked questions like these myself...