Offshoot

If Nature is our mother, then God is our father. - Thoreau

voice croaking like a toad as i lift up my voice to praise the giver

spirit seasoned with ginger

soul rooted like licorice

the hothouse song is on my lips

complex as orchid petals

i can't keep my feet still

living on this fray

everyday is sunday

to hell with black monday

trusty broadsword of faith and truth cuts a swath through the dark night

clearing a path to the luminous day

after all

i was born knowing the right way

Author's Note

"It seems to me that the god that is commonly worshipped in civilized countries is not at all divine, though he bears a divine name, but is the overwhelming authority and respectability of mankind combined. Men reverence one another, not yet God." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your last 2 lines are a slap in the face that I've felt like giving to some holy-rollers in my day (before I stopped caring about their evangelistic snubs & prescriptions). I chafe at how chaste & regimented some expect us to be, so we can be worthy of praising God. I'm amazed at how so much praying sounds all the same, but it sounds nothing like the way these people converse with a friend who knows them well. This poem tripped my switch but I'll stop my rant right here now! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

hmm, a complex, touchy subject for sure - praise, religion, faith, truth, love etc. we each live our own beliefs. i was speaking of being happy, fulfilled and grounded. just saying, "what a beautiful day" is a prayer. we can all be called out for being hypocrites at times. thank you for sharing deep thoughts ... :)

[barleygirl]

Interesting to observe the contrast between what was in my mind after reading & what was in yours while writing!

[Pete]

that's how we grow and widen our horizons, right - sharing thoughts ... :)

[Dave Brown]

I think he would squirm, before even jokingly calling anyone else a worm, in case he himself may be considered a germ
Just kidding

[Pete]

lol. i can live with being a germ - as long as it's not covid-19 ... :)

[Dave Brown]

...........so true..........

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete... you give me a different perspective... we are not certain why we are so complex... however, we can observe each other and alter our course. The depth of human nature is awesome as are the Sun and Moon.
When the Sky is the darkest... the Stars shine the brightest. I feel wishful when I read your poetry. gently, Pat

[Pete]

indeed, human nature is pat (as diverse as the lilies of the field). better we grow and show the true colors of our flowers. wishful fulfills my intent with this one. thanks ever so much ... :)