Heaven And Hell

I would rather ride on earth in an ox cart with a free circulation, than go to heaven in the fancy car of an excursion train and breathe a malaria all the way. - Thoreau

both welcomed and unwelcomed

life has a way of doing things to us

making us into what we never thought we'd be, or worse not caring

holding secrets of ourselves

spilling those of others

oblivious to many

as we blow out the candles adorning crowded birthday cakes

heat ever increasing as our balance of years dwindles

days can be long and wearisome

nights far too short, rest hard to come by

winters stark, bare and frigid

summers drenching

some sleeping with bankbooks 'neath overstuffed pillows

some atop flat, yellowed, bookmarked bibles

others over rotten teeth for tinkerbell

no need to buy what you yourself already sell

i can't help but wonder which is heaven and which is hell

Author's Note

“Whether he sleeps or wakes, whether he runs or walks, whether he uses a microscope or a telescope, or his naked eye, a man never discovers anything, never overtakes anything or leaves anything behind, but himself. Whatever he says or does he merely reports himself. If he is in love, he loves; if he is in heaven, he enjoys, if he is in hell, he suffers. It is his condition that determines his locality.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Pete, I really like Thoreau's comment... man is responsible and does for himself....no one pushes him ; he seems to land where his mood lays...and that's what i think you're saying as well....man has control over his emotions and actions and that will determine if he goes to heaven or hell....yet you also say that "life has away of doing things to us"....yet I believe that we have the power of choice...I think your'e saying that life itself can do strange things to us...and your mood here is on the darker side..."days can be long and wearisome"....oblivious, holding secrets...you are still wondering what life has dealt you and whether you will go to heaven or hell.... very deep and complex
Warmly, B

[Pete]

very astute thoughts as usual. you point out the things that make knowing confusing. perhaps it's just a state of mind.

[Inkspire]

Interesting poem
Life is unpredictable
"as we blow out the candles adorning crowded birthday cakes
heat ever increasing as our balance of years dwindles"
Loved the line

[Pete]

thanks for the share. save me a piece of cake.

[Amanda Reynolds]

These two lines you wrote, WOW!
"as we blow out the candles atop crowded birthday cakes
heat ever increasing as our balance of years dwindles"

[Pete]

as marie antoinette said, "let them eat cake". thank you for the kind share amanda. keep well.

[K. Louis]

A wonderful reflection on life and how it wears us down over time, making us into people we may not recognize.

[Pete]

indeed. i don't think we realize how much of a toll it extracts. thanks for reviewing, appreciated.

[Beren]

This reminded me the show “The Good Place”, has a great message for heaven and hell.
Good starting line and great flow till the end. Loved it sir.

[Pete]

there's a good place and a bad place. thanks for sharing thoughts Beren.

[Costa Siwale]

Sharp and vivid imagery!
The last few lines had me wondering, is it heaven and hell?
A very reflective and moving piece.

[Pete]

thank you. appreciate your time and thoughts.

[ETERNITY]

Lucifer, the angel created to protect the Mercy seat, deceived a third of the angels which were billions and billions. Now, those angels have to be born into flesh to be able to choose Christ as Salvation. But Lucifer, who was cast to the earth and called Satan, beguiled Eve to pollute the bloodline of the coming Savior.
So, we choose. Evil is usually fun. Good is usually boring.
But compare this boring life which is only a flash compared to ETERNITY which is FOREVER.

[Pete]

do we choose or does it choose us ...

[ETERNITY]

Pete, Pete, Pete.
You know we choose. Some things do seem like predestiny. But ultimately, it's our choice, love.

[Pete]

... then how do you explain bad things happening to good people and good things happening to bad people ...

[ETERNITY]

Pete, in this world, the Bible says, it rains on the unjust as well as the just. But The Great White Throne Judgement Day is definitely coming where everyone will be judged by all the same rules. Do you know Christ? No+Eternal separation from God. Yes=Eternity of peace, love, and happiness with our Creator!