Belief

Poetry

The fallen leaf a mere magic carpet, 

floating through eternity to land and crumble in sepia ash. 

A prophecy smudged in the mind of a legend. 

Magic entertained belief until faith tried to explain the miracle. 

The joke was there, wasn’t any magic to begin with, belief was all in the believing. 

In the past, he was before his time, a futurist now nothing more than a current event. 

A prodigy turned prodigal to escape the present. 

Perfect storms ebb and flow, 

mans religions come and go.

Immovable objects taunt unstoppable forces 

all sieved through the manes of wild horses. 

Author's Note

Yeah... don't know why I like this, a darling to be sure. Didn't Stephen King say to kill your darlings? I guess this one slipped through the horses manes...

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

This is intriguing, Roarke, a wonderful allegorical look at a history of man's beliefs. The magic I suppose could be Druidic in nature, as a way to control the followers and then magic was replaced by faith and faith asked the people to believe in something they couldn't see...but that's why its been around in its many different forms through millennia. People need to believe in something bigger than themselves.
The Prodigal...the Futurist lost at the moment in the clamor to denounce belief.

The last four lines are an apt finish. Good thing it slipped through.

A good write.

[roarke]

Thank you for the read and impressions Ted, I tend to write poems/prose with large brush strokes because I think it lends to the reader to finish the fine strokes in their own way. Thanks for stopping by.

[h d e rushin]

in that age of absolutism Copernicus was afraid of religious objections to his thesis, way more than astronomical ones:

"magic entertained belief until faith tried to explain the miracle". And like the 1500's, the 2020's are no different in terms of belief since faith seems to trump all notions of logic and humanity. Magic is only magic if the trick is never exposed. I am not religious, which means, I do not think of "Church" as a place where facts can be changed to fit the congregation. I like this poem. It brings the things of life into greater focus....dana

[roarke]

Thank you for your read and comments, I'm not a poet, I do write prose occasionally, I'm not sure why, but this one poem of mine attracts a lot of attention. Glad you stopped by.

[alanwgraham]

Top class poetry here Roarke. You are treading through time, past and future, belief and prophesy. Too many imponderables for my literal mind but there's a magical feel about your poem. I would be more than pleased to have written this.
Regards,
Alan

[roarke]

Hello Alan, thank you for the read and compliments. I'm not a poetry/prose guy, I use such as exercise to help enrich and improve my fiction writing. Out of all the poems I"ve ever posted on WC, this one for some reason gets all the attention.

[SkinlessFrank]

Lovely....,reminds me to keep meditating on rock and sky, warblers and black bears.

[R.E. Ray]

A thought-provoking poem, Roarke. Our religions change to meet the ebb and flow of societal and cultural shifts, everyone demanding acceptance and rejecting judgment. Seems today we have "faith," take them or leave them beliefs that change with the leaves. We praise the oaks and maples in their fall splendor and walk on their waste in the winter, and the cycle repeats, man taking or leaving nature as he pleases.

[roarke]

Thank you R.E. Ray for the read and comments. I didn't expect so many reactions to this write. You've perceived everything I was trying to convey. All we can do is find something to believe in.

[emmajoy]

' In the past, he was before his time, a futurist now nothing more than a current event. ' Perhaps that could apply to any fine man: a man with obvious flaws yet who cared/cares for as many others who fill that space in which he lives or lived when seen, felt, believed - credible.

Faith is what it is perhaps, trust in the hope of knowing that someone or something is forever present. Perhaps a selfishness but i defy anyone's permanent belief in Self alone - even the thought of that is a defiance. 'Applies even more in this indifferent near jaded society.. cynical, critical and all other similar endings. The calm of all understanding is nothing to be ashamed of or to be disbelieved. Tis to each his or her own, ready to live that island home of unhappy isolation! Your writing is yet more of the subjects thrown into the ring to be considered.. and is. Exemplary writing, appreciated but.. :)

[roarke]

Hello Em, you offer deep and complex thoughts here. This prose/poem has gotten much dialogue about it, and that is surprising to me as I was just crafting some "macro" archetypes... and you are right, this piece is definitely one of many subjects, or hints at subjects to be thrown into the ring of social conjecture. My two most frequent themes/conflicts are man vs man and man vs himself....and that has to be before he "leaves the island".... but although you might not think so, I do agree with you.

[Papaya]

Sometimes I wonder if faith is an excuse to believe in magic. I enjoyed the read for the thoughts and discussion it provokes. I really enjoyed the opening too, the imagery of a leaf as a magic carpet was "magical" and creative. Very cool.

[Chris]

I think that perhaps we both - you AND I - need to write more.

Beliefs are personal until they are forced via perceived threat upon another.

[roarke]

I concur absolutely.

[Robert Trakofler]

I love the proseful define before the rhyme. You pack a lot into these lines in both forms and both are very pleasing to read and compliment very nicely. Belief that's a hard subject to write of... sometimes i think of it as a need.. need of define vs existential anxiety, need of the assuage to fear therein. (The sentence of sentience!) "Immovable objects taunt unstoppable forces" that line, good sir, is all golden. I recently wrote of this subject as well and it is need of a good thrashing my inner editor hasn't given in to my ego as of yet:)
At the risk of to much Bunny Babble I also have to add that one of favorite possessions is a small roman pendant of a horse from around the year 50 BC it is in full gallop and his mane is figured very prominently. I own an antique store, art gallery and vegan restaurant very few items make thru my sieve to keep but that is one of them. Enjoyed your write and contemplation

[roarke]

Thank you BB. To me, "belief" is an ability apart from any religious definitions. The need for man to define things, is one of his flaws. I'm very glad to see in reading this you perceived the essence, excellent, thank you. Antique store, art gallery, restaurant???? Wow. What kind of art? The pendant sound both cool and valuable. Interesting stuff BB.

[Robert Trakofler]

your writing craves curiosity i read it many times and will be reading more! The store is called the Zenith i sell local artists works in Pittsburgh as well some estate finds the place has gradually morphed into a giant installation piece I remake the stuff that doesn't sell into new things I also use the place for performances

[roarke]

Good to hear art is alive and well in your area. Keep up the good work. Local artists appreciate that kind of support.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and reminds me of religion...and how some just have to have something to fall back on...to float down from the tree of knowledge on...
to find solace in a God that could exist or not...but we need the belief just to get through the day.
j.

[roarke]

For me, belief is an ability separate from religion. If one doesn't have the capacity to believe, it doesn't matter what religion or philosophy.

[Ken Simm.]

A true mesh of fine words, phrases I wish I'd written and subtle levels. That is why I stand against you and I do know why I like this.

[roarke]

heh, you stand against me Ken??? Thanks for reading my attempts at poetry prose... I only posted because someone else was curious. I BELIEVE we stand together on many things ART and HUMANITY... lol.

[Ken Simm.]

So right there my friend. I just disagree with you on some things like whether this was worth it or not.
And mustn't forget we both live in mountains.

[roarke]

AH!... yes, my friend Ken, all things are worth it to those brave enough to try. Fame and fortune? BAH, ADVENTURE and ENLIGHTENMENT!!! hahaha