In the Red

They said there is no more

Black or white but only grey

No more wrong or right

Nor night or day

 

If it feels good

Then it’s okay

Follow your heart

It will lead the way

 

They said forget

The things they taught yesterday

That’s old news

The world has changed

 

There’s no more black or white

Life is one big array

No more wrong or right

Nor night or day

 

I listened not to God

But, what the people say

Follow the feelings

Any which way

 

Now I’m lost

But, I’m to blame

I always knew they were wrong

I just didn’t want to change

 

It was easier

To say me, me, me

Do what I want

Never responsibility, accountability or morality

 

Now upon death’s door

With nothing of worth to show

I’m praying that there’s no god

“For what you reap you must surely sow”

Reviews

[William Liston]

I like the message of this piece. Though I'm not religious at all, I still found this piece meaningful because it shows how we can follow the crowd for the mere sake of fitting it, just to realize that it wasn't worth it at all. Along with the message, I also liked the subtle irony in the last stanza, with the speaker "praying" that there isn't a god.

- William Liston

[Michael G. Smith]

Well thank you for the great review and for sharing your perspective.

[Gee]

There is no right or wrong way to live unless you believe in being judged. And if that be the case, the first 20 years of life will see me going down, the next 35 up
Like this Michael

[Michael G. Smith]

Or you know we are going to be judged but, that's for another site, lol. Thanks for reading and your insights.

[Cameron Berry]

I really felt this piece, and you did a nice job with repetition. It is quite an epidemic of nihilism going around and you're not the only one. If we trace back to our origins as beings we can find along the way, ways to hope and peace. The ending expressed the sorrow fraught in this poem nicely. Good work.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you so much. Comments such as this are inspiring and make writing worth the effort.

[Kesha]

The way you end your pieces always seems to give me the chills, this one makes me think the person did something awful & drastic, for why else would he hope there was no God? For if there is a God then he surely would end up in hell, for why else would it end with that quote? I enjoyed this, nicely woven piece.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you. That quote is actually scripture right from the Bible. Christ also said in the scriptures to paraphrase "if you know me and then turn away it would be better you not be born". Matthew 26:24. In certain religions interpret hell as an actual place others understand the doctrine such as I that hell is our consciousness when removed from divinity or the suffering of the soul because of its burden by sin. The poem plays to the extreme because that's what poetry does. I have been here but thanks to the atonement of Christ i am able to repent and be free of sin for a short while. Thank you for your insights.

[Kesha]

I very much enjoyed this piece & thank you for that tidbit of information :) have a lovely day

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you for your insights also.

[Ana B.]

hmmm. I like the theme of this. I always thought that the phrase '' there is no right or wrong, just grey'' is such a cop out, people were always eager to cast the weight of their decision on something else, anything else. We are the only ones responsible for the black and white of our lives. Loved this :)

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you for your comments. My understanding is right and wrong are divine principles and gray is a wisdom of this world to ease the guilt and responsibilities of self as you state.

[KT-B]

Good work Michael really enjoyed this one - oh how much easier life would be not to care about consequences of actions! I have a strong faith too that keeps me on the straight and narrow and I do believe we will all be judged when we meet our maker - food for thought for sure - anyway when I do the wrong thing I have a conscience about it which definitely helps :)

[Michael G. Smith]

So right you are. When we recognize truth in gospel principles and we rebel against them our hearts and mind in concert ping us with guilt. The greatest thing I have ever discovered is that I am born of a divine royal lineage. I'm so grateful we share these same truths. I was going to write beliefs but theres a greater progression beyond this defined "knowing" without a doubt. And to me it sounds like you are there with me in this testimony.

[KT-B]

absolutely - 100% :)

[Stacy Purvis]

Wow. I'm astounded at this incredible, valuable piece you've shared with us today. So much passion and truth here.
Amazing work, my friend. Amazing.

[Michael G. Smith]

Why thank you Anastasia (such a beautiful name). Your kind words make the effort all worth it.

[Stacy Purvis]

👏
B r a v o

[Giulia King]

Omg! I love this poem! So well written and just amazing. Well done :)

[Michael G. Smith]

Gullia, (he wrote adrenalized) you indulge me with these great reactions.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

This is an interesting and thought provoking piece. I feel doing what we want has its merits but at what costs? If it is in line with not hurting the others then I think it's completely okay. Listening to what people say never brings peace our way either. Your last line brings a finality to the whole thing.

I felt in this stanza:

"I listened not to God
But, what the people say
Follow the feelings
Any which way"

The last line seems pretty off to me when I read it aloud in the sense of rhythm with the rest..

I liked the message in this piece 😊

[Michael G. Smith]

Give me some of your suggestions. This is a personal piece. I started my life with no moral compass, didn't even no what was. Everyone counseled the same: as long as it feels good and doesn'T affect others it's okay. Yet, when I gained a testimony of Christ and began living gospel principles I discovered a happiness which I never knew existed. Now, I'm not preaching but just giving background on the meaning here. I want suggestions how you believe the wrap up could be better but I need to keep the last line. Thanks again.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Hmm I didn't read this piece from a spiritual/religious pov so I can't agree or disagree with what you say. Happiness is not related to a religion or something, rather it's the inner peace which brings it on. Also acceptance of the situation one is in... I'm not preaching either 😉

About the suggestion, it could be :
I listened not to God
But, what the people would say;
following the feelings
which ever way.

This is obviously my suggestion, since you asked. Ignore it if it's not to your liking 😊

You're welcome! 😊