Once I thought that I must pray
long and hard each night and day
and if I did I would be blessed
with all I needed, peace and rest
then I finally woke and realized
I was basing my whole life on lies
The same God I’d been told is love
looking down from heaven above
was ready to throw me into Hell
for being human enough to fail
bearing religion like a heavy sack
on fragile bent and breaking back
expecting perfection from myself
giving away my emotional health
for those who didn’t give craps
stabs in the back and face slaps
often dispensed with Bible verses
til fearful shells loaded in hearses
leave this earth for a another place
as an angry God turns away his face
and faith in Jesus was not enough
only the perfect ones and the tough
could be good enough to enter in
if they suffered well and had no sin
And then one day in a forest green
a vision of deep mysteries unseen
An eagle in the sky called my name
And I would never again be the same
droplets of white light dancing on trees
eagles, air and trees, I was part of these
soft breeze imparted touch of his hand
whispers of love in a hate-filled land
And God, who is love, was everywhere
each blade of grass and atom of air
he lived in my heart, was in my soul
part of each other since days of old
and then I knew for I hadn’t before
faith alone opens heaven’s door
and destroys all the captive’s fear
when God reveals himself so near
imperfect I am, imperfect I’ll be
until God,who is love, sets me free
dead religion gropes for God’s hand
faith is alive when God holds man
and honest prayer like breath ascends
where fear ends and love begins
8/3/2009 La Belle Rouge
* Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves. All things are bound together, all things connect.
A WORK THAT BARES THE SOUL AND REVEALS HOW ONE'S SOUL COMMUNES WITH OUR GOD...THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS OF 'PRAYING' TO THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WELL WRITTEN WORK...ENJOYED. GOD BLESS. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
LaBelle,
The 2nd stanza says it all, LaBelle. God IS everywhere, no one can escape His love. LaBelle, this should be read by everyone, especially people who don't believe in God.
LaBelle,
The shift from stanzas one to two makes this poem so worthwhile, a veil lifted from conventional wisdom and belief, the taught word to personal awareness and genuine spiritual experience. Among your very best, and that's saying something.
You have penned what most of us have felt, Belle...and most beautifully. The trip of faith is so well explained in your words that those faltering along the way will regain sgrength. The music enhances what you write; beautiful both...
Blessings and Love - Micke
Wonderful write, Belle; and I love the music! Fantastic; brava!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
Reviewed by Georg Mateos
Reviewed on August 3, 2009
For those that have read "La Divina Comedia" on Dante Alighieri's own language will find this poem more than near of what the bard wrote about.
Sometimes the apparent savagery of one so almighty befuddle us to the extent to go shaking merciless our fragile faith until it go to pieces.
Then, we have only a poet to remind us...
Well written proclamation of lightness and finding oneself. This poem is very earthy and spiritual. I love how you wove your words in wonderful visuals..
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
Reviewed by Dark Knight (Reader)
Reviewed on August 3, 2009
yeah the world has enough dead religion and hypocrisy-well done
As a dissillunioned fallen RC but one who still believes in a higher power I felt this one deeply, for although I have still not found my spriituality in the world I feel I have found it in my soul. Thank you for sharing such and honest and open write that says what a lot of us feel.
Carole~
Be always safe,
Karen
The 2nd stanza says it all, LaBelle. God IS everywhere, no one can escape His love. LaBelle, this should be read by everyone, especially people who don't believe in God.
Blessings my friend,
~Linda
The shift from stanzas one to two makes this poem so worthwhile, a veil lifted from conventional wisdom and belief, the taught word to personal awareness and genuine spiritual experience. Among your very best, and that's saying something.
John
Blessings and Love - Micke
-gene.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
Sometimes the apparent savagery of one so almighty befuddle us to the extent to go shaking merciless our fragile faith until it go to pieces.
Then, we have only a poet to remind us...
Georg
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
hugs
fee