Another Sunday and I will not go
In bondage be their broken link
In a broken chain
Bringing the scourge upon the earth.
My heroes are he who made the iron axe to float
And he who called two she bears from the woods
And he who sang of lovers' breasts
And she who drove a nail through enemy temples
And he who turned the other cheek
Because he could turn the water into wine
Against which they preach
While filling their mouths with the flesh of beasts.
Inactive, yes.
Excommunicate, not yet.
Either way to their telestial kingdom I head.
I have been there before
And peed on myself in fear
Walking its gray dust an innocent.
At least my friend the raven's there.
But today while there's breath in my chest
I fear not to kneel on the frost-covered ground
At my church of unhewn stone
A chorus of heavenly geese overhead.
I really like the list of heroes in the second stanza, and the way you brought these thoughts to conclusion in the final stanza.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerry.
DeleteI like the sound of your church! Open to the sky , the geese and the frost! Lovely poem and thought-provoking too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I've been to other churches, but this is my favorite one.
DeleteWowzers! Stunning. Especially the church of unhewn stone. I so drank up every word, Libby!
ReplyDeleteThanks for imbibing. The bar's not well stocked, but always open.
DeleteLibby, I enjoyed your heroes. And your church of unhewn stone. I liked the words 'fear not to kneel,' as church to me is not about fear. Your words provoked a lot of thought, Libby. Thanks for posting at Poetry Pantry.
ReplyDelete"There is no fear in love." Amen. And thanks for letting me post at Poetry Pantry!
DeleteThis piece quilts together so many natural elements... the stars, the forest, beasts of earth and sky. Rapturous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I could use a "rapture" today.
DeleteGreat description and emotion conveyed here Libby. My favorite is the final stanza.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite, too. Hope is my greatest emotion - don't know how I would get by without it.
DeleteThis poem conjures up breathtaking images Libby...absolutely mesmerizing:))
ReplyDeleteThank you, Panchali.
Deletethis short saga of resolute faith is quite remarkable.the last three lines were quite awesome.
ReplyDeletethe use of 'telestial' was intriguing.
My core of faith is resolute - the trappings jingle for awhile then fall off. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI really enjoyed the references here...brought me back to lessons taught in my childhood. I agree with Abin, "telestial" was intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jack. In my religion the telestial is not the kingdom to think upon or aspire to, but oh well for me. It is what it is, or isn't.
Deletea great read - as always. The heavenly geese were over here this week. I love them flying over. Thanks you.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love the geese, wish I could fly with them.
Deletemy favorite place to pray... beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI knew I wasn't the only one to say my prayers outside!
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