all the words
and verses had not changed
he had said these words a thousand times
and a thousand times he said them with faith
but today
he felt as if he were just an actor
one waiting for godot
staring out into the sea of souls
some lost among the coral reefs of disbelief
seeking to find the beacon of truth
that would free them from themselves
others
too sure of what they knew
dawned pious smiles when he said
what they wanted to hear
otherwise
they frowned at him
as he stood in the pulpit
he wondered
could he say those words
without
his faith intact
if they sensed his doubt
would they rise up from the pews
and proclaim him a heretic
or claim that their faith was undaunted
by what they had seen in the world
had they studied the word
as a lover studies their love
they would understand its history
but they do not know or care
who the scribes were
those founders of this society of believers
the codependency of this relationship
means he dares not tell them the truth
his cross would be that of the malefactor
who did not repent
but this man has done nothing
his questions have come with age
and studies to find true meaning
just to answer those daunting questions
formed from so many years of religious grief
wondering how men meeting in secret
could design and decide
on what was best for mankind
a committee
producing sacred writings
marketing their beliefs as if for profit
he wonders am i now a non-believer
or am i like a lover
whose love has waned
over the years
progessing from insatiable passion
to a deeper love and understanding
or is this grounds
for divorce…
For those who wish to read the trigger for this, read: Non-Believing Clergy.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/Non-Believing-Clergy.pdf
Read Between the Minds 
“but today
he felt as if he were just an actor
one waiting for godot…”
The brilliant Mr. Wilde said: “Give man a mask and he will show you who he is.” It is here where the divorce actually happens long before it is overtly manifested in the outside world. The truly interesting thing is that the ones who want to seem most enlightened, free and “genuine” usually expose the largest amount of falseness in the end. And, ultimately, I guess, “all life’s a stage…” The only thing that comes to matter is how much we hurt the ones around us by our play-acting.
Great, great work, as usual! (applause – why don’t these WordPress people provide us with some good audibles? Anyway, for the sounds and smileys I usually have in mind they would need to wreck their brains for half a century and still wouldn’t come up with the right thing).
I am so glad that you like this one…a friend of mine John sent several articles about this and it suddenly became a poem…the articles are from the Washington Post if you are interested to see what inspired the poem…many thanks for your kind words.
good offering for world poetry day.
this is fabulous, the way you equated a man’s walking away from his earlier faith with a divorce.
loved it. it sure is similar.
I have faith in your words.
good, friend
outstanding post,
loved the image and words both…
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/pats-surprise-roses/
awards for you!
Happy Monday!
I once read, “Who are we to question faith”, but the truth lies in , “What are we if we don’t”. For my part it’s good to question, without blindly miandering into realms of beleiving everything were told. Even stoic Stalewarts of religion must have doubt, and with age, your questions get more complex. The “why” comes into the equation moreso than before. Especially when it’s always the innocents that suffer at the hand of disaster.
Religion is deeply personal and exclusively individual. Good work here again. A very thoughtful and insightful poem. Thank you for sharing.
S
Thank you, thank you ….
For those who wish to read the trigger for this, read: Non-Believing Clergy.
Click to access Non-Believing-Clergy.pdf
I really love your blog. Very special, I like your writing and the way you read your poetry.
Sergio
“wondering how men meeting in secret
could design and decide
on what was best for mankind…”
love this.
Pingback: An Open Questioning Mind « Everchanging Perspective
Wow, great piece! I have been away, and it is good to get back to my regular reading.
I think a lot about religion and science, and more and more it occurs tome that a). we are hardwired to ask questions, and b). that as soon as we ask the question we alter the reality, and c). that any answer to any question can only be circumstantial, and not direct. So, everything really is just a story. What matters is the intent — malfeasance or beneficence.
Great poem!
Hi MArtin. I have a gift basket for you, a worthy cause… http://bit.ly/9QQLwW
Faith is a deep ocean
Enjoy your pondering
Happy Monday my friend
oh my lovely one there dear…
simply splendid.. the emotions have come out well..
i have tagged you for a wonderful cause..
i hope you accept it and appreciate it
http://megzone.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/blog-ads-come-do-the-blog-children-miracle-network/
A fascinating Poem on a fascinating subject. I always really enjoy your poems, this one is definitely among my favourites – plenty of food for thought!
very cool. loved the imagery. especially loved the line making the comparison to an actor waiting for godot. i can relate to the poem in that in my desire to discover truth, i find that i am always questioning everything, even myself. as a result, when it comes to religion the only faith i have is in the fact that i don’t know, and probably never will as long as i live, after which death will provide it’s own answers…and possibly even more questions.
it’s this …stuff like this that makes poetry consequential and important, and viable to the moment …
Doug…thank you every so much…poetry I believe must from time to time…repeat its historical purpose…again many thanks!
Reading this was a pleasure! 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful words!
It’s interesting to consider the continuum older members of the faith fall into. Either they allow their questions to eat holes in their faith until it’s worn completely through, or they settle into a sort of gracious camaraderie with the unknown.
Some must search for knowledge to underpin their faith (thereby undercutting the very nature of faith); but the precious few–those who have come to know intimately their own shortcomings and humanity–relax into the more Socratic understanding that the only thing they know is how little they truly know.
I absolutely loved this poem! I must have read it over 3x! So thought provoking…..Thank you for sharing this.
In my opinion, you have exactly pinpointed how Religion and Institutions often obscure the development of their followers’ faiths. They so blindly believe in practices and doctrines that they miss out on the truth of what was originially meant to be a philosophy for a way of living; not to establish a religious institution.
Really lovely 🙂
OH MY WORD!!! What a great, thoughtful poem! Excellent 🙂
A very vivid piece! I found it quite thought-provoking and enthralling, and it gave me pause as I ponder on religion…fine work. Also, as a first time commenter, I just want to say I love that you include readings of your work with each addition. A lovely touch!
Thank you… Bryan Borderland suggested that I add the vocal readings…I’ve been a bit nervous about it…so thanks for the comments.