Poetry challenge: The love of broken things
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A little background
After Amanda responded to Lita's challenge to write a poem about this topic in such a beautiful way, it reminded me that poetry can often capture the essence of emotional subjects far more effectively than prose.
These days, I've been struggling with the subject of faith. I understand that it's a very personal thing, and we're all coming from different places, shaped by our own unique experiences and perceptions, yet there are manifestations of faith, such as war and divisive modes of thinking, that are deeply upsetting to me. I don't want to argue with people about what they believe, and I see the arrogance in thinking that my view of the world is somehow superior, but I wanted to address the subject in a non-confrontational way, and poetry seemed like the perfect outlet.
The poem doesn't exactly fit the title, but I did use each word from the title in the verses, so hopefully that counts for something. :)
The love of broken things
Beliefs and theories
Drilled in; deceiving
Leave innocent children broken and bleeding
The words of god
As written by man
Justify yet another diabolical plan
Science falls short
Of clearing confusion
About damages caused by global pollution
Some are indifferent
Awaiting the rapture
Biding their time here until the hereafter
I try not to judge
But I don’t think god’s glory
Is reserved for the people who heard the right story
I see us as one
In a world without sin
All sharing the kingdom we carry within
Lovers of peace
Letting childish things rest
Entertaining the thought that we’re equally blessed
No need for war
With love as our guide
No books can capture the wisdom inside
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Comments
Melissa:
Love this line:
'But I don’t think god’s glory
Is reserved for the people who heard the right story'
I tend to think of how we understand ourselves and our lives as 'stories' as well. Hmm. Broken philosophies and people. Thank you!
(How's the weather in Tempe? Not that nice here, :))
Hi Melissa - certainly love the theme, rythmn and rhyme in your words , but particularly like the sentiment as in "Entertaining the thought that we’re equally blessed" and the line as quoted by Lita above...cheers
Thank you all for the very kind comments! Lita, I think that's my favorite line also. :) The weather was really nice for a while (mid 70s) but it's been getting really chilly in the evenings now! Well... cold for us anyway. I visited Flag in January once, so I can only imagine what it's like up there... brrrrrr
Ajcor, I appreciate the kind words. That line said something else originally, but I'm glad I changed it. :)
Melissa: Oooh, how I resonate with EACH and every of your words.
My favorite lines were:
" I try not to judge, But I don’t think god’s glory,Is reserved for the people who heard the right story" and
"No need for war. With love as our guide, No books can capture the wisdom inside"
Namaste,
Thank you, VioletSun! That's how I feel when I read what you've written as well. :) Namaste, my friend.
"I see us as one
In a world without sin
All sharing the kingdom we carry within"
The above lines reminded me of John Lennon's song Imagine. I hope more people feel about each other as you do. Thumbs up for a very good poem.
Lovely poem! Nice structure! Gorgeous picture! Thanks! :D
Thanks, countrywomen! Especially for the comparison to John Lennon--I feel honored. :) I was just reading your hub about equal pay for women! Great job covering a difficult topic.
Thanks, Suzanne! I took that photo of some wall art in Cyprus, near the green line. I think the artist did a great job of capturing something beyond definition.
Melissa- Yes it would really be a wonderful world if more people embrace each other. Btw thanks for reading my hub about equal pay. Glad you liked it.
Very good, I loved it! ! This: "No books can capture the wisdom inside" is a great line!
Thanks, Elena!
Hi Melissa,
This is beautiful, and completely echoes my own sentiments about religion.
'I try not to judge, But I don’t think god’s glory, Is reserved for the people who heard the right story"
This is exactly what occurs to me again and again when I hear people saying that we're all destined for the flames if we don't toe the line!
Thank you, Amanda! That was actually one of the first verses that came to me, and the rest of the poem was built up around that. I understand the desire to believe in something, but when people decide to believe that they're superior to everyone else on the planet, I start having some issues with that. :)
Absolutely beautiful poem. Lots of rhythm and wonderful sentiment about life, the state of the world, our beliefs and you're dream of a world without war where everyone works together. Peace and love, Debby
Thank you for the very kind words, Debby! That is my dream and it seems like it would be so simple to accomplish, yet history has proven otherwise. Ah well, hopefully we'll get there one day. Peace and love to you as well!
Melissa - thank you for this - you've put the essence of true religion in verse - and it flows so wonderfully well in its simplicity and its depth. Loved it!
Thank you, Shalini! And it's great to see you back on here. I missed you!
Thank you Melissa :)
Simple, eloquent and absolutely beautiful.
It's so obvious from this that you and I share very much the same philosophy. How odd that we usually express it so differently.
The simplicity and directness of this verse are so perfect, it's just amazing.
Melissa Melissa Melissa ...... I knew you as a good book reviewer but now it turns out that you are a good poet too. Hey are you the author? It seems with each Hub you show yet another talent in you.
Just to let you know about the thing that I liked the most in this poem; Lines that I liked the best are;
"I see us as one
In a world without sin
All sharing the kingdom we carry within"
Hope people start thinking like you, hope they think that "We are all ONE and belong to a single Kingdom. The kingdom of love."
It is great how well you were able to present all the problem in the world in such beautiful words. I really like what you write.
Just for your info, I got inspired from you and so I have decided to write hubs on books review too. Hope I will be able to write as good reviews as you do and hope to get some comments from you.
ColdWarBaby, thank you so much for your kind words! I believe we're kindred spirits in our quest for greater peace, love, and understanding in this world, but I try to put more of a positive spin on things, whereas you're a bit more pragmatic. Yes, our views seems diametrically opposed at times, but I think we're operating from two sides of the same coin.
Packerpack, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. :) And yes, I wrote it. Thanks for the compliments about my writing abilities! I'm very happy to hear that I've inspired you to write a few book reviews--I look forward to reading them. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
That's what I'm talkin' about! Well done!
Why thank you!
I could identify with your mom because even though I do have a faith, I often question it and do not adhere to it the way in which the mainstream does. I have come to learn that faith should be a personal thing, and we are free to define and change or faith as we see fit.
Thanks, SweetiePie. I assume "mom" was supposed to be "poem"? Oddly, the statement is pretty fitting as is because my mom's view on faith is very similar to yours. And I agree, it is a very personal thing. Thanks for your comment!
Yes I meant poem, not sure why I typed that.
Wow! Loveley poem
*applause*
Melissa G, you captured the essence of your thoughts in the words of your poem...Well done, indeed well done...
Thanks for all the positive feedback!
goldentoad says:
11 months ago
bravo. very cool.