The Circularity of Belief

[tectak]

Whose sons are these, with distant  brothers?
They are our young, they grow not old.
Why do they leave, desert their mothers?
For love of God, that  we are told.

What will you do should they be taken?
We pray that death will bring them life.
Is there no peace, are all forsaken?
No, death will  bring each paradise.

Why do you raise, then, sons and daughters?
The Prophet tells us, we obey.
What then, with children gone to slaughter?
We walk with God, we go His way.

Then do you ask your Lord to lead you?
We only ask when we don’t know.
And will He love you, clothe and feed you?
God is great, may his love grow.

And what of you…who lose your offspring?
We give our children in His name.
Why do you cry, if deaths are offerings?
We want them with us, to our shame.

Then love and peace must be denied you?
On earth we serve Him, this we vow.
Surely, your God will walk beside you?
Ah, like your God? Where is he now?

Tectak
2015

[ellajam]

I enjoyed this read, sad as it is. The simplicity of the rhyme served the view for me, glossing over the complexities.

The last line is a bitter kicker. Thanks for posting it.

[Mark A Becker]

Hello Tom-

This poem is a good example of how rhyming can soften the seriousness of a subject. In the wrong hands, rhyming could be a disaster.

The tone is critical, as well, and it thankfully stays quite even, not taking a position regarding religion.

If I were a Muslim, I am not sure how I'd react. Not being a staunch Christian, I don't take offense to the final line, but others, more devote, might take issue.

Too bad more dialogues like this aren't "out there", as the "us vs them" mentality which is so prevalent is not moving anyone in a positive direction. Folks at church pray for harmony, but the song outside those doors remains full of distrust.

Thanks,
... Mark

[NobodyNothing]

I like your attempt at technical precision.  I like that you respect this as a poetic value.  I see it in this poem.

Thematically speaking...why do people still believe all this shit?  If you're not, at the very least, a deist by now, I'm sorry, but the world has passed you by.  And I'm no longer going to appease your feelings and beliefs in any way.  Too old for that.

[tectak]

I like your attempt at technical precision.  I like that you respect this as a poetic value.  I see it in this poem.

Thematically speaking...why do people still believe all this shit?  If you're not, at the very least, a deist by now, I'm sorry, but the world has passed you by.  And I'm no longer going to appease your feelings and beliefs in any way.  Too old for that.

Hello,
I do hope you are not talking to me. I only wrote it, I am not "in" it.
Anyway, I do not believe that there is power in belief but I believe incontrovertibly that there is intrinsic power in believers. Hmm...yes...I wrote that but it ain't in a poem.
Best and thanks,
tectak