God and Satan

[abu nuwas]

God and Satan in limbo
Were having their usual chat
Which passed for an Annual Appraisal
When one began talk of a hat.

'It's a simple thing to do
If you really want to know
That they truly worship you
And not some other So-and-So!

Despite their reason, you can say
A scarf will demonstrate
Their faith, just as they pray;
So a trilby'll seal their fate'

'I'm not sure that I agree'
Countered the other with thought
'No, you never do, you see,
And that's just why we fought'

[Leanne]

I'm sorry I missed this the first time round, Edward -- I do love the idea of Lucy and The Big G arguing over whose followers wear the best headgear. It seems particularly pertinent given the emphasis these days on what one wears upon one's noggin in what country.

[billy]

i wear a Stetson in church

[abu nuwas]

i wear a Stetson in church

I am ashamed to say that I thoughtlessly slipped in a layer! I was thinking, that maybe, if there is a Big G, it might be that his wish would be that people should use the minds with which he had endowed them. And if there were a S---n, might not his intent be to dissuade them from using Reason, and rely instead on superstition, and belief that, for example, wearing some sort of covering on one's head would be just the thing. This is common to Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

I don't know whether a Stetson would count in a Synagogue; perhaps a Reformed one.

I notice that this little ditty is devoid of poetic device, no figure of speech, no colour. Mea culpa, mmea culpa, mea maxima culpa...

[Leanne]

I think you'll find that in most circles, rhyme counts rather highly as a poetic device :p

[Erthona]

I had to look up the term trilby, I'm still not sure I know for sure, but I get the point.

This is a good poem Ed, although I am not sure I have it right. It appears that Satan is for black and white thinking. If you wear a scarf your cool, and if not you're going to hell. God on the other hand seems to think that faith should not be determined by slavish devotion to an external marker, so he disagrees with Satan. Thus they fight because Satan wants a clear cut way to identify the sinners from the saints, so to speak. The implication seems to be that those who follow blindly are following Satan, and those who think for themselves are following God. Which of course goes way beyond merely a head covering, it would include all the things religions say one must do to demonstrate ones faith: people who take communion have no more faith than those who wear headgear. So to me this seems an indictment on all religions, and the headgear is simply the outward demonstration required by the different religions. Thus most, if not all religions require we check our reasoning abilities at the door, for one should never challenge dogma, for it is unsupportable.

Despite their reason, you can say
A scarf will demonstrate

I also think the varying lenght lines of accentual verse work well here, as they lengthen or contract depending on what needs being said, and the abab rhyme pattern helps hold it together as well as creating emphasis.

Dale

[abu nuwas]

I think you'll find that in most circles, rhyme counts rather highly as a poetic device :p

Ah! I'll try harder next time.......

[Erthona]

It is for the most part trimeter in accentual verse. Which would probably constitute a poetic device.

PS I just want it noted that I had written and posted my reply before yours came up, so my conjecture was purely based on the poem, and not your comments Ed.

Dale

[abu nuwas]

It is for the most part trimeter in accentual verse. Which would probably constitute a poetic device.

PS I just want it noted that I had written and posted my reply before yours came up, so my conjecture was purely based on the poem, and not your comments Ed.

Dale

Shit! I shall have to work even harder next time.....

I have only now seen your long comment. The only thing is, you cannot tell who wants what.

I am by no means anti-religion, except when it is prayed in aid of policies of killing and destruction, or injustice, as I think the case in Palestine. But I must not start on that...

[Erthona]

I think the only proper use of prayer, is to pray for wisdom, tolerance, and enlightenment to what a total idiot I am being!