Tags
anger, belief, flash fiction, forgiveness, God, infect, poetry, Trifecta
Week 69’s Trifecta challenges us to use Webster’s third given meaning of the word infect:
3a : contaminate, corrupt (the inflated writing that infects such stories)
b : to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support (trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm) We are allowed 33-333 words.
© Michael Flippo | Dreamstime.com
As always the Trifecta challenges me to explore new and scary terrain. This entry fits that description on two levels: I don’t write poetry and I am an atheist. The subject for this one evolved from a recent conversation with a respected friend.
Rangewriter 
Reminded me of this song, there’s two versions of it, one sung by a man and the other by a woman: XTC – Dear God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHmTqoLjlXo
and this one: Sarah McLachlan – Dear God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrueVp_kuZ8 The second one could almost be the voice of the person in your poem. You should write more poetry, this is very good. Thank you so much for your nice comments and your support, I really appreciate it. You’re very kind.
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See, S.O., you’ve inspired me. 🙂 Love both the songs. The video with the first one is really good. You really have your finger on the music/video repertoire.
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Sounds a bit like Job, screaming to God to make sense of this world.
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Any biblical reference is by sheer accident. I’m totally ignorant. 😉
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Poet you can call yourself by now.
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You’re too kind. Thank you.
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Wow. I agree with Brudberg, you may call yourself a poet.
Your words leave me feeling sad.
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Thanks, Lenore. That’s how I was feeling when I wrote it.
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I once read about a group of Jews who put God on trial for the Holocaust after WWII. When asked if that didn’t conflict with their faith, they said it wasn’t the arguing or cursing that God couldn’t abide – but indifference.
Your touching poem – and yes, I believe you to be poetic – reminded me of that. Although you confess to not be among the believers, you are not indifferent.
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I read about Jews putting God on trial, too, but I’ve forgotten the reference. I think you only need be human to care. And thanks. I can’t identify with the poetic side, but maybe I need to exercise that muscle a bit more.
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Thoughtful, moving poem.
How can someone be angry at someone they believe does not exist ?
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Excellent question, Sybil. I’m not the angry one here, though. I am mystified how anyone could remain angry for so long over issues which, were I a believer, I can’t fathom God having anything to do with. But then, that’s just cuz I can’t take any religious texts literally and I can’t believe in any “being” that could/would reach down and micro-manage the individual lives and deaths of each individual being on earth. Religion is a such a mystery to me.
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I thought this was quite poetic and emotional….I think there is talent there! Oh, and the topic was interesting given your faith background.
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Thanks so much, Janna.Your kind comments are inspiring.
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You take up a challenge, and then deliver a moving piece, Linda. This is memorable.
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Thank you. Your praise is honey to my soul.
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wow this was powerful and sad and emotional
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I’m glad it did all that. 😉 Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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There is a belief in God’s existence even if you claim to be an atheist since you seem to address God in your words. I hope you can find the peace and answers you are looking for. Very raw truthful words. Very bravely written.
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Your sentiments are kind and heartfelt, Sini. Fortunately, for me, I was not expressing my own thoughts, but those of a friend who is a generation older than I, yet still not at peace over this issue. That sort of breaks my heart, if you know what I mean.
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Vent that rage!
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Fortunately, it’s not my rage. I borrowed it from a friend.;-)
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Whether you wear the label of Poet or Athiest, or not, does not matter as much as what you have written; it is poetic and insightful and has moved those who have read it—which is what good poetry is suppose to do. And your insight and your humanness as Linda—and mine as the person you wrote about and you believe you do not understand—are revealed by what you’ve put so well in words. We are all part of the Mystery any way we respond to it, understand it or name it. The meaning of it is in living life fully—and you, and I hope I, are doing that. Keep writing.
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Oh gosh, thanks, Bob. I was a little worried about how you might respond to seeing yourself here, as I knew you would if you read it. Mystery, yes! All of it. Especially what happens when I let myself respond to these funny little writing prompts that seem to unlock whatever is fulminating in the back of my mind at that particular moment.
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XTC – Dear God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHmTqoLjlXo
and this one: Sarah McLachlan – Dear God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrueVp_kuZ8
Powerful powerful
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These are the very same 2 that Scriptor Obscura linked to her comment also! I especially like the first one.
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