Rationale

A single ray meets the terrain

          breaking through the gloom…

 

… and Faith tugs my soul

 

When desolate shadows

render me hollow,

in the echoes I find comfort

 

Yes, I hear the skeptic,

          the cynic, the misanthrope,

          and reason behind the doubt…

 

Still, I seek,

and hope,

and praise

 

In ritual

          and ancient creed

          in sacrament and vow

 

Because,

the rent in the clouds

bears the promise of the Jordan…

 

           “My beloved…”

Author's Note

I am often asked how I can still have faith, being an educated person. I suppose to a skeptic, there is no rationale at all, but every time I see a ray of sunlight coming through a cloud, I am filled with awe, and think that there has to be something bigger than us...

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

I will quote a line from my favorite children's book, The Tale of Despereaux:

"Hope is a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.

And often hope is entwined with faith. I really don't think anyone should have to justify their faith. Your poem is wonderful and I really like how you structured it.

[s y e]

That's an amazing book....

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Blue - Hope is indeed ridiculous, and wonderful...
Sorry for the delayed reply - I just saw this...

[Sheila Kline]

Oh, so sorry I missed your beautiful expressions of faith when you had first posted it!! We need not have to explain why we believe when it is the heart and soul of us - of our spirit, our being!!!
Your words are dear to me!! I wholeheartedly agree!
Hallelujah!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Sheila! My life is complete when I have faith...

[Sami Khalil]

Faith is touching the rainbow on wet ground and waiting for the sunlight to peek from among the clouds.
A splendid read and write...

[Rita L. Sev]

Love that, Sami. Thank you so much...

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Joyce S. Greene]

Yes, I've always believed in something or someone greater than all of us. Everything is unimaginable otherwise - existentialism never appealed to me. You have expressed your faith with much fervor and love, Rita. Very nicely done.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Joyce. Truly appreciated - this was a piece very dear to me.

[s y e]

An amazing write as always from you Rita - wonderfully structured.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Noodle!

[OTownPete]

Belief is wholly subjective and the skeptics that pooh pooh them may be secretly seeking something for their own souls. Your friend in words, Pete

[Rita L. Sev]

I think that may be true of some people. Thanks, Pete

[rutherford]

Great expression of relationship between faith and reason. Attention getting opening scene. Enjoyed its flow.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, John

[Baby Ricochet]

No one can explain faith and everyone has faith in something

[Rita L. Sev]

Profound and true, Mark. Thank you!

[DrD]

When we relate the aesthetic to spiritual meanings, we find beauty such as in your work. Unlike you, my studies led me far away from the beliefs of youth but I still have that keen eye for a seductive cloud or the gossiping of a brook. I enjoyed tihs immensely.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, DrD. I have gone back and forth with my faith since my youth, but have found more joy in belief, and nature pulls me closer...

[Pryde Foltz]

This a splendid write, Rita. You are fortunate.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Pryde. Yes, I am. :)