Linen sheets

~read author's note first~

Linen pillows and sheets,

Empty cars, frigid sleet,

Rigid stubs of lavender closet crystals, 

Broken spirits, charred blisters,

Buried believes,  musty scars.

Back in the dirt of our actions, 

alone we are.

Throw salt over shoulders,

and call upon the Holy Spirit. 

Staple rosaries to

trembling fingers. 

Every night's the same 

dream--

written in God's fine script

on my mind.

The storm of action mutinies. 

Listen, the grass is stirring outside.....

To the clashing sound of blades,

a tangerine sun hangs on the sky.....

Bring life to rejoice,

Death to rejoice further.

Shoulders hunched over Bibles.

Wooden crosses, with

stiff iron nails

line the walls.

Milk our bones of all faith,

make us kneel down

in the dust,

Bury us alive in

rose coffins, 

we would still find some 

Hope to trust...

Author's Note

I don't strive to degrage any religion. I have merely written this poem to show how religion, with its fixed believes and ideas, can kill a personal opinion. Even though, it does provide a support on which you can lean, or a harbor where you feel safe, it does not let you go ahead and discover your own believes. It passes down a set of rules that are to be followed, no matter what. It does not see into everyone 's individual opinion. Do you really think someone's believes, or the knowledge passed on by God can be bottled up in tiny books? Can we honestly try to bind people with different experiences and lives into one code of conduct? Is it possible to contain God in meagre churches, temples or shrines?

Reviews

[Bright Ocean Star]

Dearest Moon daughter, I believe that society without moral rules to follow would devolve into a chaos of rioting, selfishness, gluttonous orgies and thievery. Not much different from what we find on the headline news, is it? Think of how bad it would be if no one had moral rules to follow. My faith has sustained me through some harrowing, difficult circumstances. I believe that the intercession of certain wonderful saints asking for God's graces for me and my family saved my marriage and children. I saw first hand the cause and effect, the stimulus and the response. I don't believe in coincidences. I know how lost i was before I gave myself over to God completely. I live my life for Him first, and he feeds me and keeps me positive. My faith in my church evolved later, but the community that I have found there have become like family. That is a unique and powerful force for good in the world, and shouldn't be discounted easily. It isn't easy to follow the Big Ten, which is why we (in the Catholic Faith) have confession. It isn't easy for anyone. But go regularly, confess where you've messed up, and God heals you, forgives you, and helps you to start another day trying. I think it is important to keep trying to be the best, most loving person you can be every day. I fall down often and repeatedly. There are people I just don't like and I'm not perfect. But, I must keep trying. I loved this poem, by the way. Beautiful, insightful, lyrical, and fabulous...as always!

[Fernando Dardón]

Well I believe just what you said and agree with that, but I would add something more:
I guess religion is some kind of guide. Wether which one is "better" than another one? I Really don't know. Each religion has it's wrong sides but also it's good sides, let's remember that any Church is human comprised, and and we man-kind have mistakes. I personally think that religion doesn't kills your oppinion, and your way to see life, but it might do so when you don't know why you are doing what you are doing. People who really understand their religion and practice it (without hurting others in any way, that's important to menction) are not chained to it. No matter what religion you practice, no one can really make you believe if you don't want to believe.

BTW I loved this poem, because its instrinsic philosophy. I do not agree at all, but I loved it.

PD: sorry if I have grammar or spelling mistakes, I'm not a native English speaker :D

[Lenah Mehzabin]

The way you expressed your opinion in this poem is really appreciated.. but have you ever thought that the rules ,codes and conduct we are ordered to follow is something harmful or goes against morality ?we all have our own desire to lead our life in our way but have u ever thought that how much shallow we go being excess independent ?if there wasn't anything to control us then the earth would have been a alive hell where everyone could have gone against each other.. for example a nation without a president .think how much crime could be there ..i thief can think stealing others think is good for him and he is independent to do so bcoz for him this is right .. I know u are telling about one's own personal desires where religion becomes a wall but according in my religion there is thing called heaven where after ur worldly deeds u can do whatever u want to and there will be no lack of peace and disturbance but world is temporary place where u came to give exam nd soon we have to give account of our deed ( that's what i think if we talk about following religion) .. :)

[A Scribbler Named Bek]

This is a truly gorgeous poem, and even though I disagree with you completely, I still love your take on things. I actually just finished a class where all we did was discuss the meaning of life. Obviously religion came up a lot and I was truly surprised how all of the cultures we studied - from Anglo-Saxons, to Ancient Egyptians, to Greeks and Romans, to Christians - incorporated religion into their meaning of life (or at least the meaning we interpreted for them). I've met many people who think that my religion is controlling and stifling (I'm LDS) but the way I see it, the 'rules' we follow are the very things that allow us freedom. I love my church and its doctrine and willingly follow the suggestions set forth by church leaders not because I have to but because I want to. My religion does not control my beliefs. In answer to your last question, I think that is one of the greatest things religion has done for us: it disregards the outward appearance of people, their social status, their health, their different experiences and lives, and provides the opportunity for the true self to appear. I really do believe that inside we're all amazingly similar. Religion lets us see that.
Anyway, I could go on all night. But I won't because I'm so tired I keep forgetting how to spell 'the' which is always a bad sign.
Once again, I love your poem! Thank you for sharing your views with us! :)

[Ana B.]

I agree with you here dear author :) i think, and no offence to any religion indeed, but sometimes these beliefs can cloud our mind....make us not think clearly and therefore we miss the truth. I think a person should be able to see and look beyond the given standarts and i'm really glad you see it this way. I believe that there is The Creator, and we are loved by our creator.....just the thing is.....i don't think we need an intermediary for connecting with The Source.

[writing mojo]

I like the rhythm to this perspective piece, it's very catchy and evokes the correct settings to get your point across in the most poetic way...the transition from first person view to third person view is brilliant, no dry spots, or dept to fill. this flows into a conclusive thought through the process of observation through inspiration..excellent piece

[Woody]

I'm a religious man (of sorts) but I like the way you approach such a delicate subject. particularly what you've written in the author's notes.
well done!

[Daydreamer]

Not really sure if I can post my opinion :/

[elvenom]

My my, such brilliant writing! The "awakening" type, such type of writing that makes a person think deeply about something on philosophical level adds, in my opinion, even more beauty to the piece. Great work. Your choice of words it really amazing. I loved this very much

[C. Rose]

"in the dirt of our actions" "musty scars" "stiff iron nails" "milk our bones" - the first five lines: those are my favorites lines of this piece.

It make me feel dusty, uncomfortable, in awe, concerned.

Well done.

[Emily]

I love how you started it!
Keep it up!

[FOih;]

With my personal walk with Christ through the Spirit, I find I am not handed down edicts to follow but rather urged one way or another as I stumble and try to run when I should simply walk in faith.

Faith Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Is that such a bad rule to have or line to walk?