IF

Just wondering

 

If we could just stop revolving,

            Around the all-consuming ME,

If we took the time to contemplate,

            More than superficiality.

 

If the mind could wrap itself around,

            More than just the here and now,

If the heart stepped beyond its desires,

            Unencumbered by why, what, or how.

 

If we looked beneath the surface,

            Of color, faith, and sexuality,

If we stepped beyond boxed judgement,

            What awe-inspiring wonders we would see.

Author's Note

There is a young boy, at the HS where I work. He's 14. His mother was killed a couple years ago...and recently his father died from heart attack that the boy witnessed. He's been in several foster homes...the most recent one didn't keep him because the boy is gay, and might negatively influence their 12 year old son...according to their warped logic. I've never met a gentler, more respectful, sensitive child...and he was cast out less than two weeks before Christmas...by people who consider themselves Christians. The boy ended up in psych ward at a local hospital, with severe depression. I don't understand how people who claim to believe in God...can see him as a deity that only loves us if we meet certain criteria. IF I believed that to be true, I would never bend knee to that kind of God. In my mind, God sees beyond all the exterior trappings. He sees our heart...and he loves us regardless of gender, race, religion, sexuality, political party, or any of the plethora of other differences that divide humans. Stepping off my soap box now. :)

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

a lovely write, the bible is so homophobic, and i'm not gay either, but it is, and for centuries we have had paedophile priests. go figure the hypocrisy. a sad write. i do hope all goes well in a tragic journey so far for that child. The fact that just recently the Pope forgives those dirty priests disgusts me. lol I'm getting carried away, a sad write but worthy of attention.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Andrew. Yes, there is a lot of things that sicken the heart, but when we speak up, one small voice at a time, we make a difference, I think.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'IF'
ReedWrite'
In a complex and imperfect world full of a plethora of pain, good, love, hate, judgment and misjudgment. We have been given free will. We have been given the desire to do what we think is right. It's just difficult to witness the sometimes result of those that seem cast aside. What to do? Your above poem is totally grace because without caring and looking and seeing we will not act. Being reminded that we all matter and we all can care and pray and hope for better. Thank you for writing mirror to see outside oneself.
Kathy

[ROXANE DORSEY]

thanks for sharing this poem. i enjoy your poetry.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you...I appreciate that very much.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

i love this it is so true. i wrote a poem last week called the same
if but it is different to yours.
I loved yours morexx

[ReedWrite]

Thank you Juliespenhere...I appreciate that you took time to read and comment.

[UnderTheDeadPoetTree]

Asking the age old questions on the dilemma of the human condition in a new and refreshing way is never easy but you put it so wonderfully here, a pleasure to read simple truths.
-Dave

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Dave.
I appreciate the read and review.

[UnderTheDeadPoetTree]

Anytime, you have a real talent :)

[Robert Wallace]

This is inspirational and very intuitive. It leaves the reader with the gifts of promise and hope. I think a true use of written word. Thanks.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you very much, Robert. I appreciate the read and comment.

[.]

As an unabashed atheist, the words in your Author's note do not surprise me at all. As we have witnessed time and time again, it is those who profess to be closer to "God" that commit the most heinous crimes and possess the most blinkered approach to life.

Your poem is a plea for equality on all levels of life. Superficiality still reigns in this 21st century, and given the innate nature of humans, will probably continue to reign into the next century. Particularly since we now live in an era of unparalled self absorbed behaviour and dwindling human interaction.

A very moralistic poem. Touching and well written.

[ReedWrite]

You are quite right, Doodly...I agree with your summation. Thank you for reading and commenting.

[wordman]

i have learned over the years that most Christians are sunday morning christians,we should never judge God by christians,gay people are born that way,just like any birth defect,god is love

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Wordman.

[wordman]

my pleasure

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sage piece indeed to accompany such a sad tale of bigotry.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, John.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree with the below lines.
"If we looked beneath the surface,
Of color, faith, and sexuality,
If we stepped beyond boxed judgement,
What awe-inspiring wonders we would see."
I wish the above lines could become a way of life. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[ReedWrite]

Thank you so much, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.