poem

[tigriswolf]

Title: Author
Written February 21, 2016

I’ve been pondering my thoughts on religion recently, for reasons I won’t go into unless asked. I’m agnostic, technically was raised Methodist, and attended a Baptist school for 13 years.

Asking questions to which there are no answers
Asking questions for as long as I think
Don’t tell me what to believe
I’ll find my truth myself
.
I’ve read your book
I’ve read so many stories
And there so many things that are the same
Across time, across cultures
I’m not built for blind faith
And who am I to say another’s truth?
.
Don’t tell me what to believe
I’ll seek it myself
I’ll wonder and I’ll write
I see stories the world over
I see stories as people live and love and lie
And I’ll ask the questions the words cause
Because this is my truth for my life
.
I was raised on stories
I’ve written them all my life
I know how it goes
If mine last as long
As those shoved down my throat –
.
I bite my tongue
Because there’s a time and a place
And causing hurt is not my aim
Why should I shake someone’s faith?
But I’ll thank you kindly
To keep your preaching to yourself
And perhaps to think on your hypocrisy
If you’ve the analyzing skills to see it
.
Don’t tell me what to believe
And I won’t throw my questions in your face
If you’ve never wondered…
But perhaps you’re built for blind faith
.
I’ll find my truth for myself
And I’ll be content
Because stories are what I know
And telling stories is what I do
And questioning in order to create
Is what I was born for
So don’t tell me what to believe
And maybe listen instead of speaking
And perhaps your faith will blossom
As you defend your author against my
Blaspheming tongue and my heretical lies –
If that’s the way your story goes
I promise I’ll be fine
.
But I am the author of my life
I’ll find my own truth
And I’ll write
I’ve been questioning since I learned to speak
Perhaps there are no answers
But I’ll ask ‘til the words run out

Comments

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Another great poem!

My parents aren't religious (in fact, my Dad is pretty anti-religious, despite technically being Presbyterian) and I realized at a very young age that the stories in the Bible were the same kind of thing as the Greek myths I loved.

[tigriswolf]

Thanks!

Yeah, after I was grown and somewhat set in my beliefs, my mother admitted that she thinks the bible is just a storybook, like any collection of fairy tales. I sometimes picture saying that at my old school and I'm not sure if terror or hilarity would ensue.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

I said it in class, but didn't get much chance to hear reactions, because we went right into the next topic.