Torah

Religion has a lot to answer for.

A fly,

fishing in the ointment

sea, stirs the pot

as the sun congeals

in an evening of sky.

A sinking feeling follows stars

as they spin on the earth's axis

until the sour breath

of morning's kiss

hangs like a fetid mist

upon the backdrop hills.

A prostitute

in fishnet tights

offers her

condolences

as dawn breaks

the heart of things

and God looks down,

a frown beneath

a flowing beard

as the son's of Adam

spits out apple pips

and broken teeth

and tries to repair

a twice used rib.

 

26/05/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I did not understand the significance of the Torah in this poem, but have the view that religion through the ages has been and continues to be the source of most conflict on our planet. When I was younger I attended church regularly, but then I became well and truly disillusioned by the hypocrisy I was witnessing. Your free verse poem has some great lines and the imagery is sharp. The prostitute who works to feed her children in my opinion deserves sympathy rather than judgement. Good morning John.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Morning Chris, As I explained to Edie, the title was simply a way of me stopping focussing on Islam and Catholiscism and 'spreading the love' as my cynicism for religion once again raises its ugly head. Many thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome :)

[Edie Blue Starfish]

I do not know much about the Torah, in general I don't know much about religion.
My parents never exposed me to it much. Maybe that's a good thing.
It does seem like much of the problems in the world are sparked by religion.
The poem is really good. I;m not sure the connection to the torah?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah the Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. I often write about my scepticism about religions of all types. I have written about Hinduism, Islam and Christianity mainly so I decided that although this piece has more veiled references to 'christianity' and religion to chose a different brand to highlight. Many thanks Edie.

[kentuck14]

John,
I would agree religion has a lot to answer for . . . but not God. I like the last lines of this poem . . . well written . . . I do believe God looks down on fallen man with a frown . . . not out of anger but out of sorrow. Your image of a physical world distorted by the reality of evil is apt. Indeed, in our emptiness we have "prostituted" ourselves on the altar of pleasure and found it to be empty. Yes . . . this indeed "breaks the heart of things" including God's. All together a thoughtful poem and one's honest reflection.
T.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Tom. As you will note I have a sceptical view of all religions and prefer the Hawking view of the universe and everything. I guess I am content to be falable and lacking imnortality even if in life I am still 'working on it' lol. Many thanks.

[kentuck14]

As friends together in poetry and our witness of life we each carry our own beliefs, and that is simply being human. To say I would not want to convince you of my beliefs would be dishonest. However I believe in showing respect for others . . . especially in those things we hold dear in our souls. As for me . . . I am extremely fallible and mortal in this particular world. In this we can agree. I appreciate that you are a poet who searches out what this life and world mean. We are both on that journey, and am glad to share it with you.
Tom