Rest Assured

Rest Assured

i am a born again atheist

oh, God does exist

in some world,

maybe mine, maybe not

afterlife is something i have thought of before

but before life

i couldn't imagine

i was only a figment of imagination myself

carried in the belly of indecision

whose rights are broken

like an umbilical cord

on a night of laborious prayer

heaven could be just out of reach

even with the most solemn oath

sprung in the name of faith

deities are sparse in my spiritual diet

after dinner, 

i will resume that search

he's out there somewhere

i am almost certain of it

imagination is my twin.

erin-cilberto

5/18/22

Reviews

[Louisa Chan]

Oh Jacob, I really enjoyed this one.
It has that lingering between certainty and uncertainty - you're almost certain of it, yet uncertain, imagining...which is pictured so nicely through the verse here.
The fact that you're a born "again" atheist affirms your imagination that there may be an afterlife?
I'm fascinated by your metaphors in this stanza:
"carried in the belly of indecision
whose rights are broken
like an umbilical cord
on a night of laborious prayer"
so poetic!
"imagination is my twin"!
And the title "rest assured" means you would like to be assured of an afterlife when you finish this life?
(You may be interested in the last line in my "The number that matters most" : )
I can't really comment on your "uncertainty" here, cos I sometimes am certain, and sometimes uncertain too, but your poetic talent is "rest assured" here : )
Louisa

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Louisa,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I find it hard to believe too, what I can't see. My thoughts have changed considerably about God and the hereafter since my enthusiasm for church going ceased as a young adult. I ask the questions all the time. I don't get the answers and when I see the misery inflicted on innocents in this world, I shrug my shoulders even more. How can there be, I ask myself. But I too continue to ask the questions and search which means I haven't completely given up. Thought provoking and understandable write dear J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the never ending search for faith or reasons to not have it.
thank you for your understanding review, Chris,
j.

[lightsong]

What is the wonderful about this poem, that it doesn't speak about being lost. it speaks about searching and finding answers, and we are until our last breath but students here, and in all the knowledge we know, we still know a little about all the existences and universes... You can find comfort in some other humans beings who are close to You and share your thoughts, we are all in this... so "Rest Assured" Mr. J, smile and write :>

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding review, lightsong.
I admit to be close to this poem as far as it being a bit personal....I do have so many questions...
maybe like Dickinson...I can't believe what I can't see...or I can't be sure of what I don't see.
thanks again,
j.

[lightsong]

You are so welcome again, asking qustions is not wrong at all (unless we crossed the edge and became crazy lol I have been there before) it spreads your awareness and open your mind to find and even accept new things. as for me personally, I have one answer for You here,

"if it You can't see it, it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist" :> all about the feeling, and what You feel. most importantly, be comfortable of whom You are and don't try to be someone who is not You dear Mr. j :>

[John the Baptist]

I'm guessing the speaker here is not Padre Pio. Sounds more like an agnostic than a flat out atheist. In other words, Big G may be there, maybe not. The most frightening thought is that we created him in our image.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, that is very frightening....
I find most who profess to be atheists aren't all that sure...
thank you, John,
j.

[keith]

a good write jacob and putting such to paper is a good start
the toughest trials of man are himself
all the answers lie within not out there
out there is just stuff blocking our way, confused pursuit not needed
sit down, breath, stop thinking, just be you and find there is no answer because there is no question
forget all the hocus pocus just be ...
go piss in the ocean because you can, not because it's kool
metaphorically or for real

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, keith...
j.

[Desert Knave]

This speaks to the part of my non-believing mind which is absolutely convinced that if a "G-d" is not out there, then there MUST be some sort of occasional interference by some Karmic being with a truly caustic sense of humor. Very nice write. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Jim...yes, so many questions to be answered later.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

A Diamond is to be polished before it rests in the Cradle of 💗 Love… are we drawn to fiction or truth… that is the question of Hamlet.. to be or not to be…. tenderly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh and that madness in Hamlet...
questions galore...answers to come later.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Whatever you say… madness is necessary in our World. Mad about you is Romantic; however, being a Mad Leader is frightening.
Deliriously Sane could be a Problem. Alas…