Sweet Jesus had you but foreseen,
How men would take your name in vain,
Would squeeze and twist and bend your words,
And change the message they contain,
To suit their ends.
You’d fain return to Nazareth,
Take up your tools and in a breath,
Forsake the fickle preaching game,
Abandon there your global fame,
And be with friends.
A mortal man has not the power,
And neither did you make the claim,
To see beyond your Calvary,
How men would burn and kill and maim,
Because of you
I’m sure your gentle heart would break,
To see how knaves and fools forsake,
A doctrine so replete with love,
A gentle soul, a peaceful dove,
A humble Jew.
Oli (11/11/06) |
How True!
Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | | Oli - If you haven't hit the nail on the head in your words. It's true that people can twist words, looking for things that haven't been said. And if he came back today, I don't think he would find things any different than then. | Well Talisker
Written by johniebg (541 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | How true your words are, I wonder though whether you might have managed to get women in their to rhymn somehow I.e.
'How men and woman take your name in vain'
But then I am just a trouble stirrer. Loved this, so true.
Happy Christmas  |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | This is eloquently expressed and full of such truth.
When I was a child, I was often forced to sit and listen to religious arguments going on around me. Grown men who professed to love Jesus would quibble among themselves over piddling, arcane Biblical points and become amazingly worked up over trifles. Angry words were spoken, family feuds developed and matured.
The trick is to try and follow Christ's example. But it is not easy to love the fools and knaves and the men of power who pretend faith to gain a broad politiclal base.
Another fine poem, Oli. |
Written by ellipinnock (1753 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | I thought this was really strong and, as witzl says, eloquently expressed. High standard as usual 
Elli |
Written by rilLie (327 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | as above, eloquently expressed, strong end.
-rilLie | When two tribes go to war...
Written by gerardconnolly (1186 comments posted) 11th November 2006 | Eloquent as always, Oli and with the usual directness. A touch of the George Herbet in its almost naive simplicity.Well done. Its good to see you getting back to what you do best. Though I would not be your friend if I did not say I rather detect a tenor of mawkishness in some of the poetry you have posted lately.
As for my own opinion on this subject which appears to have excercised GW contributors of late, I find it best to keep my own religious sentiments- or lack of them- suitably Elizebethan, ie private. Growing up as I did in Eamon De Valera's Ireland my religiosity, such as it is, like Arnold's liberalism, is tempered with experience and renouncement.
For what it is worth, though I wholeheartedly endorse your point, I find myself somewhat with Josie on the more general issue. Anybody foolish enough to think we would be better served by a purely secularist society could do no worse than have a read of Simon Montefiore's chilling biography of Uncle Joe. Once an icon of new age secularism. Moreover it would be difficult to find any of the noblest and most humane causes that have been espoused over the last two hundred or so years without they encapsulated an element at least- and often a good deal more- of genuine Christian commitment. William Wilberforce prayed before every meeting ' without such as I place my hand into that of him who made me, I have no stomach for this fight'. Was he deluded? If so I think a lot of slaves are glad he was.
To end on a lighter note- though possibly one with its own lesson. It used to be popular in Ireland to in the sixties to argue who was worse; Hitler or Stalin? I can always remember an aunt of mine finishing one such heated debate by the trump ' At least Hitler was a Catholic!' Then of course she toddled off to do the flowers for the alter.
slan! | Hi talisker
Written by jean.day (2283 comments posted) 12th November 2006 | I really enjoyed this poem and the sentiments expressed which I must admit are not ones that I had previously considered.
| Thanks folks.
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 12th November 2006 | For the kind reviews. I think in a weak poem, at least I managed to strike a balance that had the "extremists" on all sides offering a hand of friendship. That seems worthwhile to me.
Ged, your review is as ever, more erudite than the original contribution. I agree with you all the way, religion has its place, so long as its not foisted upon those who chose not to have "faith". I'm not a secularist either. But on an "intellectual" level, its all hokum to me.
What you have given me this week Ged, is a mantra. Its been Rick O'Shea-ing around my empty skull for days;
"There is no place in a creative life for alcohol"
Someone's God bless you for that!
Oli
 |
Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 12th November 2006 | I liked this very much Oli. As you say - you managed to strike a balance - not an easy task.
All the best,
Phil. |
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