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Other Faiths

Some say you are lost If you are not found On their ground Some think you are blind If you do not find What they find I am an atheist who believes The universe is a tapestry Not a thread The science to chart the stars Is but a celestial church That medicine and vaccines Are answered prayers That communities Can save each other That math and music Language and learning Rebuilding destruction And regretting a wrong Are inherent miracles That to plant a tree Water a garden Kiss a scar Soothe a bruise Give a smile Hug a sorrow Cook a meal Play a song Clasp a hand Bandage a cut Wipe a tear Hear a need - Is divine I believe the soul of nature Is sacred and a rainbow's refraction Is all the more radiant For the formula it contains I believe the finitude of life Makes a more precious day And, to my friends of other faiths I believe - we can meet halfway. 4/27/20 (this was inspired by a poem I read by Anil Deo called Any Athiests out there - thank you for your kind response to my novella-of-a-comment, Anil!)

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Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 5/14/2020 9:30:00 AM

Back for more. Thrilled to see it on the Best New Poems list. xomo

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/14/2020 11:24:00 AM

Always a treat to hear from you, Mo:)

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/13/2020 2:12:00 PM

Hello Michelle Faulkner, You have really spoke your mind in this poem. Enjoy your day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/14/2020 6:19:00 PM

Your welcome Michelle Faukner. Enjoy your evening my friend.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/14/2020 11:24:00 AM

Thank you for your comment, Darlene, appreciate it-

John Hamilton

Date: 5/9/2020 5:28:00 PM

Very nice write Michelle, it saddens me that so many turn away from belief in God, because of what badness that those who supposedly represent him do. I understand the indignation about the hypocrisy that exists in false religion. i think belief in God isn't really connected with what happens at death, it's all about life...how did we get here. The fibonacci sequence is enough for me to believe in a Creator, I accept each person chooses their own path, and rightly so!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/9/2020 9:21:00 PM

Thank you for your comment, John - I also believe each of us should choose our own path - and there is more than one way to our personal truth.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/3/2020 9:00:00 AM

I am a Christian and still I believe you have traveled closer to God with these words than many who profess a dead and selfish faith. When I encounter beauty such as is expressed here, it strengthens my faith. Life is to wondrous to have happened by time and chance. Hugs Rick.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/4/2020 9:27:00 PM

I think the ones helping, and being kind and forgiving, have more real faith than the rich preachers who care only about lining their pockets - thank you for your insightful comments-

Judy Ball

Date: 5/2/2020 4:24:00 PM

Well said Michelle. I believe as you do though I am a total Believer in my God who created all things and loves all things. Too much wrong is done in the Name of Almighty God. that is Man's doing, not God's. People are fallible. they make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes are at great cost to the world. This is a fine write and says so much. Great job. God Bless, JB

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/2/2020 6:50:00 PM

I agree that a lot of war and sin are committed in the name of God - thank you so much for commenting, Judy.

Susan Ashley

Date: 5/1/2020 9:26:00 PM

I love the tender, humane spirit of your poem, Michelle. This profound piece is expressed with an elegant eloquence deep and rich with love. A beautiful revelation of your shining nature, my friend. Your thoughts are magnificent and your poem is exquisite, dear poetess. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/2/2020 1:08:00 PM

You are always so eloquently generous, Susan, I am humbled by your warm words!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/1/2020 11:07:00 AM

This is very lovely! I have to disagree with one thing. Vaccinations. Some of them are dangerous and doing opposite of what they claim to be. Dirty secrets they are trying to keep from us. Otherwise, your message is well recieved.

Rico Leffanta
Date: 5/6/2020 2:10:00 PM

If doctors had DNA reports establishing genetic risks for each patient, not only would dangerous reactions be reduced, but insurance payments to doctors filing false claims would SUBSTANTIALLY be reduced! Aloha! Rico

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/1/2020 6:46:00 PM

I think, except for a few rare anomalies where there was a negative reaction, vaccines are safe and beneficial to most people - so I guess we will agree to disagree - thank you for your comment, Andrea!

Anil Deo

Date: 5/1/2020 2:28:00 AM

Gorgeous poem! Thanks Michelle: you are a winner, no need for saving. That is what they YOGIS showcase. I was once a member of Baltimore Ethical Society (founded in the 1860s by philosopher also named ADLER)

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/1/2020 6:41:00 PM

I am glad of the chance to learn something new from you, Anil, you are a wise and serene soul-

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 4/29/2020 9:01:00 PM

*~YES~* ...now off to find Anil's poem, xomo! Oh, and fave.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/29/2020 10:30:00 PM

Xoxoxoxo, Mo :)

John Watt

Date: 4/28/2020 7:31:00 PM

Michelle, this is exquisite poetry - digging down to the very core of self and personal convictions. Brava for your courage to state your innermost beliefs so eloquently. I wholeheartedly accept your kind invitation to meet halfway. Let's not let faith prevent what poetry provides - a meeting of open, inquiring minds and a respectful support of talents and insights. Love your section "to plant a tree... to hear a need". And "math and music" made me smile! Going into my faves, brilliant!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/28/2020 10:58:00 PM

I am so touched and humbled by your generous comment, John (and yes, the math and music line were a little of your influence!)

Rico Leffanta

Date: 4/28/2020 2:33:00 PM

All religion are simply a business using divine excuses to separate people from their property, usually by the "us" against "them" tactic. When, in the entire history of mankind, have you heard of any god worthy of that title? Loved your first two verses and your thoughts! Aloha! Rico

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/28/2020 5:52:00 PM

I do think religion, as a whole, divides more than unites - glad you liked this, Rico!

Jenish Somadas

Date: 4/27/2020 11:38:00 PM

That medicine and vaccines Are answered prayers..Wonderful thoughts..And, to my friends of other faiths I believe - we can meet halfway...Ended with a positive note.. Great write Michelle..

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/28/2020 2:15:00 PM

I much appreciate your kind comment, many thanks, Jenish-

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/27/2020 9:40:00 PM

This is a joy and an inspiration to me, Michelle. If I may, I'd like to suggest that were people to leave God out of the equation, then you'd have a union between all who hold life, animate and inanimate, to be sacred, to be infused with sanctity. :) More than halfway there!

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/29/2020 9:02:00 PM

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/28/2020 2:14:00 PM

I believe we would all benefit by focusing on what we have in common - so graceful for your support on this!

Jan Allison

Date: 4/27/2020 9:00:00 PM

a joy to read Michelle - I too have no faith, partly through upbringing - my parents were of different religions but also because I see so much bigotry and lies from those who claim to live christian lives. Going to add this gem to my faves:-) love it and bravo for putting your thoughts and beliefs into such an eloquent poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/27/2020 9:14:00 PM

That means a lot, Jan - I was actually a little nervous to post this one, to be honest.