POEM: Alternate Theories, questions, doubt, heresy....

In this poem, Alternate Theories, I try to show the process of doubt that eventually leads a person away from religion. This wasn't my exact path, but I did follow a similar line. Scroll down for the text of the poem.

This is the version of Alternate Theories that i performed at the 2011 National Poetry Slam in Cambridge. I felt good about that performance for the White Plains, NY team - which got lots of finger snapping from other infidels! I had a more cryptic and histrionic version that I did at the Bowery Poetry Club last Jan. 26 in a regional slam.

A shorter version of this poem is my new chapbook "Tabernacle of Bees" from Puzzled Dragon Press.

Alternate Theories

"What's the appropriate attire for hell these days?"
That's what I asked the German priest, Father Gunter
"Will there be polka music in heaven? Lederhosen?
Pink mohawks and body piercing? flannel and kaki?
Or is it white robes all around -- and isn't that a bit dull?"

In those days I wanted information
and I had more serious questions...

"Say Father, why do we have the bodies we have
filled with animal energy and need and instinct
but we're not supposed to use them..."

"And while we are on the subject of animals
do my cats have a soul? Is a salad innocent
because it doesn't have a mind to question this way?"

"And while we are on the subject of minds
Father why do we have the minds we have
so capable of logic and analysis
but we aren't supposed to use that either
to get to heaven we need to be blind with faith..."

"And while we are on the subject of heaven
I'd like to know if there will be a war there?
I mean between believers in the waring religions.
And if you are killed in a battle in this war
is there another layer of heaven or hell to go to?
And if there is -- do you just keep fighting it out forever
in some infinite loop?"

At this point Father Gunter looked disturbed
I was pretty sure he was planning
an on-the-spot exorcism just for me.
He said to bring the cats on Animal Blessing Day
then he crossed himself and backed away without a word
on the possibility that multiple heavens and hells
are stacked like Russian dolls.

There's another possibility. Somehow
over the years, without meaning to
I have become a heretic. No a complete Infidel.

And now I regard life as a delicate rose, almost spent
but still a treasure cupped in my own uncertain hands.
Each petal still colorful and fragrant
Each petal, each passing moment in this
one, brief, beautiful life.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• catholic
• doubt
• priest
• heretic
• infidel
• soul
• heaven
• hell
• questions
• Spoken Word
• slam
• poem
• Mad Mar Walker

[thePuzzledDragon]

@DavidRandallCurtis Hey thanks for checking it out

[DavidRandallCurtis]

cool