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Sunday, January 26, 2020

AND ALL WE SEE...


























Good morning
Mister I'm Gonna Blow Up The World
And how are you today
praying to your God Of Territorial Disputes
getting ready to go out with a bang
probably never considering that
once you've enjoyed each of those 72 virgins
happily waiting for you
it may not seem like heaven any more
knowing the way your mind runs
but we never seem to think of the obvious

yes

it's important to fight for what you believe in
but I draw the line at my humanity

and no

God DOESN'T want you to do that
any more than he wants you to pop a fart and whistle Dixie at the library
and I don't know why you look at Him
and see petty
and vengeful
and finite
when I see infinite
like the classroom teacher who knows
you don't take sides in playground disputes
the main thing is for the little buggers to learn something
so you can pass them on to a higher grade
but we ain't there yet
so it's always us and them
and all we see is
an infidel
a nonbeliever
a heathen
an apostate
an unholy
unrighteous
wicked
blasphemer
Jesus
give me a break
what are the chances there's only one path to follow
and each of them shouting OVER HERE
even I can see
that's a mathematical impossibility
if we are all God's children
wouldn't it make more sense to think that
every
belief
system
may have at least a piece of the truth
and if we'd just put our heads together
and compare notes
the bigger picture might come
into sharper focus

but no

you're going to kill
in the name of your God Of The Partial View
in a crowded market
with a bomb strapped to your waist
you are no better
or worse
than the guy
who sends the misguided missile screaming through the sky
the aftermath is going to be just as messy

and oh

a bunch of women and children bit the big one that time
unintentionally of course
collateral damage
back to the drawing board
with a shrug
we're still the good guys
and none of our strutting Suits
have any regrets
I heard them say it
must be nice to sleep at night with NONE
of that on your conscience
you
poor
sad
crazy
numb
deluded
power junkies
too blind to sense
that you're going to be
on the wrong side of history
to a man
it's all a game to you
where the end always justifies the means
well hell
I know it's a game
but still I'd like to play
with as much integrity as I can muster
and be able to shake hands with my opponent afterwards
don't know if you can do that
when he's carrying his dead child in his arms
but you never have to view that close up
never once considering that it's all tainted
from beginning to end
and that nothing good can come from that
which proceeds from a starting point of evil
and that it will hound you
through this lifetime
and how many more
I can't say
your only salvation
your only hope
of escaping karma's
massive kick in the ass
is that maybe...
just maybe...
It's all a dream

50 comments:

  1. Isn't it amusing that many of the rewards people supposedly will enjoy when they reach their afterlife are carnal pleasures and wealth?

    You would think there'd be more profound joys to be had there than virgins or jeweled crowns.

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  2. BUBBA,
    The one I always have to chuckle about is "streets paved with gold." What are ya gonna need GOLD for...this is HEAVEN...get it?

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  3. Oh Tim, you have said a true mouthful here. This is exactly how I view it, too. Sigh. You have spoken this so well. It could not be said any better.

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  4. Yes, I agree with Sherry Blue Sky. So well said. : (

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  5. That should be posted in the native tongue in countries that breed pettiness and angry gods, oh, and in evangelical backwoods of America, too.

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  6. SHERRY, THINGY, SHARON,
    Ah...thanks for all that...sometimes the rant just comes and it takes over my body and makes me write that stuff! (And hair starts growing all over my body...wait a minute...there was ALREADY hair there!!! )

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  7. mind blower indeed but I know that human beings are rather immature and juvenile if they think they're going to blow the earth, and that there are no higher spirits to stop them...we are teenagers with our angst against the world...good write up Tim

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  8. I have recently written a poem about war on my blog Shrapnel and I have an older one Stigmata about religious wars specifically. You've done a fantastic job here. I have never been able to wrap my mind around killing for peace??? WTH For religion? Which should a standard for moral and ethical behavior. Killing the people you are supposedly trying to help how does that help? Its as you say about money and power and egos

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  9. The senselessness of all that we cherish... summed up into a few golden lines paved for the streets of heaven. Well shared.

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  10. Reflections said it all.
    a piece worthy digging.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  11. LORRAINE,
    Good point about higher spirits...lest we forget!

    MINDLOVEMISERY,
    Killing the people we're trying to help...exactly!
    And what kind of fools believe you can kill an IDEOLOGY by killing off its adherents...there will always be more to replace them...

    REFLECTIONS,
    You have stated that so eloquently--thanks!

    MAROUSIA, JINGLE,
    Thanks for stopping by--you look MAHVELOUS!

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  12. So powerfully put, Tim. Exclusivism under any guise is dangerous.

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  13. This hits in the solar plexus-- super job. I love "karma's kick in the ass"-- too bad we can't transmit this out to "their" world...xxxj

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  14. Whew, what great post. I imagine you delivering this message, up in a mountain or a synagogue among the non-believers or worshippers, and hitting your point.

    Nice to meet you~

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  15. Sometimes I hate blogger! I know I commented on this the other day :( Okay, take 2...

    Whenever religion (or anything) is used to control, it's not a good thing, but it's easier to manipulate than it to listen. And, you're right that nothing good can come from an evil starting place. Also, I know my other comment was better. Maybe one day it'll show up and then you'll see :) Good job!

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  16. scary stuff the things God asks...or maybe its just the interpretters that got it all jacked up...i have got to think that somewhere she is laughing to keep from crying...

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  17. 72 virgins.... I've yet to meet one on earth. lol Seriously, great work.

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  18. I enjoyed your point of view here, and I agree with your assertion that no good can come from something that starts with evil. How can violence breed peace? Great job!

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  19. Oh I would love to hear this read in a slam poetry reading.. Bam!!


    great stuff here!

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  20. Sharp and scalding. No, they never get close enough to the wet work to get anything on their manicured hands. If you have to have a cause worth dying for, why does it have to be murdering other people instead of helping them? I'll never figure that one out. Life is hard enough, being human is hard enough, without all that hate to carry around on top of it.

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  21. Yes I think the intrepration gets lost along the way but some nuts.

    Oh and "karma's massive kick in the ass"..hahaha nice!

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  22. VICTORIA, JEN, HEAVEN:
    Maybe I'll deliver it on my soapbox before I head for the mountaintop!

    LORI,
    Your other comment just showed up...recounting a harrowing tale of being lost in cyberspace!

    BRIAN, DUSTUS:
    Personally, I prefer the kind of expertise that comes with a little experience...LOL!

    DIEDRE;
    So nice to see you here!

    LYNNE,
    You've given me a good idea there...maybe I will let 'er rip in just such a manner!

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  23. JOY,
    In your intrinsically eloquent fashion, you have delivered a comment that is worthy of its own post! All I can do is refer you to my "About Me" blurb. That's the best way I can explain it.

    PAT,
    No one can really say what's in store for anyone beyond this realm...still, you'd think a little remorse might help their case for those at the top who, just as Joy stated, "never get close enough to the wet work to get anything on their manicured hands." They are ultimately responsible.

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  24. Amazing. You write beautifully, so precise yet so touching.

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  25. I remember "love one another" and "thou shall not kill" .... These say it all for me.
    Great write...you bring out so many good points....

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  26. beautiful, profound writing...thanks!

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  27. just saying...we have an eleven thousand virgin alley in basel...so probably that's the place to go...smiles...kick ass poem tim!

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  28. A POETIC LINE OF SUGAR:
    Welcome aboard the Good Ship Lollipop--I think this is just the place for YOU!

    HEARTSPELL, EVIL SQUIRREL:
    Great to connect with you again.

    CLAUDIA:
    So THAT'S where all of them went!

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  29. *sigh*
    you couldn't have put it better than that, Tim..
    I simply cannot bring myself to understand HOW in the world can we FIGHT in the name of GOD?!?!?!??
    But then again, reality sets in.. like a stain that refuses to leave your new attire! *again, sigh*

    Awesome message here, T!

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  30. this is fantastic and wonderful! dream or no, this is beautifully written.

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  31. KAVITA,
    It's what is called the illusion of separateness.

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  32. I see I read this first in 2011, and am appalled that it is so much worse now than it was back then. The opponent with the dead child in his arms - hurts the heart. I do believe all belief systems hold truth. Mankind has killed so many in the name of religion and all religions preach non violence. Makes no sense.

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    Replies
    1. Don't practice what they preach. Thanks for that, Sherry.

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  33. All I know is this.There is no sane man on this planet who wants to screw 72 virgins.

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  34. This is why I don't believe in the system of man... I think man needs to think for themselves instead of being managed by others.

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    Replies
    1. It's so much easier to let others do our thinking for us, or so many of us seem to believe.

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  35. I am fond of saying I picture God perched on His cloud, holding His head in weary hands, saying "No, no, NO, guys. That's not at all what I had in mind!"

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    Replies
    1. And then the big Director In The Sky yells, "CUT"

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  36. Amen I second that Well spoken and yes it must be all a dream ... or not :(

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    Replies
    1. It's the only scenario that adequately explains why all that happens happens...like any crazy dream you've ever had, tossing and turning in your bed.

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  37. I think I might start praying for that ‘maybe’!

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  38. We're all God's people ... Well, you must follow my book, see with my eyes, pray the only prayer, .... Oh and it all ends with everyone being slaughtered but us. Collect your heaven coupon...You get virgins...I get a mansion...on and on and on and on... Love this poem of things I wish I could say without out falling into jumble.

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    Replies
    1. SUSIE...thank you so much. We see so little, yet proclaim so much.

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  39. I believe "where" we are, is "where" we will end up. An interesting myth buster :)

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    Replies
    1. That's why those maps that say "You Are Here" are so helpful. :)

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