Psalms in prayer from a parish in Prague
Muezzins mustering from mosques in Mashhad
Incantations in India, Dinka drums deafening
Baha’i and Buddhist brainstorming beliefs
Holy Hebrew homily hailing Hanukkah
Small Shinto shrines soliciting sprites
Discordant words beg all souls to be peaceful
Riding their camels through eyes of their needle
Beautifully structured, a well thought out message and a superb ending. Wow image! Loved it all.
Thanks Sonya – your considered analysis and positive feedback is both welcome and gratifying.
Prayers ascending to heaven that allow a camel to pass through the eye of a needle at last.
Glad that you took from this piece – thanks DVH.
Very beautiful journey through faith, liked it very much.
Delighted it worked for you – I appreciate your taking the time to read and give me feedback. Thank you so much MM.
Welcome Mike, keep writing 🙂
I LOVED the alliterative allegory, I was fascinated with the form and function which found its mark; … I BELIEVE that all of our religious realms are merely gathering points along our trajectory to the TRUTH…the basic tenants of each group are the same…and have provided the foundations for civility …. But if we pass through these “gates” on our way to the light and truth…. Do we not get further from our religions and closer to each other?
Thanks for your complimentary remarks and your insightful interpretation.
All the words just rhythm so beautifully… Like it…
So pleased that you enjoyed and shared your thoughts – thank you.
very, very good!! We should keep this in mind each and every day!!
Kind words and a kindred empathy – thank you Kathleen.
Love this poem, Mike, especially the word plays.
I’m pleased that this piece works for Angela and really appreciate your saying so. Thank you kindly.
The less we burden ourselves with, the easier it is to slip through the eye of the needle.
You’ve presented a vast landscape in a few lines.
Peace,
Eric
Peace indeed Eric and thank you for amplifying the theme with your trademark acuity.
I’ve always liked that little throwaway line of JC’s about the rich man and the camel and whatnot. Nice to see you using it here. Hope the righteous and rich caravan gets stuck in it though.
You’re right about this much quoted metaphor Jane (even if I somewhat bent it to my will). Thank you.
You’ve shown Swinburne to be a pitiful poetaster when it comes to the powerful potential of alliteration. Excellent work, Mike. — Ron —
Just a device here to contrast harmony and dissonance Ron but I’ll gladly file your great compliment away for my next bout with writer’s drought. Many thanks.
penetrating memories, intrigue dark beauty into holy solitude …when I can read between the lines and seize the structure of your play – peaceful and beautiful Mike
You have sharp insight Maria and I thank you for you kind consideration.
Needle gate…ha, clever! Made me smile. What inspires you, I’m curious..?
Thanks Jackie. This is my 4th edit of an answer to your question: I don’t know. Sorry – but you’ve certainly set me thinking…
That’s a big question. Maybe I should rephrase. Let’s try this: Maybe you get inspired by daily sights and sounds, or something on the news or in the paper or in a novel that you think would be great reinterpreted as a poem. Does it inspire you the thrill of boiling long narratives down to the most concise eloquent essence? Getting to the root of it in rhyme? And then again, maybe there is no answer… Although now you’ve set me to thinking…what’s it like to be a poet in today’s world? Hmmm…
eMail on the way Jackie – check Junk for ‘aussiemandias’.
Alive and alert with alliteration, I’m left whirling like a Dervish!
Discordant pleas, harmonious words – contrasting approaches to the problem. Thanks and lovely to hear from you (:
Powerful! 😮
I thank you for this kind compliment Tayyeba.
Love the image too! Perfect complement for your powerful prose.
Thank you kind sir, I’m pleased you enjoyed.
I love that last line. Very powerful.
Thank you joe; you divined it well.
Love the image – and the effective use you make of alliteration and assonance. You’ve kept it short – and it suits the topic. Lots to recommend this one, Mike 🙂
What wonderful words Polly – like you’ve looked inside my head. Many thanks.
Absolutely am astounded… awesomely amazing alliteration…
Christina your reply is not just welcom, it is noted 😀
Thank you for joining in.