Kindly Comfort
The Universe is ever kind,
I tell myself. It may be true.
At any rate I soothe my mind
with such-like platitudes, a few.
I tell myself it may be true
that God is good and all is well.
With such-like platitudes, a few,
I walk, I swear, in Heaven not Hell.
That God is good and all is well
is possibly not an outright lie.
I walk, I swear, in Heaven, not Hell,
and can find spurious reasons why.
It’s possibly not an outright lie
that we are headed for salvation.
I can find spurious reasons why
this world itself is not damnation.
That we are headed for salvation
is kindly comfort in our plight.
The world itself is not damnation,
we hope and pray, seeking light.
It’s kindly comfort in our plight;
at any rate I soothe my mind
with hope and prayer, seeking light –
the Universe is ever kind!
Written for dVerse Poetry Forms – The Pantoum and for Poets United's Midweek Motif ~ Kindness.
I hesitated to share such a cynical-sounding piece – a subversion of the Kindness motif. It's not really my way of thinking, more of a dummy-spit actually, because I'm sad just now. However – although I must acknowledge that I have been in receipt of many sweet acts of kindness, which I could well have celebrated and had expected to celebrate – the many problems in our world and our lives lead some people to think the things this poem says. For me it's a mood, for others it may be a lasting world view which they perceive as well-founded. I feel I should apologise for sharing something so pessimistic – but it has validity as part of the human experience, so....
This is entirely appropriate, and very welcome! Another day will come in which celebration is due.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed being drawn into the process of forming a belief despite the doubts. The repetition within this form is perfect for that. My favorite doubt is "I can find spurious reasons why
this world itself is not damnation." I too struggle with this. My poem today came from a worshipful vision even more cynical in its way: Only Loving is left--there is nothing else earth wants from us--nothing else left to do. You may have felt that. Like my short story, the poem holds its breath.
I enjoyed the poem, loved the last stanza and the rhymes.
ReplyDeleteThe universe is kind enough but its those humans that somehow got on Earth that are the problem. We are forgiven for eating things because we are hungry but not for killing things just for fun.
ReplyDeleteThe positive note of kindness and all being well weaves through this poem, Rosemary. In these times, I think it is normal to see both states existing at the same time. I am always encouraged in times of trauma, as then human reaches out to help human, no division.....our true state, as we are meant to live. It seems to be our universal instinct, and I find great comfort in that.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot there I agree with, though I might not have articulated it so kindly! You're right, it is not negative or cynical..it is part of the human experience to question and seek.
ReplyDeleteI think this is really well written Both sides are part of the human experience and although there are so many bad things going on I see a lot of good things happening as well. The children are standing up everywhere The resistance is growing worldwide and there will be change Hopefully not too late
ReplyDeleteAh, this cynicism is beautiful because it narrates a certain viewpoint to living in despair — it is as much a part of the human experience as anything else. I tend to dwell in such believes and I understand how difficult it is to believe that the world or the ubiquitous nature of being human is kind. Perhaps it doesn't have to be, perhaps the thought that it may be so is the only comfort we can get.
ReplyDeleteThis is so good: "The world itself is not damnation,/we hope and pray, seeking light."
Truth is unpalatable sometimes but we accept it as part of life. I love the form and the sharp tone.
ReplyDeleteyou may say it is pessimistic but i see truth and reality, your first and last quatrain is excellent. sadness is a human reaction, sometimes we forget it is also good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI have such thoughts often. The only one who is going to save the world is us, sadly.
ReplyDeleteYour pantoum flows beautifully.
I liked this poem very much, Rosemary. Such platitudes as "God is good and all is well" sometimes get on my nerves. There is a lot that is not good or well in this world. Sometimes there is truth within platitudes though, and as 'we hope and pray, seeking light' we often find what we want in THAT act. I do understand the sadness, Rosemary. No need to apologize.
ReplyDeleteA really lovely pantoum!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your stepping forth with honest existential ambivalence. There is humility and balance in acknowledging not knowing. There is also your validated experiences with being treated kindly. Platitudes aren't bad in and of themselves when you know they are a way of self-soothing.
ReplyDeleteFirst line, last line, all lines of the poem that we call life...it's all wrapped up in kindness. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI really like (love!) the writing. The form isn't an easy one to craft, and you've done it so wonderfully well that you made it look... easy. Also, as you already know (since you selected it), the form is a great choice for the topic--the sing-song tone and rhythm make the reading of a truth, which is quite horrible, a bit easier to digest. And these days, when things are terrible enough to make this poem timely and necessary, we can certainly use something that eases the swallowing of tough happenings without taking away from just how hard they are.
ReplyDeleteI love this poem of thinking on two sides. The form was perfect.
ReplyDeleteI like to think the universe is kind and has some sort of divine plan but, there are days I wonder as I see new storms on the horizon. I am left wondering what state is between heaven and hell and would it be a place of comfort.
ReplyDeleteIt might be cynical, but I think you ended it in something that was almost hopeful... maybe it all depends on us to create such a way... not with prayers but with real actions
ReplyDeleteI believe in that brightest of light and kindness despite all the darkness around us. Thanks for reminding us that kindness is always there.
ReplyDeleteI believe that belief is far over-rated, only because we over rate our own minds. Yet the ability to hold uncomfortable conflicting ideas in tension is an art which you have captures so, so nicely here. Really enjoyed.
ReplyDelete