bricks stacked and smoothed

designating a holy place

a place for Allah

 

Beneath the dome

an empty room, but for a memory

a meal once taken near the end

a place for Jesus

 

Beneath the upper room

an empty tomb, but for a memory

a king who sang and slew a giant

a place for David

 

Why do we need a dome

an empty room or a tomb

to revel in Your holiness

 

Can we not look

in the waters of the Jordan

to see Your face

 

Can we not stand on Sinai’s heights

to feel Your breath

in the wind

 

Can we not gaze at night

above the sands to realize

Your magnificence

 

Why can’t we look in a mirror

and know You are there

 

We must own You

You become something

we must hold in our hand

then we must fight to keep You

 

Do You smile at our folly

or are You saddened by our greed

does your heart break

with our bravado

 

I release my hold

I do not need to covet

a counterfeit copy of You

 

I will come to know You

I will hold a mirror in my hand

see within me a perfect part of You

 

I will gaze

into the eyes of others

and see Your smile

 

I will walk in the sun

and affirm the majesty

of Your creation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author’s Note:

My drive to school this morning gave me fodder for today’s poem. NPR Morning Edition related a story for this Holy Thursday. Seems Jewish leaders and my Catholic leaders are arguing over ownership of a building. The Cenacle is the place of contention being once a Muslim holy place, and currently a holy place for the other two groups.

 

The story saddened me knowing that a “thing” is causing such grief. And, I’m sure, a lot of money for everyone involved. This just adds to my disillusionment with organized religions and their rules and need for possession. We all have the answer. We all have been given incredible Holy Men who we don’t listen to. We forget or ignore them and then have to fight over a building because it is a “holy” place.

I missed writing a poem yesterday. The day was just not long enough. Please visit NaPoWriMo for inspiration. Or take a look at some of the others who are writing together this month with me!