Val enjoys writing prose in rhymes by always leaving a message of a life truism in each piece.

Introduction

Every major organized religion is preaching about divine love as that ultimate principle and force in the universe. Over two hundred parameters had to be provided for life to exist on this planet, and it simply had to involve a benevolent, loving intelligence to orchestrate all this into reality that we are heaving.

But then, with all that "higher wisdom" pointing to our need to live in harmony and love, we are not really heeding any of those teachings -- merely parroting them in our verbal rituals.

Wars, political deception, criminality, corporate dishonesty -- just some of our collective sins for which we readily find some sugarcoated excuses. Thus, what's really the point of "believing" in divine love, if we are just survivalists catering to arrogance, greed for possession and power, and using our hearts for hatred, intolerance, and pretense?

Now, with another Christmas approaching, I can't help but open that moral "can of worms", questioning this "designated time" for love, expressed closeness, and collective rejoicing.

Out of that wondering about our seasonal awareness of divine love comes this inspiration for the next pieces of my prose in rhymes -- as they are questioning our very capacity for experiencing and promoting that divine love.

I have no time to hate people who hate me, because I'm too busy loving people who love me.

-- Anonymous

Wisdom of Love and Hate

In those far away dense Himalayan woods

not knowing each other, and in distant caves

dwelled these two ascetic and meditating dudes

wise men by beard, and by the way they behaved.

After many years of their solitary peace

one day by chance they ran into each other

so they sat in the shade of some very old trees

both excited and thrilled like finding a lost brother.

"What made you choose this loneliness and bore?"

wanted to know the one with shorter thinning hair.

"Well, I left people so that I could love them more"

said the other wise dude with a blind man's stare.

Then he rushed to explain after a sad, long sigh:

"When I was with them, they just made me pissed

and I couldn't love them no matter how much I tried

so in order to be loved more -- they had to be missed."

The other kept nodding with a tear in each eye

and then he said with a voice as if from grave

"I had a real hard time to say my 'Good bye'

and harder to get used to the damn cave."

"So why did you leave, if you care to say?"

"Well, a village dude -- in a likeness of you

left to the mountains to find wisdom in cave

so my father kicked my ass with only one clue

not to come back before the other one would do".

Now, the other dude, holy and wise as could be

spoke like a prophet who got sudden solemn call

Let us go back, you and I, to be both happy and free

I miss hating people more than I am loving them at all."

And so they left.

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

-- Blaise Pascal

If God Is Love, Where Are All Lovers?

So many were born, not out of love but lust

and life may be spent void of love and odd

then so many warriors have kissed the dust

falling in the big name of some unloving god.

Eons have passed since the Word was spoken

one about sacrifice, compassion and love

but so often that faith has been broken

with a left story of heaven above.

If there are true lovers they must live in hide

humble after taming their wicked heart

reluctant to claim a deity as a guide

being just enlightened and smart.

You may hear others too loud and clear

prophets of a doom, one kind or other

preaching about evil, how end is near

all hateful, but calling you a brother.

So strange is this world with all that belief

often unclear if they are coming or going

burying all loving and showing no grief

merely reaping what they are sowing.

So many gods, each with love as his name

in this world wallowing in war and pretense

where are all lovers or is it really the same

loving or hating in godless lack of sense.

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up -- they have no holidays.

-- Henry Youngman

Divine Love Stripped of Labels

Whether it's Christian or Hindu heart

there is no label of love that better sells

and it just looks so futile trying to be smart

over sounds of church's or a holy cow's bells.

Symbols that divide us in faith and reason

make of human history such a crazy story

with loving and hating having their season

and an insane violence basking in its glory.

Where are those gods when human hearts go cold

like some heavenly cops hiding in dark places

feasting on holy doughnuts in chariots of gold

only in some books showing their faces.

Maybe love is better without that fancy dressing

into those symbols that confuse human mind

nakedness is always more of a blessing

whether love is divine or of other kind.

Indeed, love is one in a child and in a sinner

hearts beating same under any kind of skin

there's no need to call some of them cleaner

since no love is sinless to name other a sin.

So, could we proclaim such stripping as divine

freeing our hearts from symbols and names

from every label and discriminating sign

free from all those separating games.

Someone reading my satires might think I've lost my sense of humor. Wrong.

© 2020 Val Karas

Comments

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on December 12, 2020:

Val,

I think this part..After a discussion with a person with a degree in theology, he told me (more than half century ago): "Val, I think you are closer to God than many very religious people I know -- even though you hardly mention God".

Actually does describe you.

You can sense and have the ability to see things many people cannot come close to understanding.

As for the Elvis Song....Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas"...I would love to see it actually happen.

Enjoy your night.

Val Karas (author) from Canada on December 12, 2020:

Brenda -- Picking out one detail from your comment: After a discussion with a person with a degree in theology, he told me (more than half century ago): "Val, I think you are closer to God than many very religious people I know -- even though you hardly mention God".

As for Christmas being overly commercialized -- yes it is. But also, yes, many people would agree with one person who said: "Christmas is not a season, it's a feeling". And, since I am quoting a lot here, why not mention Elvis's song "Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas".

Thank you for another nice comment, my friend. You enjoy your life as well. I know you will.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on December 12, 2020:

Val,

The video reminds me of the phrase "Do as I say.. not as I do."

There are alot of moral aspects in life that come under scrutiny.

I do wish people would come to find this kind of joy they have at Christmas during the other 11 months of the year.

I know you do not believe in a divine force but there must be something other than the great sales at department stores that opens up people's hearts.

The words in your poetry speak of questions that there are no clear answers, other than we do miss one another if we are not there for each other.

So regardless of how far the world is between us I have an ear to listen if you ever feel the need.

That too...amazes me that technology has advanced enough for people to communicate across the globe.

But they say...Everything has a purpose.

Your writing certainly does.

Take care my friend.